Tesla posted monster Q3 sales numbers in the US, with a nearly 30 percent jump as buyers rushed to make purchases before the Trump administration eliminated the federal EV tax credit. But that boon may be short-lived. October sales numbers are in from Europe, where Elon Musk has become unpopular due to meddling in right-wing politics. And those sales numbers are absolutely brutal.
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While US Sales Went Up, Europe Sales Crashed 50%
2026 Tesla Model Y StandardTesla
Reuters received data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association showing that Tesla’s sales dropped 48.5% in October compared to last year. Volkswagen sold more than three times as many EVs as Tesla in Europe during the month. Chinese rival BYD sold more than twice as many. Overall for the year, Tesla sales in Europe have dropped 30% so far.
Worryingly for Tesla, those poor sales figures are not a symptom of malaise in the broader EV market. Unlike America, where EV sales have stagnated and look to be faltering, European EV sales are up 26% so far in 2025. If things continue on their present course, Tesla will almost certainly have another negative sales year on a global scale. It would mark a second-straight year of declining global sales and be well off Elon Musk’s 2024 prediction of 20 to 25% sales growth.
2026 Tesla Model 3 Standard front angle in black while drivingTesla
Data in the Reuters report suggests that increased competition may be playing a role in Tesla’s European struggle. There are a wide range of EV options from domestic manufacturers and from China. There are currently 150 EVs on sale in the European market – 12 of them have a price tag starting below $30,000. Fifty more EV models are due to arrive next year. Tesla’s last new car launch in Europe was the Model Y crossover in 2021; the Cybertruck is not available for sale or import in Europe due to safety regulations. Though, like in America, the Model Y did receive a substantial Juniper update in 2025.
It’s Not Clear Where Tesla Heads From Here
How far can the Tesla Cybercab go on one full battery charge? Around 200 miles.Tesla
Cars remain Tesla’s primary source of revenue. However, the brand has been pivoting to technology. And its market cap, more than five times that of the second-largest automaker, Toyota, as of this writing, has more to do with the brand’s efforts in autonomous driving technology and robotics — though it’s not clear that Tesla is among the leading players in either field.
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Tesla doesn’t appear to have any wholesale platform replacements for its current vehicles on the horizon. The Model S sedan and Model X crossover have now been in production for more than a decade. Tesla opted not to build the long-awaited Model 2 and offered stripped-down versions of its current vehicles as new affordable options. Tesla is still accepting $50,000 deposits on the Roadster, which the brand has purportedly been working on since 2017 (and will purportedly debut on April Fools’ Day 2026).
The only new vehicle Tesla has confirmed that is heading to mass production is the driverless Cybercab, which the brand may not have the legal approval or technological wherewithal to operate on public roads.
Sources: Reuters, Electrek, Companiesmarketcap.com,
