Sales of Tesla electric cars in the European Union fell 45% in the first quarter of 2025 as the company's boss, Elon Musk, drew criticism for his role in US President Donald Trump's administration.
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said sales of new Tesla cars in the bloc fell 36% in March and 45% - to just over 36,000 units - in the first quarter compared with the same periods a year earlier.
That was the biggest drop in sales for any of the major automotive groups included in the association's report, despite a rise in EV sales overall, AFP reported.
Tesla showrooms have been hit by vandalism and calls for boycotts in Europe and the United States in response to public service cuts introduced by Musk in his role as a close Trump adviser.
On April 22, the company reported a 71 percent drop in first-quarter profit, signaling a hit to demand due to what it called "changing political sentiment."
Tesla reported a profit of $409 million following a drop in sales, while revenue fell nine percent to $19.3 billion.
Musk promptly announced he would cut back his work for the Trump administration in May to focus on Tesla.
Sales of electric vehicles rose in several European countries, including Germany, as well as in the UK, ACEA said.
But despite the EU's goal of reducing sales of gasoline-powered cars to cut climate-warming emissions, they still account for just 15% of the auto market.
ACEA head Sigrid de Vries, in a press release, highlighted the "continuing disconnect between ambitious decarbonisation targets and the 'reality check' of slower-than-expected consumer uptake".
The largest share of the EU market is taken by fuel-electric hybrid vehicles: this is the largest share of hybrid vehicles in the world: 36% compared to 29% for petrol-only cars. | BGNES