Tesla’s vehicle sales in Europe and the U.K. dropped by almost 50%, according to data released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. In April, the company sold 7,261 cars across the EU, EFTA, and U.K.—a 49% decrease compared to the same month last year.
The sharp drop in sales is especially concerning given Tesla’s recent launch of a new Model Y, a release that would normally boost demand. However, other automakers in the region haven’t seen similar declines, pointing to the possibility that CEO Elon Musk’s political involvement and ties to U.S. President Donald Trump may be negatively impacting Tesla’s image.
Global Sales Slump Deepens Amid Musk’s Political Distractions
Tesla has faced declining sales worldwide for several months. The company reported 336,681 deliveries in the last quarter, marking its weakest performance in over two years. This downturn coincided with Elon Musk’s leadership of DOGE, a controversial advisory group responsible for mass federal layoffs and attempts to dismantle various agencies and programs. The backlash was so significant that Musk announced he would shift his attention back to Tesla.
In April, new car registrations across the EU, U.K., and EFTA nations such as Sweden and Norway dipped by 0.3% year-over-year, totaling 1,077,186 vehicles, with the steepest drops seen in gasoline and diesel models.
Electric vehicles still represent a smaller portion of the overall market but are steadily growing. In April, EV sales rose by 27.8% year-over-year to 184,685 units. Hybrid vehicles saw the largest increase, with sales climbing 31%.
Data released last week by market research firm Jato Dynamics indicates that Chinese automakers, including BYD, are making significant progress in the market despite EU-imposed tariffs. In April, registrations of electric vehicles from Chinese brands jumped 59% year-over-year, reaching nearly 15,300 units.
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