Backlash against Elon Musk continues in Europe, as sales have been on a downward spiral for five consecutive months, several news outlets reported on Thursday. Tesla sales fell 28 per cent last month in 30 European countries, while overall EV sales expanded sharply, according to AP.
“The poor showing comes after Tesla’s billionaire CEO had promised a ‘major rebound’ was coming last month, adding to a recent buying frenzy among investors,” the Associated Press wrote. In April, Tesla sales plunged by 49 per cent to 7,261 from 14,228 the same month in 2024, the Washington-based news agency added.
Tesla’s European sales have now declined for five consecutive months as customers switch to more affordable Chinese EVs and, in some cases, in protest against Musk’s political views. Overall, electric vehicle (EV) sales increased by 25 per cent in Europe compared to the same period last year. The market for battery EVs was robust in Germany, where Musk has irritated potential buyers by publicly supporting the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative für Germany party in elections. In general, EV sales there leapt 45 per cent.
Car sales in Spain and Germany
Among the largest EU markets, new car sales of all types in Spain and Germany rose 18.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively, while in France and Italy they dropped by 12.3 per cent and 0.1 per cent, respectively, Reuters reported.
Chinese manufacturers continued to experience strong growth in Europe in May, despite EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The Asian country’s EV makers sold 65,808 cars, doubling their market share to 5.9 per cent, according to data released separately by Jato Dynamics on Tuesday.
China’s SAIC Motor showed the most substantial growth in May by selling 38 per cent more EVs and other types of autos in Europe, allowing the company to surpass Tesla, which had been selling more cars in the region a year ago.
Musk’s robotaxi roll-out
Tesla’s sales plunge comes at a critical moment for Musk’s EV manufacturer as it rolls out its driverless ‘robotaxis’ test trial in Austin, Texas, as reported by Euro Weekly News on Monday.
Musk said that if that goes well, he expects to introduce the service in several other cities in quick succession and have as many as a million of the automated cabs on the roads by the end of the year.
Reviews so far have been mostly positive, but the service is currently limited to a dozen or so cars. Some passengers have shared videos of problems they encountered during their rides, including one showing a robotaxi heading down a lane against the flow of opposing traffic.
