Tesla’s sales in Europe dropped by 49% last month compared to a year earlier, even as electric vehicle sales rose 27%, showing that its Model Y upgrade has yet to improve its image. ACEA data also indicates that overall car sales in Europe dropped by 0.3% year-on-year. Electric and plug-in hybrid models posted the strongest growth, helping to balance losses elsewhere.

Tesla’s continuing slide in Europe reflects a shift away from the U.S. EV maker as competition from Chinese brands gains strength. Some buyers are also pushing back against Elon Musk’s political views. According to a Reuters report, European automakers are under pressure to lower local costs and face headwinds from U.S. tariffs on imports and a slowing global economy. The resulting uncertainty clouds the industry’s outlook despite easing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Tesla records a drop in sales as the EU records the same fate in four straight months

April registrations in the European Union, Britain, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) fell to 1.07 million cars, after a 2.8% gain in March. Sales at state-owned SAIC Motor climbed 24.5%, while Mitsubishi rose 22.1% and Mazda fell 24.5%. Tesla’s deliveries in Europe have now dropped for four months straight, down 49% year-on-year, and its market share has nearly halved to 0.7% from 1.3%.

Looking at the EU alone, total car sales fell 1.2% year-on-year, marking a fourth straight month of decline. Within that figure, registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEV) jumped 26.4%, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) gained 7.8%, and hybrid electrics (HEV) rose 20.8%. In April, electrified models accounted for 59.2% of all passenger car registrations, up from 47.7% the previous year.

Among major EU markets, Spain saw a 7.1% rise in sales and Italy 2.7%, while France and Germany recorded drops of 5.6% and 0.2% respectively. Europeans are buying more electric cars because of strict emissions rules and lower prices, even as trade tensions, slow overall sales, and possible factory closures threaten jobs.

The post Tesla records drop in sales slows down EV growth in Europe first appeared on Coinfea.