Tesla can despite an overall increasing demand for electric cars in Germany do not stop his descent in this country. In April, 885 Tesla vehicles were sold, 45.9 percent less than in the previous year, as can be seen from data from the Federal Motor Transport Office on Tuesday.
Since the beginning of the year, the minus of the US electric autopionier has been added up to 60.4 percent. In contrast, the entire electric car sales increased by more than half. In the meantime, almost every fifth new car sold in Germany is an electric car.
Buyer again more open to e-cars
According to a survey by the McKinsey consulting company, car buyers in Germany are again more open to electric cars than a year ago. 30 percent stated that the next car should be a battery -electric vehicle, that was seven percentage points more than a year ago.
Plug-in hybrids, which also have an electrical drive in addition to a combustion engine, and range extenders, i.e. electric cars with an integrated gasoline generator for power generation, also met with growing interest, said McKinsey expert Patrick Schaufuss. Many consumers are currently being deterred from the high purchase prices, the study said.
However, car manufacturers are increasingly giving discounts on electric cars, while the incentives for combustion are reduced, as can be seen from a survey by the Center Automotive Research (Car). Further discounts are also expected for the coming months.
Price discrepancy becomes smaller
On average, electric cars are still 4225 euros more expensive than comparable combustion engines, which is the lowest value since the sudden end of the environmental bonus in January 2024. Tesla, unlike other manufacturers, only reduced its prices comparatively moderately, so the price position of the US manufacturer has deteriorated. “Without a price adjustment, Tesla will not be able to stop his slump in the new registrations,” writes car director Ferdinand Dudenhöffer.
Sales also dropped in other European countries. So were in Great Britain In April only 536 Tesla new cars are sold, 62 percent less than in the previous year and as little as it has not been in two years as it can be seen from the data from the analysis service New Automotive. In Sweden the decline was around 80 percent, in Portugal With a third. Only in Norway Tesla started 12 percent more cars last month.
Change of model and musk
According to industry experts, the brand suffers from the polarizing political commitment of company boss Elon Musk (53) alongside US President Donald Trump (78). Tesla cars and branches were used Goal of protests and vandalism.
The growing competition also plays a role Through other manufacturers such as Chinese car manufacturers or Volkswagen as well as the outdated and small range of model. The new generation is now on the market from Model Y sales. The vehicle can be ordered in many European markets, but will not be handed over to customers until June. Then it should become clearer how strongly Tesla’s sales are politically driven.