Key points
- Overall car sales in the region fell just 0.3pc
- Tesla’s Car sales in Europe fell 49pc in April
- European carmakers strive to cut domestic costs and tackle competition amid US tariffs
ISLAMABAD: Tesla’s sales in Europe fell 49 per cent in April from a year earlier, even as battery-electric sales rose by 27.8 per cent, as the US EV maker’s upgrade of its Model Y shows little sign of improving the brand’s tarnished image in the region, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, overall car sales in the region remained roughly consistent with last year, falling just 0.3 per cent, with the strongest sales growth coming from electric and plug-in hybrid cars, data by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed.
“Reflecting a shift away”
Tesla’s sales in Europe continue to decline, reflecting a shift away from the brand as Chinese competition strengthens and some protest against Elon Musk’s political views, according to Reuters.
Earlier, AFP reported that Tesla electric car sales in Europe plunged in the first three months of the year, industry data showed Thursday.
“Domestic costs”
European carmakers strive to cut domestic costs and tackle competition amid US tariffs on auto imports and a slowing global economy, with uncertainty overshadowing the industry’s outlook despite eased US-China trade tensions, according to Reuters.
April sales in the European Union, Britain and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) fell to 1.07 million cars, following a 2.8 per cent growth a month before, the ACEA data showed.
