Tesla's China-made EV sales fall 6% in April from last year

Sales have seen a decline across Europe in April as well.

It looks like there is no respite for Tesla in terms of falling sales. Tesla’s China-made EV sales fell 6 percent in April compared to a year earlier. This has extended declines for a seventh month as the EV maker faces stiff competition from Chinese rivals and a tarnished image in Europe.

Deliveries of China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, which account for exports to markets including Europe as well as China sales, totalled 58,459 units last month, down 25.8% from March, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

Sales have seen a decline across Europe in April as well. Buyers have shunned the brand because of CEO Elon Musk's embrace of far-right political causes and candidates in Europe. The Chinese, on the other hand, have increased their market share on the continent.

To offset the fall in sales in its major markets of Europe and the USA, Tesla is now ramping up efforts to enter new markets like India and Saudi Arabia. Chinese brands are also planning expansions in these markets.

Tesla’s Chinese rival, BYD, with its Ocean and Dynasty lineup of EVs and plug-in hybrids, saw a 19.4% jump year-on-year last month in global passenger vehicle sales to 372,615 vehicles. Additionally slew of crossover EV models launched at the Shanghai Motor Show has only added to Tesla’s sales woes in China and other parts of the globe.

Tesla will begin mass production of a low-cost Model Y in Shanghai in 2026.

Source: Reuters