Tesla’s Sales Slump
Tesla’s car sales have plunged by double digits in several markets to start the year.
In January, just 1,277 of Tesla’s electric cars were registered in Germany, Europe’s biggest auto market, down ~60% year-over-year. The story is similar to that of other parts of Europe, where Tesla’s January sales were down 63% in France from a year earlier and 12% in the UK. And in China, which accounts for over a third of Tesla’s global sales, Tesla saw an 11.5% year-over-year decline in January.
Much of the slow month can be chalked up to 1) New competitors showing up left and right; 2) Various countries ending subsidy programs, which have stalled or caused declines in total sales in their respective markets; and 3) Musk’s increased involvement in domestic and international politics.
Yes, Musk’s politics are contributing to Tesla’s global sales struggles. Musk's outspoken support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been widely cited as a deterrent for EV buyers, and the same has been said of his politics in the UK.
A recent nonpartisan EV Politics Project report also shows Tesla and Musk losing support among EV intenders and Democratic-leaning buyers…
…faster than they’re gaining it from conservatives, who are generally less interested in EVs.
Musk’s outspoken behavior has always driven a market response—both good and bad—and that trend already seems to be on display in 2025.
