Sign in Subscribe
Electric vehicles

Skoda Overtakes Tesla in European Electric Vehicle Sales as Boycott Continues

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Skoda has overtaken Tesla in European electric vehicle sales as motorists continue to shun Elon Musk's carmaker due to his support for Donald Trump. Skoda's sales surged after the launch of its popular electric Elroq SUV model, which accounted for 9,250 sales in May. Meanwhile, Tesla's sales fell by 28% to 14,055 in the same month, while the company's overall sales in Europe dropped for the fifth consecutive month. The boycott against Tesla is fuelled by its association with Trump and Right-wing politics, which has scared off potential buyers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Skoda has overtaken Tesla in European electric vehicle sales, with 14,920 Skoda EVs sold in May compared to 14,055 Tesla EVs.
  • Tesla's sales in the UK and Europe fell for the fifth successive month in May, down 40.5% year-on-year to 8,729 new registrations.
  • Overall EV sales in Europe rose by 27.2% over the period, accounting for 193,493 vehicles in total, while in the UK electric car sales increased by 25.8% in May.
  • Skoda's sales surge was fuelled by the launch of its electric Elroq SUV model, which accounted for 9,250 sales in May.
  • BYD, a Chinese carmaker, saw monthly sales rise by more than 400% to 3,025 cars sold in May, while Tesla's sales dropped by 36% in the UK.
  • Investors have grown increasingly concerned over the impact of Mr Musk's politics, as his support for Right-wing leaders scared off swathes of potential buyers.
  • A group of French drivers have sued Tesla over claims that Mr Musk has turned their cars into totems of the "extreme-Right".
  • OnePlus, the Chinese carmaker behind the cut-price Dolphin Surf, is eating into Tesla's market share.

Statistics:

  • 14,920: Skoda electric vehicle sales in May.
  • 14,055: Tesla electric vehicle sales in May, down 28% year-on-year.
  • 8,729: New Tesla registrations in the UK and Europe in May, down 40.5% year-on-year.
  • 193,493: Overall electric vehicle sales in Europe over the period, up 27.2% year-on-year.
  • 25.8%: Electric car sales increase in the UK in May.
  • 400%: Monthly sales increase of BYD, the Chinese carmaker.
  • 36%: Tesla's sales drop in the UK in May.
  • 10%: Tesla's share price fall so far this year.

Sources:

  • DataForce market research firm
  • European Automobile Manufacturers Association
  • Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
  • Reuters
  • Bloomberg
  • Skoda Auto
  • BYD
  • Tesla

Read more