Tesla Europe Sales Drop Amid Political Backlash

Tesla's vehicle sales in Europe dropped by approximately 49% year-on-year in April, with only 7,261 units sold and market share falling from 1.3% to 0.7%. This is Tesla's fourth consecutive month of declining sales in the region, despite the overall battery electric vehicle market growing by over 25%. The decline is partly attributed to intensifying competition from Chinese automakers like BYD and SAIC, with BYD outselling Tesla for the first time, as well as European rivals. New factors contributing to the drop include consumer backlash against CEO Elon Musk's political activities, support for far-right groups, and ties to the Trump administration, which have led to dealership protests and vandalism. Additionally, Tesla's lack of hybrid models has left it out of favor with more than 35% of European consumers who now prefer hybrids. Despite these setbacks, Tesla has promised renewed leadership focus and new models to address its reputation and competitiveness in the market.