Tesla sales were down sharply in April in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal, as well Sweden and France, according to monthly sales figures.
Just like in the United States, Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s politics has inspired backlash and protests across Europe. Musk has backed some far-right political candidates in Germany and the UK. And given his high-profile role in the Trump administration, anger over the threat to slap steep tariffs on European imports could also be turning off some European buyers.
In the UK, one of the few European markets where Tesla reported stronger sales in the first quarter, April sales plunged 62%, according to UK auto industry trade group SMMT. The drop came even as overall EV sales rose 8% in the UK for the month.
Tesla sales were also down 67% in Denmark, 74% in the Netherlands and 33% in Portugal, according to data from trade groups in each of those countries. Sales were also down 81% in Sweden, and 59% in France, according to Reuters.
This was at a time when more electric vehicles were sold than ever before. People just can’t stand Musk.
I have to say that I enjoyed this as much as the Bulwark guys up top. Couldn’t happen to a weirder guy.