Tesla's sales slump in Germany: rivals surge across Europe
Why Tesla is losing ground in Germany as rivals expand across Europe
Tesla's sales slump in Germany: rivals surge across Europe
Tesla has plunged from first to 11th in Germany by Aug 2025. As Volkswagen, BMW and Skoda boost EV sales, politics and thin lineup erode Tesla's European share.
2025-09-17T12:25:57+03:00
2025-09-17T12:25:57+03:00
2025-09-17T12:25:57+03:00
Tesla has run into serious trouble in Europe, most visibly in Germany, which long served as its stronghold. In 2022, the company sold nearly 70,000 cars there and held the top spot. By January–August 2025, registrations added up to just 11,441, dropping Tesla to 11th place—below Opel, which managed 13,000 electric vehicles.Meanwhile, the market keeps growing. Volkswagen has tightened its lead with more than 68,000 sales, BMW has climbed to nearly 31,000, and Skoda has reached 30,000. Tesla, by contrast, is surrendering share despite a refreshed Model Y. With no truly new models in the pipeline, it’s up against rivals expanding their ranges and bringing more accessible options to showrooms.Elon Musk’s public profile adds another headwind. His active political stance and support for the AfD have put off some German buyers, eroding trust in the brand. When a cooling product lineup meets a reputational drag, the sales slide usually accelerates.The question now is whether Tesla can rebuild confidence among European customers. Experience suggests that recovering from a fall this sharp is anything but straightforward—especially as competitors not only cement their lead but keep broadening their electric portfolios.
Tesla, Germany EV sales, Europe market share, Volkswagen, BMW, Skoda, Model Y, registrations 2025, Tesla decline, Elon Musk, AfD, EV competition, German car market
2025
Michael Powers
news
Why Tesla is losing ground in Germany as rivals expand across Europe
Tesla has plunged from first to 11th in Germany by Aug 2025. As Volkswagen, BMW and Skoda boost EV sales, politics and thin lineup erode Tesla's European share.
Michael Powers, Editor
Tesla has run into serious trouble in Europe, most visibly in Germany, which long served as its stronghold. In 2022, the company sold nearly 70,000 cars there and held the top spot. By January–August 2025, registrations added up to just 11,441, dropping Tesla to 11th place—below Opel, which managed 13,000 electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, the market keeps growing. Volkswagen has tightened its lead with more than 68,000 sales, BMW has climbed to nearly 31,000, and Skoda has reached 30,000. Tesla, by contrast, is surrendering share despite a refreshed Model Y. With no truly new models in the pipeline, it’s up against rivals expanding their ranges and bringing more accessible options to showrooms.
Elon Musk’s public profile adds another headwind. His active political stance and support for the AfD have put off some German buyers, eroding trust in the brand. When a cooling product lineup meets a reputational drag, the sales slide usually accelerates.
The question now is whether Tesla can rebuild confidence among European customers. Experience suggests that recovering from a fall this sharp is anything but straightforward—especially as competitors not only cement their lead but keep broadening their electric portfolios.
