Tesla sales plummet in Germany as Musk backs far-right party

BERLIN, GERMANY: Sales of Tesla electric vehicles experienced a significant decline in Germany, dropping by 59% compared to the previous year, as reported by the Federal Motor Transport Authority.

In January, the company registered only 1,277 new car sales in Germany, marking the lowest monthly total since July 2021. This decline occurred despite the overall growth of Germany’s electric vehicle market, which increased by 54% during the same period, leading to a drop in Tesla’s market share from 14% to just 4%.

Several factors may have contributed to the downturn in sales, according to analysts. One key factor could be CEO Elon Musk’s escalating involvement in political matters, particularly his vocal support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Ahead of Germany’s upcoming federal election, Musk made headlines by backing the AfD, a party known for its pro-Moscow stance and its controversial campaign advocating for mass deportations of migrants. Musk attended an AfD event last month, where he praised the importance of German culture and values, suggesting that society should move beyond feelings of historical guilt.

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Additionally, Musk recently hosted Alice Weidel, the AfD leader, on his social media platform X. His increasing political engagement parallels his role as a “special government employee” in the United States, assisting former President Donald Trump with a government efficiency initiative named DOGE.

Tesla also faced sales declines in France and the UK, with figures dropping by 63% and 12%, respectively. Experts believe these declines may be influenced by the anticipated rollout of the new Model Y, leading some customers to postpone their purchases. Inventory shortages following a surge in sales efforts late last year may have further exacerbated the situation.