Tesla sales plunge 63% in France, the EU’s second-biggest EV market

Tesla Inc. registrations plummeted 63 per cent last month in France, the European Union’s second-biggest market for battery-electric vehicles.

The EV maker registered only 1,141 cars in January, down from 3,118 a year ago, according to French industry association La Plateforme Automobile. Tesla underperformed the overall industry and total EV sales, which were down 6.2% and 0.5%, respectively.

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has inserted himself in European politics to an unprecedented degree in recent months, throwing his support behind the far-right Alternative for Germany party and taking on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour government. It’s unclear to what degree that’s starting to take a toll on demand for the company’s cars.

Tesla’s registrations across EU countries fell 13 per cent last year, with Germany accounting for much of the decline.

The EV maker has struggled in the country with an aging model lineup, increasing competition and the withdrawal of government subsidies in late 2023.

Tesla registrations fell 41 per cent in Germany last year, while overall battery-electric vehicle sales declined 27 per cent.