Tesla's European sales skid by as much as 70%

Tesla is facing a huge downturn in European sales. The latest data reveals a decline like never before, especially in Germany that once was the most important market for the company. The reasons might be complex, but the numbers paint a clear picture: Tesla is facing a serious challenge in Europe.

Tesla's German deliveries plummeted in February by a whopping 70% compared to last year. Only 1,429 new Teslas were registered, in stark contrast to over 6,000 delivered in February the year before. And this dramatic drop is not isolated - France, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden have also reported big decreases in Tesla sales.

In February, Tesla's total European sales were down by over 40% compared to the previous year. The UK was the only country that showed a slight increase, when most other major markets experienced substantial declines. The Netherlands and Portugal also reported decreased sales, with Portugal seeing a significant drop to just 547 deliveries. Spain was showing a slight improvement over January, but it is still down 44% year-to-date.

One explanation for the decline is the new Model Y changeover. Unfortunately, data suggests that this is not the sole factor. Model 3 sales are also down, with Germany seeing a 40% decrease and France a 60% decrease, despite the recent Model 3 refresh. This suggests that the issue goes beyond model transitions.

Adding complexity, Tesla CEO Elon Musk's political endorsements in Germany may have played a role. Musk's support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) during the recent elections appears to have alienated a lot of consumers. The plunge in Tesla registrations in Germany seems to have followed Musk's actions, all while the overall EV registrations in the country increased by 31%.

The numbers are in, and they say that Tesla's European market share is shrinking. The UK might be a small bright spot, but the overall trend is worrying. Significant declines in key markets like Germany and France mean that Tesla faces the challenge of regaining consumer trust and addressing the factors contributing to this sales slump. It seems the company isn't too concerned with the situation at the moment and is carrying on as if this was just a blip in the bigger picture. Let's hope they know something we don't.

Via