- Tesla’s year-over-year sales fell in several countries last month.
- Tesla’s sales in Germany dropped by 76% in February, after Musk endorsed the far-right AfD party.
- Sales of Tesla’s China-made EVs dropped by nearly 50%, while BYD recorded a 90% increase in sales.
Elon Musk told investors to expect Tesla sales to grow this year — but plummeting sales in several countries are complicating that goal.
While Tesla’s Model Y continues to be a top seller and UK sales were up in February, some of Tesla’s sales figures in other markets looked grim — the kind of year-over-year drops that should worry the CEO.
Germany: -76%
Tesla’s sales in Germany last month were down by 76% year over year, with 1,429 vehicles sold. Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority said overall EV sales in the country grew by about 31%.
Tesla’s sales in the country also fell in January, when Musk endorsed the far-right AfD party ahead of a February 23 election.
Norway, Denmark, and Sweden: -42% to -48%
Tesla sales declined in several other European countries last month.
In February, Tesla sales in Norway and Denmark were down by 48% year over year.
Sales in Sweden declined by 42% year over year.
France: -26%
Tesla sales in France last month declined by 26% year over year: It sold 2,395 vehicles, though that was an increase from 1,141 Teslas sold in January. The country also experienced an overall decline in car sales of 0.7%, Plateforme Automobile said.
Teslas manufactured in China: -49%
Sales of Teslas manufactured in China also took a hit in February. The EV giant sold 30,688 China-made vehicles, its lowest number since August 2022. That represented a 49% drop year over year in China. Tesla’s Chinese rival BYD recorded a 90.4% increase in vehicle sales that month.
Tesla’s stock dropped by about 4% in early trading on Tuesday before rising by about 1.8% on Wednesday afternoon. After surging in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidential victory, Tesla shares are trading down 28% in February.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
While Tesla has faced increasing competition in the EV market in recent years, some investors have expressed concerns that Tesla could be struggling in part because of Musk’s involvement in global politics and position in the Trump administration with DOGE.
In recent weeks, several “Tesla Takedown” protests have occurred in various cities in response to his political involvement, with demonstrators urging Tesla owners to sell their vehicles.
In an apparent effort to boost sales of its most expensive Cybertruck models, which cost nearly $100,000, Tesla is offering free charging for the entire period of ownership.
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