Tesla’s European sales plummet 45% - Is Elon Musk’s far-right flirtation fueling the freefall?

Elon Musk’s Tesla is no longer sparking joy in Europe. Fresh data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reveals a jaw-dropping 45% nosedive in Tesla’s January 2025 sales compared to last year, with registrations crashing to 9,945 vehicles—less than half of January 2024’s 18,161 units. Meanwhile, Europe’s broader EV market accelerated by 34%, leaving Tesla eating dust as rivals like Volkswagen, BYD, and SAIC Motor surge ahead.

So, what’s short-circuiting Tesla’s European ambitions? A cocktail of cutthroat competition, Musk’s MAGA-adjacent politics, and a brand image that’s starting to smell like burnt circuitry.

Let’s crunch the grim stats:

• Germany: Tesla sold just 1,277 cars—its worst month since July 2021. 
• France: Sales cratered 63%, hitting levels not seen since August 2022.
• UK: BYD overtook Tesla in registrations for the first time, despite the UK’s EV market growing 42%.

Even as battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales soared to 124,341 units in Europe, Tesla’s market share shriveled to 1% from 1.8%.

Blame China first. SAIC Motor’s sales jumped 37%, and BYD’s budget-friendly models are luring cost-conscious Europeans. Volkswagen, no slouch, revved up sales by 14.9% by flooding the zone with new EVs. Even Renault, Europe’s retro-cool underdog, gained traction.

However, Tesla’s problems go deeper than a price war. Its lineup is aging faster than Musk’s Mars colonization timeline. The Model 3? A senior citizen in car years. Meanwhile, Chinese rivals debut fresh designs faster than Musk posts memes.

Here’s where it gets spicy. Musk isn’t just selling cars — he’s peddling controversy. The billionaire’s recent antics read like a far-right fanfic:

• Germany: Musk publicly endorsed the far-right AfD party, calling it Germany’s “best hope,” and cozying up to leader Alice Weidel in a live X chat. The AfD, infamous for anti-immigrant rhetoric and climate denial, is about as popular in Berlin as a diesel engine at a vegan festival.
• UK: Musk demanded Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s imprisonment over baseless grooming gang claims, sparking outrage.



• France: President Emmanuel Macron joined European leaders in slamming Musk’s “hostile” social media tirades.

The backlash is tangible. YouGov polls show Musk’s favorability tanking in Germany and the UK, with customers reportedly ditching Tesla over his politics. Others have turned to stickers to pass their message. Fred Liao’s Model 3 has one of these stickers. It reads “I bought this before Elon went crazy.”

With Europe slipping, Musk is eyeing India. Fresh off a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tesla posted job listings in Mumbai and is reportedly courting Tata Motors for a partnership. But here’s the twist: Tesla plans to import cars from Germany, not China, to appease India’s geopolitical sensitivities.

Let’s be real — Tesla’s slump isn’t just about Musk’s AfD bromance or his Starmer smackdowns. The EV market is brutal, and Tesla’s innovation engine needs a jumpstart.

But — Musk’s brand is built on “saving the planet.” When he pals around with climate-skeptic parties or fuels conspiracy theories, eco-conscious Europeans feel betrayed. Those who bought Tesla cars to be part of the solution now feel like they’re just funding Elon’s ego trip. And in a region where green policies are sacrosanct, Tesla’s CEO is starting to look less like Tony Stark and more like a Bond villain.

With Chinese EVs getting cheaper and Europe’s loyalty fraying, Musk might need more than a budget ride. Maybe lay off the far-right fan mail, Elon?