Tesla’s European Nightmare: Only 600 Cars Sold per Day in Q1

A Decline That Couldn’t Be Ignored

While Tesla’s stock price has seen gains following recent reports, the sales figures tell a very different story, especially in Europe.

Research by Finbold reveals that the electric vehicle giant managed to sell only 54,020 cars across the continent in the first quarter of 2025—an average of just 600 per day.

Compared to the same period in 2024, when 86,027 units hit the roads, this marks a 37.2% drop.

Warning Signs Were Clear Early On

The dramatic decline should come as no surprise. Early in 2025, reports began surfacing about falling Tesla sales across several European countries.

By February, alarming numbers had already emerged, with Germany, France, and multiple Scandinavian nations reporting declines of over 70%.

Amid the downturn, the United Kingdom stood out as a rare bright spot, where Tesla deliveries grew by 6% compared to the previous year.

Elon Musk’s Controversies Damaging the Brand

A significant part of Tesla’s troubles in Europe can be traced back to Elon Musk’s political activities.

His public endorsement of controversial parties like Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) alienated many potential customers.

In Poland, Musk’s remarks about the need to “move past” Nazi guilt even prompted political leaders to call for a nationwide boycott.

Meanwhile, a wave of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles made many Europeans hesitant to invest in the brand.

Hopes for a Q2 Recovery—But Not Overnight

As Q2 gets underway, Musk has pledged to scale back his political activities, particularly his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.).

This promise has already led analysts like Wedbush’s Dan Ives to raise their price targets for TSLA stock.

However, it remains highly doubtful that these changes will translate into immediate or even mid-term improvements in sales.

Rebuilding trust in the European market will likely be a slow and challenging process.

A Global Struggle

Tesla’s challenges are not limited to Europe. Globally, the company delivered 336,681 vehicles in Q1—a 13% decrease compared to the 386,810 units sold in the same quarter of 2024.

This continues a negative trend that began in 2024, the first year Tesla ever reported an overall decline, as consumers struggled with rising living costs and competitors expanded their market share.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.