Tesla's sales in the European Union continued to slump in November, with new car registrations falling by a third compared to the same month last year. The US electric vehicle maker registered 12,130 new cars across the EU, down from 18,430 in November 2024, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Its market share dropped from 2.1% to 1.4%.
In contrast, Chinese carmakers saw significant growth. BYD recorded nearly a threefold increase in registrations across Europe in the year to November, reaching 42,500 vehicles. SAIC, the owner of the MG brand, reported a 26% rise in sales to 217,000 units. Both brands produce battery electric cars as well as hybrids, which combine a smaller battery with a petrol or diesel engine.
Hybrid vehicles accounted for 44% of all car sales in the EU, as European manufacturers pushed these more profitable models. This trend coincided with successful lobbying by European carmakers to weaken EU electric vehicle sales targets. Last week, the EU confirmed it would allow 10% of car sales to have internal combustion engines after 2035.
Despite Tesla's struggles, battery electric cars held an 18.8% market share in the EU for the first 11 months of the year, up from 15% in the same period in 2023. Tesla's sales slowdown began late last year, around the time CEO Elon Musk began intervening in European politics, including backing Germany's far-right Alternative für Deutschland and appearing at events for British far-right groups.
Overall, EU new car sales rose by 1.4% in the year to November compared with 2024, marking the fifth consecutive monthly increase. Including the European Free Trade Area and the UK, sales rose by 1.9% to 12.1 million vehicles in the first 11 months of the year.
