Tesla's sales decreased by approximately 8 percent last month, in contrast to a 42 percent increase in the electric vehicle market overall. YouGov conducted surveys in Germany and the United Kingdom in mid-January, revealing unfavorable opinions toward Elon Musk and his involvement in national politics. Tesla's CEO generated controversy by debating with the leader of the Alternative for Germany party, Alice Weidel, on social media, which has impacted public perception.
Sales of electric vehicles in the industry as a whole increased by 37 percent, especially among automakers in Germany and the United Kingdom. Tesla is undergoing a production readjustment of its popular SUV model, the Model Y, while dealing with the polarization created by Musk's political stances globally.
Musk has been criticized for his support of far-right parties in Europe and for his disparaging comments toward political leaders, including Trump in his statements about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The 45 percent plunge in Tesla's sales in Europe contrasts with the rising demand for electric vehicles from other manufacturers in the region, highlighting a significant market drop.
Tesla's sales have been negatively impacted, recording only 9,945 vehicles last month in Europe, compared to 18,161 the previous year. Elon Musk and his political stances have generated controversy, reflected in the company's sales figures. In Germany, Tesla only sold 1,277 new cars in January, the lowest number since July 2021, while in France sales fell by 63 percent, marking a significant decline in the market. Additionally, in the United Kingdom, Tesla sold fewer vehicles than the Chinese manufacturer BYD for the first time in history, highlighting a negative trend in the brand's performance in Europe.
