Those figures show that just 9,945 Teslas were sold across the European Union, the UK and the EFTA region last month, which represents a 45% plunge compared with the 18,161 Teslas sold in January 2024.
While there was a slump in Tesla’s sales, sales of new battery-electric cars grew by 34% to reach 124,341 units, capturing a 15% market share.
Overall, the car market shrank by 2.1% in January with France (-6.2%), Italy (-5.8%), and Germany (-2.8%) seeing significant falls – Spain, by contrast, was up over 5 per cent.
So why the decline in Tesla sales? Could Musk’s backing of Donald Trump, and his interference in other country’s politics, be having an impact? Are consumers pushing back against his interference in Europe’s domestic politics?
These poor figures, for Tesla, come as TrendForce, the market researcher, is predicting EV sales are set to grow globally by 18% in 2025.
Last year, TrendForce found that EV and fuel cell vehicle sales grew 25%, reaching 16.9 million units, with China expanding its market share to 67%.
According to the research while Tesla retained its top position in BEV (battery EV) sales in 2024, BYD came a close second, while SAIC-GM-Wuling came third reporting an impressive 44% YoY growth. Rounding out the top five Volkswagen and GAC Aion ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
TrendForce is projecting global NEV sales will reach 19.2 million units in 2025 with sustained growth in China, helping by its vehicle trade-in subsidy policy. However, Chinese automakers will face several key challenges: intensifying domestic competition, high investment demands for overseas expansion and increasing technological rivalry.
So much so, that TrendForce is predicting the growing likelihood of mergers among the major automotive groups.
Turning to the US TrendForce said that it was a market beset with uncertainty. For example, if President Trump successfully overturns the $7,500 EV tax credit with congressional approval.
If that move is successful, then 2025 global EV sales growth could decline from 18% to 16%.
