Springtime Sales Slump for Tesla in April
Tesla Sales Plummet by Over 50% in Europe in April
In a significant setback for U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, sales in the European Union dropped by more than half in April, according to data from the European manufacturer association Acea. A total of 5,475 Tesla cars were sold, representing a decrease of 52.6% compared to the same month last year.
The decline in Tesla sales was even more pronounced in the first four months of 2025, with a total drop of 46.1% compared to the previous year. A total of 41,677 electric vehicles were sold by the company during this period.
Tesla reported significant revenue losses and profit declines in April. The company's worldwide sales in the first quarter of this year dropped by 13%. In response, CEO Elon Musk announced that he would reduce his engagement with the government department for state efficiency (Doge) created by U.S. President Donald Trump, in order to focus more on his electric vehicle company.
The decline in Tesla sales in Europe has been seized upon by carmakers from Europe and China. According to analysis firm Jato Dynamics, Tesla was overtaken by ten competitors in April, including Volkswagen, BMW, Renault, and the Chinese brand BYD. Volkswagen, in particular, could more than double its deliveries of pure electric vehicles in Europe during the first quarter and is currently outpacing Tesla. The Chinese electric vehicle world leader BYD has also been gaining ground on Musk, even surpassing him in Europe in April in terms of electric vehicle sales.
The good reputation enjoyed by German car manufacturers for quality appears to offer a competitive advantage. In a survey commissioned by the consulting firm Bearingpoint in the U.S., China, France, and Germany, German brands were found to be ahead in terms of trust in quality in all four markets. The survey's author believes this is because customers are unsure whether lesser-known manufacturers will still be around in a few years, and whether they will continue to offer service and repairs.
Enrichment Data: Tesla's sales decline in Europe in April 2025 can be attributed to backlash and protests against CEO Elon Musk's political views and actions, as well as supply issues caused by factory shutdowns for improvements to its best-selling Model Y. Furthermore, despite Tesla's setback, the European electric vehicle market showed resilience and growth, with battery-electric vehicle sales increasing by about 28% and the wider EU car market edging up 1.3% year-over-year in April 2025.
Sources: ntv.de, gho/AFP/dpa
- In an effort to mitigate the impact of decreasing sales, Tesla might consider implementing community policy changes, such as offering vocational training programs for workers in the technology sector, to foster a more sustainable lifestyle and improve the company's public image.
- As Tesla grapples with salesdecline in sports like electric vehicle market competitions, recent advancements in technology, particularly in battery efficiency and charging infrastructure, could potentially benefit its European operations, providing a fresh opportunity to boost its market share.
