After a difficult start to the year in many parts of Europe, Tesla’s sales in the United Kingdom (UK) have experienced a notable increase in February.
According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK has emerged as a bright spot for Tesla, with 3,851 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles sold in February, resulting in a 21% year-over-year (YoY) increase in sales.
This was enough to place the Model 3 and Model Y as the second and third best selling cars respectively in the UK in the month of February.
With the sales increase, Tesla’s market share in the UK climbed from 3.75% in February 2024 to 4.6% last month, highlighting the continued demand for Tesla’s EVs.
While Tesla has seen gains in the UK, its performance across the rest of Europe has not been as positive, where the company has experienced double digit declines in many markets. Several factors have likely attributed to this decline. In Germany, Musk’s vocal support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party may have alienated potential buyers. Additionally, Tesla’s recent production adjustments at Giga Berlin to introduce the new Model Y have also contributed to temporary slowdowns in deliveries.
Tesla also continues to face competition in Europe, where more EVs are available, from both legacy automakers and new entrants. Chinese EV giant BYD has made significant inroads in the UK, with sales skyrocketing by 334% in February. Similarly, European brands like Volkswagen, BMW, and Renault have expanded their EV offerings.
