WASHINGTON: Tesla Inc was the biggest loser among electric-vehicle (EV) makers last month in Germany, where consumers snubbed Elon Musk’s brand and bought more Volkswagen (VW), Seat and BMW cars.
VW gained the most, selling 6,521 more EVs than a year ago, according to more detailed data Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority released last Friday.
Volkswagen AG’s Seat brand saw the second-biggest increase, with 2,520 more cars registered.
Tesla sold 1,875 fewer vehicles in a month when total EV sales soared 54%, according to the authority known as KBA.
Its share of the European Union’s biggest EV market fell to 4% from 14% a year ago, trailing brands including Skoda, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
The top-line sales results Germany released earlier this week added to signs that Musk’s political activities are hurting Tesla in major EV markets.
The chief executive officer’s intervention in Germany’s upcoming federal election likely factored in last month’s showing – a poll taken in mid-January found he was viewed unfavourably, and that his political interventions in favour of the far-right Alternative for Germany party were unwelcome. — Bloomberg
