Auto, Tesla collapses in Europe: sales halved in April, Chinese competition soars

Tesla's collapse in Europe: in April 2025, registrations of the American brand fell by 52.6% compared to the same month in 2024, going from 11,540 to 5,475 units. The market share fell from 1.3% to 0.6%, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Since the beginning of the year, the overall drop in sales is 46.1%, with 41,677 vehicles registered against 77,314 in the first four months of 2024.

Tesla's decline comes in a European context where overall car sales remained stable (-0.3% year-on-year), but driven by the growth of electrified vehicles: +26.4% for battery electric cars (BEV), +7.8% for plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and +20.8% for traditional hybrids (HEV). Electrified vehicles now represent 59.2% of total registrations in the month.

Tesla's decline is attributed to a model range deemed dated, an increasingly controversial public image linked to founder Elon Musk's political stance, and the growing competitiveness of Chinese automakers. Brands such as BYD, MG, and Leapmotor saw their registrations jump 59% from the previous year, contributing significantly to the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Meanwhile, manufacturers such as Volkswagen, BMW, Renault and Stellantis are consolidating their presence in the sector, while the new electric SUV Skoda Elroq takes the top spot in April sales. Tesla’s Model Y, once the market leader, slips to ninth place.

Despite Elon Musk recently declaring that the commercial situation is “already restored,” Tesla appears increasingly marginal in a market undergoing a full transformation.

According to ACEA, the transition to electric remains uneven across EU countries, heavily influenced by government incentives and charging infrastructure. While the BEV market is expanding in Italy and Spain, France is experiencing a slight slowdown.