Tesla Sales Plummet 59% in France Amid EV Market Challenges

Tesla's car sales in France dropped sharply by 59% in April, reaching their lowest level in over two years and significantly underperforming a broader market that declined by just 5.6%. Registrations for Tesla vehicles in France fell 44% in the first four months of the year compared to the same period last year, mirroring a broader 45% slump for Tesla across the EU. Analysts and industry observers attribute the decline to a mix of economic uncertainty, increased competition from European automakers, and negative sentiment related to CEO Elon Musk's political ties and public controversies. Some suggest that Musk's association with Donald Trump and recent public gestures have damaged Tesla's brand image in Europe. The downturn comes as Tesla is in the midst of renewing its model lineup and facing delays in bringing new vehicles to the European market. In response to mounting pressures, reports indicate Tesla's board has initiated a search for a potential successor to Musk as CEO.