- The survey of more than 100,000 readers of a German outlet paints a dark picture for Tesla.
- Sales of Tesla vehicles have dropped over 70% through the first two months of 2025.
- Musk’s actions in the US, and meddling in Germany’s election, have caused controversy.
Elon Musk may have mastered the art of staying in headlines, but lately, not all press has been good press—especially if you’re trying to sell electric cars. While his public image in the US has taken a noticeable hit, things have turned downright bleak for Musk in Germany.
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Tesla’s sales there have nosedived, and to make matters worse, Musk’s appearance at Donald Trump’s January inauguration, complete with what many interpreted as a Nazi-like salute, has ignited fierce backlash to both the man and the brand across the country. Now, a new study lays bare just how deep Tesla’s troubles in Germany run.
The huge survey, carried out by German publication T-Online, polled around 100,000 readers and revealed that 94% of respondents wouldn’t touch a Tesla. Just 3% said they’d even consider one. It’s the kind of result that might make even the most confident CEO reconsider their strategy—or at least their social media posts.
Tesla’s Decline in Germany
Many had long expected Tesla’s dominance over the EV market to slowly fade as legacy car manufacturers got their act together and launched their own EVs. However, it hasn’t really been legacy brands that have Tesla quaking in its boots, but rather newer car companies from China, including BYD. In addition, Elon Musk’s foray into politics in the United States has hampered sentiment in Tesla.
Read: Activists Project ‘Heil Tesla’ Onto Musk’s Own German Gigafactory
It’s not just Musk’s involvement in US politics that’s hurting Tesla. Prior to Germany’s federal election in February, Musk threw his support behind the far-right AfD party or Alternative for Germany. Musk’s questionable antics have also continued online, and last week, he reposted a tweet on X proclaiming that, “Stalin, Mao and Hitler didn’t murder millions of people,” but rather, “their public sector workers did.”
Sales Slump Despite EV Market Recovery
If Tesla plans to regain footing in Germany, it has some serious damage control to do. Sales figures paint a stark picture: across January and February, Tesla sales dropped over 70%, even as Germany’s broader EV market bounced back from a sluggish 2024.
Much of Tesla’s hopes now rest on its updated Model Y. Borrowing design cues from the angular Cybertruck and futuristic Cybercab, the refreshed Model Y aims to deliver better efficiency, improved refinement, and a more polished driving experience.
On paper, it’s positioned to be one of the most well-rounded EVs available, but whether German buyers are ready to overlook Musk’s controversies and give it a chance is another question entirely.
