March 5 (Reuters) – Tesla (TSLA.O) car sales in Germany fell by 76 per cent in February, data showed this week, adding to the collapse in sales of Elon Musk’s EV brand across Europe in what could be a loyalty test for the close ally of US President Donald Trump.
Tesla sales were down 24 per cent in the Netherlands, 42 per cent in Sweden, 48 per cent in both Norway and Denmark, 45 per cent in France, 55 per cent in Italy, 10 per cent in Spain and 53 per cent in Portugal, official data showed this week.
Outside Europe, Australia reported a 66 per cent drop in Tesla registrations in the month, while the brand’s worldwide sales of cars produced in China were down 49 per cent due to intense pressure from Chinese rivals.
Britain bucked the trend, reporting a 21 per cent jump in Tesla sales last month but that lagged a 42 per cent overall rise in battery electric vehicles sales.
According to Germany’s road traffic agency, Tesla sold 1,429 cars in Germany, a decline of 76 per cent, an even bigger decline than the 60 per cent drop in January. Overall, sales of electric vehicles rose 30.8 per cent to 35,949 in Germany.
Musk’s support of far-right parties in Europe, including for Germany’s AfD that came second in last month’s national elections, appears to have hurt Tesla’s sales on the continent, which were down 45 per cent in January from a year earlier.
Industry data showed new car sales in Britain fell 1 per cent in February, despite growing demand for EVs which now account for one in four new cars sold.
Chinese automakers extended gains in the UK, with newcomer Chery selling 1,244 cars, more than BYD’s 1,177.
