Tesla's EU sales sink 37.9% last year amid competition with China's BYD, political backlash

By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) — US electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla's sales in the EU dropped 37.9% in 2025 on a yearly basis, according to data released on Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).​​​​​​

Billionaire Elon Musk's electric vehicle company Tesla sold 150,504 units in the EU last year, ACEA's report showed. The figure was 242,436 in 2024.

The market share of the company also dropped to 1.4% in 2025, from 2.3% in 2024.

In December 2025 alone, Tesla's sales plummeted 31.9% in the EU compared to December 2024, down to 21,485 units.

In Europe, including the EU, the European Free Trade Association, and the UK, Tesla's sales also fell by 20.2% in December, and by 26.9% in last year.

The overall battery electric car sales soared 29.9% to 1.88 million units in the EU last year.

Meanwhile, the Chinese BYD, one of Tesla's main competitors, saw its EU sales surge 227.8% year-on-year to 128,827 units.

BYD's market share also rose to 1.2% in 2025, from 0.4% in the previous year.

Tesla's sales have been rapidly declining in Europe this year, partly due to Musk's controversial political stances, his intervention in European politics, and rapid competition from Chinese brands.