Summary
Tesla’s European sales are plummeting, with Germany seeing a 60% drop despite strong EV growth. Similar declines hit Norway, Sweden, and France.
While some blame the Osborne effect—buyers delaying purchases for a refreshed Model Y—Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s far-right AfD may also be repelling customers.
Online backlash has linked Tesla to fascist imagery. In contrast, UK sales fell only 7.8%, suggesting political factors play a role.
With strong domestic EV competition in Europe, Tesla’s reputation crisis could further hurt demand.
When it comes to EVs, the US is on the wrong side of history. Tesla may be there, but the US main export is oil and has been for at least 15 years.
Tesla is valuable because they’re looking to put taxi drivers out of a job forever.
China on the other hand has hardly any oil. Same with most of Europe. On this issue at least, we should be allies.
Between them the US, Russia and Saudi Arabia will still boil the Earth, but at least we won’t be fuelling their war machines while they do.