In May, deliveries of Tesla Inc. vehicles fell 67% in France, the latest setback for the electric vehicle manufacturer ahead of overall company sales figures and amid anti-Chief Executive Elon Musk sentiment.
According to the French auto trade group PFA on Sunday, Tesla (TSLA) delivered 721 vehicles in France over the course of 19 days in May, compared to 2,197 vehicles during the same period in 2024. According to the association, overall car deliveries in France decreased 12.3% from the previous year.
Tesla delivered 8,277 vehicles during the 103-day period from January to May, a 47% decrease from 15,685 vehicles during the same period last year. During that time, France’s overall car deliveries decreased by 8.3%.
Even when a new model of Tesla’s Model Y car was introduced, the company’s sales in other European nations have also been struggling.
The only indication of Tesla’s sales health that comes before official company quarterly data is the dribble of information from national auto associations and governmental organizations.
Since Musk adopted divisive political positions, the sales figures have come under further scrutiny, and overall EV sales have also declined.
According to figures from the German government and the U.K. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Tesla’s sales declined in April in Germany and the United Kingdom, two of its major European markets.
Musk caused controversy earlier this year when he supported Alternative for Germany, a far-right party, in the federal elections held in that nation.
According to data from Jato Dynamics, Chinese EV manufacturer BYD (HK:1211) (CN:002594) outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time in April.
Musk has minimized the influence of sales patterns in Europe. “Our weakest market is Europe. “Everywhere else, we’re strong,” he told Bloomberg in a recent interview at the Qatar Economic Forum. “The European car market is quite weak,” he stated.
However, China, the EV giant’s second-largest market, is also a fierce competitor. According to recent data from the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla was the only Chinese manufacturer of new-energy vehicles to experience a drop in sales in April.
In recent months, Tesla has encountered a great deal of criticism both domestically and internationally. Musk’s position at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has drawn both favor and criticism. Last Monday, he made his exit from DOGE public.
Related: Tesla’s market share has gradually being eroded by BYD. Following price reductions, its shares are plunging.
Early in July, the business is anticipated to release its second-quarter global sales and production figures. In its quarterly reports, Tesla matches car models but does not provide any regional or other breakdowns of the data.
Morning trade has seen a 2.8% decline in Tesla shares. In 2025, the stock has lost 16.5%, while the S&P 500 index has gained 0.3%.
