Tesla’s sales are experiencing a significant downturn in Germany, even as the broader electric vehicle (EV) market shows signs of recovery. Recent data reveals that just 2,229 Tesla vehicles were registered in March, marking a staggering 43 percent decline compared to the same month last year, according to the KBA federal transport authority.
While overall electric vehicle registrations in Germany surged by 35.5 percent year-on-year, Tesla’s struggles highlight a growing backlash against its billionaire owner, Elon Musk. Sales across Europe weakened last year due to economic challenges and the reduction of government subsidies, but Tesla’s decline has been particularly acute in Germany.
Musk’s controversial support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party largely rejected by mainstream politics, has fueled animosity toward him and the brand. This backlash is evident in various forms, including disgruntled Tesla owners sporting stickers that read, “I bought this before Elon went crazy.” Additionally, Tesla vehicles have reportedly been targeted in suspected arson attacks in cities like Berlin and Dresden, and protests against the company have become more frequent.
In the first quarter of 2025, Tesla registrations plummeted by an alarming 62.2 percent compared to the same period in 2024. The overall vehicle market in Germany is also feeling the strain, with new vehicle registrations dropping by 3.9 percent in March, totaling 253,497.
As German automakers navigate these challenges, they are further burdened by the recent imposition of 25-percent tariffs on car imports into the United States by the Trump administration, adding to the complexities of an already tumultuous landscape for the auto industry.
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