Tesla has hit a rough patch in Europe, recording a 49% drop in registrations for April 2025 compared to the same period last year. This marks the fourth month in a row of declining sales for the electric vehicle giant, as reported by Reuters. The slump has halved Tesla's European market share from 1.3% to just 0.7%.
In contrast, the overall automotive market in Europe showed resilience, with battery electric vehicles enjoying a 27.8% growth surge during the same month. These gains, however, were tempered by an overall 0.3% dip in car sales. Meanwhile, Chinese automaker BYD achieved a milestone by surpassing Tesla in European BEV sales for the first time, selling 7,231 units against Tesla's 7,165, highlighting a shift in consumer preference towards competitively priced options.
Tesla's struggles in key European countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands—where sales fell by 81% and 74%, respectively—underline challenges posed by increased competition from Chinese brands and issues with its brand perception. Additionally, Tesla is grappling with an aging product lineup and delays in new model introductions, both of which appear to be impacting its appeal in a rapidly evolving market.