ISTANBUL

Tesla's sales in Europe dropped 43.7% in the first half of the year on a yearly basis, data showed that was released Thursday by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).​​​​​​​

Billionaire Elon Musk's US-based electric vehicle company sold 70,655 units in the Jan.-June period in the EU, ACEA's report showed, while the figure was at 125,606 in the same period of 2024.

The market share of the company dropped to 1.3% in the six-month period from 2.2% in the same period of last year.

In Europe, including the EU, the European Free Trade Association, and the UK, Tesla's sales also fell 33.2% year-on-year to 109,879 units in the same period.

In June alone, Tesla saw a 39.5% fall in EU sales in the first half of the year, totaling 20,349 units. The EV firm's market share in the EU also declined to 2% in June 2025 from 3.1% in the same month of last year.

Meanwhile, battery electric car sales soared 24.9% in the first half of the year to 1.19 million units in Europe.

On the other hand, the Chinese automakers increased their sales 91% year-on-year in the six-month period to 347,135 units, according to data from JATO Dynamics.

Their market share also doubled to 5.1% compared to the same period of 2024.

“Persistently high prices, geopolitical and economic tensions with Europe’s trading partners, and the post-pandemic market reality are behind the decline,” said Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics. “Western Europe has lost the equivalent of more than 2.5 million units of annual sales since 2019.”

Tesla's sales have been rapidly declining in Europe in recent months due to Musk's controversial political stances, his intervention in European politics and the rapid competition from Chinese brands.