Tesla's monthly sales in Europe plunge by almost 50% amid protests and backlash against Elon Musk
Source: CBS News/AP
May 27, 2025 / 9:07 AM EDT
Tesla sales across Europe plummeted by almost 50% last month even as the broader market for electric cars saw growth in the region, according to data released Tuesday. Sales of Tesla vehicles in 32 European countries tumbled 49% to 7,261 in April from 14,228 in the same month the previous year, according to the figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA. At the same time, sales of battery-electric vehicles by all manufacturers rose about 28%, the group's data shows.
The numbers are the latest indication of how much the Tesla brand is suffering because of the backlash against billionaire CEO Elon Musk over his far-right views. Crowds have gathered at Tesla dealerships in both Europe and the U.S., with protesters objecting to Musk's work with President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, which has slashed the U.S. federal workforce and been the subject of multiple lawsuits.
The protesters are aiming at Tesla to dent Musk's fortunes, given that much of his wealth is tied up in shares of the electric vehicle maker. "2025 started off as a dark chapter for Musk and Tesla as Elon's role in the Trump Administration and DOGE created a life of its own which created brand damage and a black cloud over the story," noted Wedbush analyst Dan Ives in a May 23 research note.
Musk, meanwhile, said last month he would scale back his DOGE work beginning in May in order to spend more time at Tesla. The EV company's first-quarter earnings fell far short of analyst expectations, with revenue tumbling 9% and profit slumping 71%. The latest European sales figures, which cover the European Union's 27 member countries and five other nations outside the bloc, back up early data from Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark released at the start of this month that had pointed to a sales collapse.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tesla-sales-europe-plunge-backlash-protests-elon-musk/
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