Tesla’s once-firm grip on Europe’s electric car market continues to weaken. Sales plummeted by 63% in France and 59% in Germany last month. Such a marked decline reveals the true impact of Musk’s involvement in mainstream politics and its effect on consumer taste.
Noticeably, this decline came during winter months; a quarter typically strong in the sales of electric cars.
Model Y Leads Despite Overall Losses
European sales of the American brand fell 13% in 2024. German buyers, who once flocked to Tesla showrooms, turned away in droves.
The Model Y still holds the crown as Europe’s best-selling electric car with 209,214 units sold last year, yet that number represents a 17% drop on the previous year.
The Model 3, Tesla’s smaller saloon car, sold 112,789 units, marking a 12% rise that couldn’t offset its sibling’s decline.
European Competitors Gain Ground
European carmakers did not miss their chance.
Volvo recorded a 30% sales boost in the EU last year. Their new EX30 electric car, priced at £35,000, has caught buyers’ eyes with its mix of Swedish design and accessible price tag.
BMW and Renault too have grown their electric car sales, offering fresh alternatives to Tesla’s unchanged lineup.
Tesla hasn’t launched a new car in Europe since the Model Y arrived in 2021, leaving buyers wanting more choices.
EV Market Faces Regional Challenges
The broader picture shows bumps in the road for electric cars. Sales across Europe dipped 1.2% in 2024, as market share slipped from 15.7% to 15.4%. Buyers worry about charging points, high prices, and unclear government support.
Norway leads adoption with 88% of new cars being electric, followed by Denmark at 51% and Sweden at 35%. Yet many European countries lag far behind these pioneers.
Musk’s Politics Impact Tesla Brand
Elon Musk’s political moves have muddied Tesla’s waters further. When Musk backed Germany’s Alternative for Germany party, it triggered widespread anger.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Musk’s support for the “extreme right” wholly unacceptable. German firms stopped ordering Tesla cars. Protesters gathered at Tesla’s Berlin factory, where workers build thousands of Model Ys each month.
Competitors Target Dissatisfied Tesla Owners
Other carmakers smell blood in the water. Polestar’s chief executive openly told sales teams to target unhappy Tesla owners. This push seems to work—more former Tesla drivers now shop for other brands.
The company’s Autopilot technology, once a clear advantage, faces stiffer competition as rivals catch up with their own driving assistance systems.
Social Media Parallels
Tesla’s decline parallels that of X, Musk’s social media platform, which lost major European institutions over political posts.
The Guardian walked away from its 10.7 million followers. Le Monde left too, calling X “an extension of Musk’s political cause.” Germany’s military and foreign ministry deleted their accounts. The European Federation of Journalists branded X a “machine of disinformation and propaganda.”
Trump Comparison: Business and Politics
Donald Trump’s business story offers an interesting comparison. His political career brought mixed fortunes—while his stock in Trump Media & Technology Group has soared, he also faces civil judgments worth over half a billion dollars.
Unlike Trump’s largely domestic business empire, Tesla must navigate multiple markets with varying political sensitivities.
Future Outlook for Tesla in Europe
Car industry watchers believe 2025 might bring better days for electric cars as prices fall. Tesla’s updated Model Y, with improved Full Self-Driving capabilities, arrives this year.
Yet questions linger about whether this refresh can win back buyers who’ve grown wary of Musk’s politics.
Keep up with Daily Euro Times for more updates!
Read also:
UK Crowned Europe’s Top EV Market
Musk’s X is Turning into an Empty Nest
Elon Musk Touts Populism Abroad and Openness at Home
