Tesla sales in Europe halved since the beginning of the year

According to the figures, the company owned by controversial US presidential advisor Elon Musk recorded a 49 percent year-on-year decline in new registrations in January and February 2025. This corresponds to 19,046 vehicles sold and a market share of 1.1 percent.

In Germany, Tesla put significantly fewer vehicles on the road in February than in the same month last year. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), new registrations of the US company fell by a whopping 76 percent - while new e-car registrations in general increased. In January, the Tesla decline had already amounted to 59 percent. Tesla operates a factory in Grünheide, Brandenburg, in Germany.

Damage to image because of Musk

The car manufacturer had recently suffered serious damage to its image due to the controversial role of CEO Musk in the administration of US President Donald Trump. For example, Teslas were set on fire and Tesla car dealerships and charging stations were attacked in the USA and Europe.

In Germany, some German companies, such as the Rossmann drugstore chain and several energy suppliers, withdrew from Tesla as a provider of company vehicles due to the tech billionaire's closeness to right-wing extremists. Some Tesla drivers use stickers distancing themselves from Musk. Numerous institutions, companies and private individuals have also deregistered from X.