Musk’s Political “Interference” Sends Tesla’s European Sales Tumbling
They say any press is good press, but Tesla might be proving otherwise, as the EV powerhouse’s revenue is falling across Europe. Sales nosedived 59% in Germany last month — home to its only European factory — as Musk’s increasing political “interference” sparked consumer backlash (NYT). The dramatic decline signals a broader pullback for Tesla while Musk ramps up nationalist campaigning worldwide.
- German buyers “may well be reacting to Musk’s comments” about post-Nazi guilt he made at a right-wing symposium, says Schmidt Automotive Research — a country that has long since swept polarizing politics under the rug.
- The fallout extends across Europe, with Tesla sales plummeting in France, Norway, and Britain — down 63%, 38%, and 12% last month, respectively — while Swedish buyers continue their exodus amid an ongoing mechanics’ strike.
Hometown headache: Tesla’s European tumble mirrors trouble at its homefront, with registrations in California — a hardline blue state — dropping 11.6% last year despite overall EV growth. While an updated Model Y could boost springtime sales, Tesla faces an increasingly crowded market — especially as low-cost Chinese automakers gobble up EV market share. For now, Tesla’s European adventure could be running empty — and Musk’s tweets aren’t exactly charging up sales.
