Tesla sales in Europe and the U.K. have fallen by nearly half, according to data released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. In April, Tesla sold 7,261 vehicles in the European Union, European Free Trade Association, and U.K., a 49% year-over-year decline.
The fall in sales is particularly alarming considering Tesla recently launched a new Model Y vehicle, the kind of release that would typically attract more consumers. A closer look at car sales in the region shows that Tesla competitors have not experienced the same decline, suggesting that CEO Elon Musk’s political activities and alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump have had an outsized effect on the brand.
Tesla sales have struggled for months globally. Tesla recorded 336,681 deliveries, its worst quarterly performance in more than two years. That dip in sales came as Musk led DOGE, the “advisory body” that laid off thousands of federal employees and attempted to eliminate entire agencies and programs. His involvement in the government has proven so unpopular that Musk publicly stated he would refocus his efforts back on Tesla.
In April, new car registrations in the EU, U.K., and EFTA countries like Sweden and Norway fell 0.3 percent to 1,077,186 units year-over-year, with the gas and diesel vehicles seeing the largest declines.
EV sales still make up a smaller share of the overall market but continue to see growth. EV sales grew 27.8% to 184,685 vehicles in April compared to the same month in 2024. Hybrids, meanwhile, had the biggest jump with a 31% uptick in sales.
Meanwhile, figures released last week from market research firm Jato Dynamics shows Chinese manufacturers like BYD gaining ground despite tariffs by the EU. Registrations of EVs made by Chinese automakers in April rose by 59% year on year, reaching almost 15,300 units, according to Jato Dynamics.
