Tesla’s sales in France fell by 26% in February, with only 2,395 vehicles registered, amid a stable overall automotive market. This decline is linked to factory closures and changing consumer preferences favoring European brands. Social sentiments around Elon Musk’s political views may also deter buyers. While Tesla remains a leader in electric vehicles, competition and the rollout of new models pose challenges. The French market showed minimal change, with hybrid vehicles dominating registrations.
Declining Tesla Sales in France
Elon Musk’s automotive brand appears to be facing increasing buyer reluctance. In February, Tesla’s sales in France experienced a notable decline, which may be attributed to both the billionaire’s controversial behavior and the modernization of its vehicle lineup.
Impact of Factory Closures on Performance
The American electric vehicle manufacturer reported a 26% year-on-year drop in sales, with only 2,395 vehicles registered in February, based on data released by the Automotive Platform (PFA) on March 1. In contrast, the overall automotive market in France remained relatively stable, experiencing a minor decrease of 0.72% year-on-year, while electric vehicle sales held steady at 18% of the market during the same period. Notably, the Renault 5 and Citroën C3, which launched at the end of 2024, have successfully captured market share from Tesla.
Marc Mortureux, the general director of the PFA, pointed out that there has been a considerable shift in the market over the past year, favoring European manufacturers. At the European level, Tesla’s sales saw a nearly 50% drop in January.
On a global scale, the manufacturer reported a 1% decrease in deliveries for 2024, marking its first decline in history, despite expectations for a slight increase. Tesla’s performance has been impacted by temporary factory closures, particularly in Germany due to an arson incident and a strike, along with modernization efforts in Texas and China.
Social Sentiments and Market Dynamics
Elon Musk’s political affiliations, especially his support for Donald Trump, may be discouraging potential Tesla customers. Reports of boycott movements have surfaced, with some vehicles sporting stickers that read, “I bought this before Elon went crazy.” However, it remains challenging to gauge the extent to which Musk’s actions and his backing of far-right views affect consumer interest.
Despite being the global leader in electric vehicles with its technologically advanced models priced competitively, Tesla is navigating challenges due to its evolving product range. The ongoing rollout of the updated Model Y SUV and the influx of electric models from competitors are contributing to these difficulties. Tesla has assured its stakeholders of a comeback with the introduction of affordable models set for release in late 2025, along with its innovative “robotaxi” concept.
The French automotive market showed little change in February, recording 141,568 registrations, still significantly below pre-Covid levels. Hybrid vehicles dominated the landscape, accounting for 44.3% of registrations in the first two months of the year, compared to 25.4% for gasoline models, a mere 4.6% for diesel, and 17.7% for electric vehicles.
Within automotive groups, Stellantis continues to experience a downward trend but has mitigated losses compared to previous months, reporting a 10.66% year-on-year decline, with ongoing drops at Citroën and Opel, while Peugeot remains stable. Conversely, the Renault group has seen significant growth at 17.62%, largely driven by strong sales of the Renault Clio. The Volkswagen group also enjoyed a boost, with a 13.31% increase in sales attributed to its main brand, as well as Skoda and Cupra.