Of all Elon Musk’s companies, the most successful and lucrative business has easily been his electric vehicle (EV) car company, Tesla. For many, the brand name “Tesla” has become synonymous with electric cars. Unfortunately, the company’s reputation has been negatively impacted as Elon Musk’s ties to the Trump administration and far-right ideologies have become more apparent. Numerous reports indicate that Tesla’s sales have declined globally as Musk aligns himself with the Trump administration and dismisses federal workers under DOGE. EV outlet Electrek has reported that Tesla’s sales have particularly suffered in Europe, with deliveries dropping by 50 percent last month compared to the same period the previous year. Controversial actions, such as Musk’s “Roman salute” gesture on Inauguration Day, have also had an adverse effect on Tesla’s sales.According to a new report released on Wednesday, sales in Europe continue to decline. For instance, Tesla has experienced a significant sales drop of 76 percent in Germany. In February 2025, Tesla delivered only 1,429 new vehicles in Germany, a notable decrease from the over 6,000 vehicles delivered in February 2024. This data raises concerns for Tesla since Germany is considered Europe’s largest EV market. Additionally, Elon Musk recently expressed support for Germany’s far-right AfD party in the country’s recent elections. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reported that Tesla vehicle registrations across the EU, including the UK, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, decreased by 45 percent from January 2024 to January 2025. This decline is not limited to Europe alone. In Australia, Tesla sales plummeted by nearly 72 percent in February, with the company selling only 1,592 vehicles last month compared to the 5,665 vehicles sold the previous year.
“It seems that Tesla sales are declining in the U.S. as well. According to the California New Car Dealers Association, Tesla reported fewer car registrations in the state in all four quarters of 2024. California, being the largest EV market in the U.S., saw Tesla sales drop by 8 percent in the fourth quarter and 12 percent for the entire year. Recently, The New York Times highlighted former Tesla owners who sold their EVs due to Elon Musk’s actions and the repercussions of being associated with him for driving a Tesla. If Musk continues to collaborate with Trump, it is likely that Tesla’s business will further deteriorate. This is because the primary consumers of electric vehicles are often environmentally conscious individuals, who tend to lean liberal. Even if the Trump-Musk alliance ends, it may already be too late for Tesla to regain credibility in the eyes of many consumers.”
