Elon Musk’s Tesla has seen sales drop for the fifth consecutive month across the UK as the carmaker continues to face a troubling year.
According to new data, Tesla sales fell by more than 33 per cent in the UK last month as drivers show unwillingness to back Musk’s brand.
The UK was not the only country to see Tesla sales slide, with the manufacturer also taking big hits across Europe and China, with questions now raised whether the upcoming new version Model Y will help draw driver interest back.
Industry experts have suggested that demand for Tesla will rebound in the coming months as it prepares to begin deliveries of the new Model Y.
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Elon Musk stepped down from his advisory position in the Trump administration to focus on Tesla
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The carmaker sold 1,998 units across the UK last month, a drop from 3,022 a year earlier, although May figures showed improvements from April, where sales were 62 per cent lower than during the same period in 2024 at 454. The brand still remains one of the top EV sellers in the UK so far this year.
In Germany, Tesla sales dropped by more than a third, despite sales of fully electric cars rising by 44.9 per cent, according to road traffic agency KBA.
During the month, Tesla sold 1,210 cars, marking a 36.2 per cent decline from the previous year. This compares with the sales of its Chinese rival BYD, which sold 1,857 units across Germany in May.
In Italy, Tesla sales were recorded as falling 20 per cent in May, while in Sweden, Tesla's new car sales fell 53.7 per cent in May.
Tesla said it was waiting for more Model Y cars to be dispatched from its Berlin factory to the UK
TESLAAcross Portugal, sales took an even bigger dip, declining by 68 per cent, according to New AutoMotive.
In Denmark, the EV data analysis firm found that sales were also down 30.5 per cent and 36 per cent in the Netherlands, with Spain seeing a 19 per cent dip, while France saw sales dive 67 per cent.
However, in Norway, where deliveries of the new Model Y have started, sales have picked up with the hope that this could spread across Europe.
Ben Nelmes, founder of New AutoMotive, said: "Tesla's strong performance in Norway points to the way forward for the company to innovate. No car company can rest on its laurels and be guaranteed success."
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Outside of Europe, Tesla sales have also dropped in China, where competition for electric vehicles continues to be fierce, with many EVs beating Tesla thanks to lower prices.
Reuters detailed how deliveries of both Chinese-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles dropped 15 per cent in May to 61,662 vehicles. May’s decline follows a similar pattern to April, where sales fell six per cent.
To help boost its sales across China, last week the EV brand began offering smart assisted driving capability transfers to its new vehicles, which would take place throughout June.
Data by New AutoMotive suggested that Tesla's electric vehicle sales could be overtaken by Volkswagen next month
The new version of the Tesla Model Y is expected to boost sales across the UK and Europe
TESLAThe sales dip has been attributed to growing dislike of owner Elon Musk, who held close positions alongside President Donald Trump, including as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Since then, it has had a knock-on effect at the carmaker, which has seen sales decline globally, although Musk has since stepped back from his political activities.
Mass protests and boycotts of the car brand have been taking place across the globe, with some protestors vandalising vehicles and committing arson.
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