Tesla Inc.’s sales in Europe plummeted by 45% last month, with only 9,945 cars registered, compared to 18,161 in the same period last year. This decline occurred amidst a 37% surge in electric-vehicle demand across the overall industry.
The company is currently transitioning its production lines for the popular Model Y SUV, and its CEO, Elon Musk, has become a polarizing figure in global politics, which may be affecting sales. Tesla’s sales in key markets such as Germany and the UK have been particularly weak, with the company registering fewer vehicles than China’s BYD Co. in the UK for the first time.