Sales of new Tesla electric cars in Europe have slumped amid a growing backlash against CEO Elon Musk’s political ties and interventions. The data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) shows registrations for new Teslas halved in April compared to the same month last year, despite a broader rise in battery electric vehicles overall.
The decline is attributed to the brand damage caused by Musk’s support for far-right parties and his association with Donald Trump. Experts say the company may be suffering from its lack of presence in the hybrid market, where many motorists remain wary of going fully electric.
While Tesla has reported a 13% drop in vehicle sales in the first quarter, shares have rallied by about 25% in the past month as reports suggest Musk will reduce his involvement with Trump. However, overall demand remains weak, and the company faces stiff competition from local brands such as BYD in China.
The latest data also shows that Tesla’s UK market has been particularly affected, with just 512 new vehicles registered in April, down 62% from last year. This decline is a significant blow to Musk’s efforts to boost sales in Europe, which is now the company’s weakest market.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/may/27/sales-of-new-tesla-electric-cars-sliding-across-europe-amid-backlash-against-musk