Elon Musk might plan on being with Tesla for the foreseeable future, but the board could have a different opinion if sales keep sinking like they have been. The CEO admitted recently that sales in Europe were problematic, and now we have more evidence of that. Tesla’s sales are down across the continent, and the issue appears to be getting worse.

More: The Tesla Model Y Has A New Rival From Toyota That’s Half The Price

It’s no secret that Musk’s divisive actions have led to boycotts and protests. What’s perhaps more surprising, though, is just how dramatically European buyers seem willing to stay away from Tesla. According to preliminary data from market research firm Dataforce, shared with Autonews Europe, the brand’s sales have dropped by over 38% through April, going from 101,677 units last year to just 62,313 this year.

The sales slump looks even worse when you break down the numbers for April alone. Sales year over year for the month fell from 14,696 to just 7,908. That’s a drop off of 46.2 percent. Low-volume cars like the Model S and Model X saw a combined decrease in sales of 69.1 percent, falling from 224 sales in April last year to just 69 this year. It’s not as if the high-volume cars are faring much better either.

Even the Model Y Isn’t Safe

Despite just launching a new and improved Model Y, the brand’s most popular car globally, it’s struggling too. Sales plummeted from 9,704 units in April last year to just 4,743 this April, a staggering 51.1% drop.That’s a devastating number. Tesla mentioned earlier in the year that a sales slowdown would happen for Model Y as production changed from the previous generation to this one. It also confirmed that it’s since finished that switch so this drop isn’t a result of that. Since the beginning of the year, Model Y sales across the EU, U.K., and EFTA countries have dropped by 48.4%. Ouch.

Tesla’s other key player, the Model 3, also saw a huge decline. Sales dropped from 4,768 units in April 2024 to 3,094 last month, a 35.1% decrease.

This would all be a lot easier to swallow for Tesla if sales were down for everyone, but that’s not the case. As Auto News points out, overall sales for all brands were essentially flat in April, with a minor dip of just 0.3% in the EU, U.K., and EFTA countries, down to 1,085,092, or about 4,000 fewer units than in April 2024.

In fact, the European market is actually embracing electrification more than ever this year. Battery-electric vehicle (EV) sales are up 28%, full-hybrid sales are up 16%, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) deliveries have risen by 12%. Meanwhile, sales of non-hybrid gasoline cars fell by 7.2%, and diesel vehicles saw a 19% decline.

It’ll be interesting to see what moves Tesla makes next. As of now, it seems like the company is sticking with its “keep calm and carry on” strategy. But given these numbers, it’s safe to say that strategy might need some serious rethinking.

It’s no secret that Western brands are having a tough time in China after making bank for years. Sales are falling as buyers turn to domestic brands that are gaining ground fast and in some instances overtaking legacy automakers. BMW and Mercedes were comprehensively outsold in 2024 by a brand that didn’t even exist four years earlier.

Also: Aito Gets 70,000 Pre-Orders For New M8 EREV

That brand is Aito, one that you might not have heard of even if you’re familiar with other Chinese automaker like XPeng, Xiaomi and Nio that we frequently cover here at Carscoops. Aito was born in 2021 when smartphone maker Huawei teamed up with Seres Group, a company once known for its basic mini trucks and minivans whose twin kidney grilles were shameless rip-offs of BMW’s.

Two brands, one with no high-end car-building expertise and the other completely new to to car game? It doesn’t sound like the basis for a company that could crush the kings of Western luxury carmaking within a few short years, but that’s exactly what has happened. Seres Group’s total vehicle sales trebled in three years to 427,000 according to figures quoted by Bloomberg, and Aito’s success was a major driver.

Aito’s Breakthrough Year

Atio sold 151,000 luxury cars last year – defined as vehicles costing over ¥500,000 ($69k) – making it the most popular brand in the luxury segment. BMW came second with 145,000 units and Mercedes was a distant third having delivered 127,000 cars. Fourth-placed Land Rover scraped 50,000 sales and Porsche, whose China woes are well known, secured fifth spot with 48,0000 units delivered, ThinkerCar’s data shows.

Because most of Aito’s models fall below the ¥500k luxury threshold, the heavy lifting at the high end was handled by the brand’s M9, an SUV that’s roughly the same size as China’s long-wheelbase BMW X5 and comes with a triple-screen dashboard and a choice of range-extender and full EV powertrains.

Seres 5 Review: Can A Chinese Newcomer Beat Tesla And BMW In The EV Game?

Aito isn’t slowing down. The company launched a slightly smaller version of the M9 this year called the M8, which is just 40 mm (1.6 in) shorter, and it’s set to continue cranking up the heat on Western luxury brands in 2025. However, even Aito has to contend with a general slowdown in luxury car demand and an all-out price war. Still, it’s clear that the brand’s rapid ascent is far from a fluke.

Despite the uncertainty created by newly imposed tariffs, sales of electrified vehicles are still surging, with BEVs (battery electric vehicles) and PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) flying off the lots in record numbers. And it’s not just North America leading the charge, as markets like China and Europe are seeing even more impressive growth.

As we reported last month, global sales of BEVs and PHEVs had already topped 4.1 million through the first three months of the year. Now, with April’s figures in, the total for the first four months stands at an impressive 5.6 million units, according to data from RhoMotion.

April alone saw 1.5 million electrified vehicles sold, marking a 29 percent increase compared to the same month last year. That said, it’s worth noting a slight dip of 12 percent from March, which might suggest that the initial rush to purchase before the full impact of tariffs hit has already cooled off.

Read: Electrified Sales Are Surging Globally But A Dark Cloud Is Gathering

Continuing to lead the charge was China. A total of 3.3 million BEVs and PHEVs have been sold this year, representing a 35% jump from last year. Sales slipped 9% in April compared to the month prior, but were up 32% compared to April 2024.

It’s worth noting that the US and China recently announced a reduction in tariffs, including eliminating some and suspending others for 90 days. However, this move primarily affects parts in the auto industry, as Biden’s previously imposed electric vehicle tariffs remains firmly in place.

Across the Atlantic, North America has seen steady, if not explosive, growth. Sales have reached around 600,000 vehicles this year, a 5% increase from last year. While we don’t have a breakdown for the US, Canada, and Mexico, it’s reported that sales in Mexico have nearly doubled year-to-date.

JAN-APR EV & PHEV SALES

After a rough 2024 for EV and PHEV sales in Europe, things are looking considerably brighter this year. In the first four months alone, sales have surged by 25%, reaching 1.2 million vehicles. BEVs are leading the charge, with a 29% increase in sales year-to-date, outpacing the 16% growth in PHEVs. Germany (+42%), Italy (+56%), Spain (+57%), and the UK (+32%) are all reporting significant increases in sales. However, France is still struggling, with sales down 14% so far this year, a decline largely attributed to cuts in consumer incentives.

As Charles Lester, Rho Motion’s data manager, points out, “Ongoing tariff negotiations are dominating talk in the electric vehicle industry, but quietly, domestic manufacturers in China and the EU continue to perform well and grow market share.”

Faraday Future has big plans including a new mainstream FX brand. It’s expected to offer an assortment of vehicles including a Super One minivan, an FX 6 crossover, and an entry-level FX 5 that costs between $20,000 and $30,000.

That’s a lot of new product, but Faraday Future doesn’t exactly have the best track record. On top of that, they’ve released their first quarter financial results, which paint a concerning picture.

More: Faraday X Super One Minivan Teased With A Big Honkin’ Grille

How bad? In the first quarter, the company delivered a grand total of two cars. That’s less than one per month, but it didn’t stop the automaker from proclaiming they expanded their “client base” and officially entered the East Coast market thanks to a delivery in New York.

That’s some glass half full thinking and things only get worse from there. Given dismal sales of the FF 91, the company only generated $300,000 (£225,576 / €266,712) in revenue from deliveries and leases.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Faraday continues to hemorrhage money. While the press release didn’t mention their net loss, it was buried in their financial presentation and totaled over $10.2 (£7.7 / €9.2) million. However, it’s $43.8 (£33.2 / €39.5) million operating loss is more eye-catching.

Those are some bleak numbers and their release had more warnings than a five alarm fire. These included the company’s “history of losses and expectation of continued losses” as well as risks related to operations in China.

Faraday Future did reiterate some good news including a pre-order agreement for 1,000 FX Super One vans from JC Auto. However, the forward looking statement burst that bubble as it noted the true number “may be as few as two.”

Likewise, the previously announced pre-order deal with Sky Horse Auto for 300 MPVs could be “as few as one.” On the bright side, their $30,000 (£22,550 / €26,658) deposit was non-refundable and that’s big money for a firm like Faraday.

Tesla’s massive factory in Shanghai, China, has the capacity to build roughly 1 million vehicles every year. However, it could fall quite short of that number this year based on disappointing sales figures of its Chinese-made models in April, which slipped 25.8% from the month prior.

The China Passenger Car Association revealed that a total of 58,459 Tesla Model 3s and Model Ys built in China were sold last month. Importantly, this figure isn’t a reflection of the total number of vehicles that Tesla sold in China alone, but also includes other markets where it sells Shanghai-built vehicles, including Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Read: Tesla Sales Crash Over 80% In Sweden And That’s Just The Beginning

This is just the latest episode of Tesla’s sales drop saga in recent days. In April, its sales collapsed in key European markets like Spain, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the UK. Its sales have also tanked in Australia, where, not too long ago, it was the EV leader. In April, seven other EV models from Chinese and Korean brands outsold the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3.

Rivals Are Closing In

Many factors at play can help to explain why Tesla sales continue to fall. Obviously, negative public sentiment about chief executive Elon Musk is one of them, particularly due to his meddling in politics, not just in the US but around the world as well. Additionally, Tesla has a relatively limited and aging line-up of EVs compared to some of its competitors, with the Model 3 and Model Y being the serious volume sellers.

Rivals are also quickly gaining ground on the American brand. In April, Nio’s sales grew 53% from a year ago, with 23,900 vehicles sold. Additionally, Xpeng recorded its second-best month ever, securing 35,045 sales. Xiaomi also managed to deliver more than 28,000 vehicles in April while Li Auto’s sales rose 32% to 33,939.

Electric vehicle sales in Australia are shifting fast, and the usual frontrunners are no longer guaranteed a spot at the top. As more buyers look beyond the legacy names, newer players are gaining ground, especially those with sharper price tags and more features for the money.

In 2023 and 2024, the Tesla Model Y was comfortably the best-selling EV in Australia. However, new options from Chinese and Korean brands have led to a massive slump in local sales of the Model Y, so much so that in April, it was only the 8th best-selling EV in the country. Evidently, it’s not just in Europe where Elon Musk’s company is falling out of favor.

Read: Tesla Couldn’t Even Sell Its Model Y Launch Editions As Hundreds Are Sitting Unsold

Storming in as the best-selling EV by far in Australia last month was the BYD Sealion 7, according to a report from Carsguide. It is the latest addition to BYD’s Ocean series of models and undercuts the Model Y on price, starting at AU$54,990 (~$35,400) and topping out at AU$63,990 (~$41,200), compared to the new Tesla that starts at AU$63,400 (~$40,800) and AU$73,400 (~$47,200) for the flagship version. Last month, 734 Sealion 7s were sold across the country.

Next up is the MG 4. While it’s been around for a couple of years now, the electric hatchback remains popular with 363 units sold in April. This positioned it just ahead of the BYD Atto 3, with 355 sold. Kia’s newly-launched EV5 and EV3 have also been well-received by local shoppers, with sales of 342 and 336, respectively. The BYD Seal then shifted 325 units while the new Geely EX5 sold 325 examples.

Then there’s the Tesla Model Y. A total of 280 were sold last month, positioning it slightly ahead of the Tesla Model 3 with 220 sales. Rounding out the top 10 was the BYD Dolphin with 216 examples finding new homes.

Now, before you start thinking recent sales represent the imminent collapse of Tesla, it’s worth noting that throughout April in Australia, Tesla was selling a mix of the outgoing Model Y and the brand new version. As we can see from the official page, Tesla still has a healthy inventory of the old crossover.

Many shoppers are likely holding off on placing an order until the new Model Y lands in earnest, which will happen over the next couple of months. Nevertheless, April’s results will likely have some local Tesla executives a little worried.

BEST SELLING VEHICLES AUSTRALIA

Wider Market Trends

Australia’s total new car sales declined in April. A total of 90,614 new vehicles were sold across the country last month, representing a decline of 6.8% compared to the same month in 2024 and quite a dramatic fall from the 108,606 new cars sold in March.

EV SALES AUSTRALIA

Tesla’s European sales are, to put it lightly, in freefall. After months of steadily declining numbers, April was a particularly disastrous month for the electric vehicle maker. Key markets like Spain, Germany, Belgium, France, and the UK all saw significant drops, leaving Tesla wondering if it can get back on track anytime soon.

Germany, in particular, seems to be where Tesla’s problems are most evident. In April, the company sold just 885 vehicles in the country, down a staggering 45.9% compared to the same month last year. So far this year, Tesla has sold 5,820 vehicles in Germany, marking a 60.4% drop from 2024. Keep in mind, this is the country that houses Tesla’s only European factory, so things are clearly not going according to plan.

Read: Tesla Sales Crash Over 80% In Sweden And That’s Just The Beginning

It’s clear that public sentiment surrounding Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, plays a significant role in the company’s declining sales. This year, he’s spent a lot of time aligning himself with controversial figures like Donald Trump and making his presence felt in U.S. politics. Additionally, his public support for a far-right political party in Germany ahead of its recent federal elections has certainly contributed to some of the backlash.

Tesla has also been shifting the European supply of the best-selling Model Y to the recently updated ‘Juniper’ model. However, as local deliveries of this new model have already started, sales should be stronger than they are proving to be.

As Tesla struggled in Germany, some of its competition thrived. BYD, still a relatively new player in the country, sold 1,566 vehicles last month, a 755.7% jump over April 2024. Year-to-date sales are also up 384.5% to 2,791 units. MG sales were also up 34% in April. Polestar also reported a 47.1% increase in sales, with 303 units sold last month.

It’s not much better in the UK, where Tesla sales absolutely cratered in April. With only 512 units sold, the company saw a 62% drop compared to the year before. This is bad, even by bad-news standards.

Tesla’s struggles extend across several other European countries as well. In Spain, sales dropped 36%. In Belgium, it was 55%. France saw a 59% decline, Denmark 67%, and in Sweden, a jaw-dropping 81% drop in April. To put it bluntly, Tesla’s grip on the European market is slipping faster than the price of an electric car at a dealership going out of business.

Germany April 2025 Sales

MACON, Ga.- Blue Bird Corporation (“Blue Bird”) (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, announced today its fiscal 2025 second quarter results.

“I am incredibly proud of our team in delivering another outstanding result, achieving a new all-time quarterly record revenue and profit,” said John Wyskiel, President & CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “The Blue Bird team continued to exceed expectations, improving operations, driving new orders, and expanding our leadership in alternative-powered buses. Market demand remains very strong with approximately 4,900 units in our order backlog at the end of the second quarter. Unit sales were slightly above the same period as last year, and revenue was up by $12.9M, driven by product mix and pricing. We delivered an exceptional 14% Adj. EBITDA margin for Q2 2025. With 88% of our second quarter unit sales mix comprised of internal combustion engine (ICE) buses, this result demonstrates the very strong earnings power of our core business.

“In our push to expand our leadership in alternative-powered school buses, we delivered a record 265 electric-powered buses this quarter. As of the end of the quarter, we have more than 1,100 EV buses either sold or in our firm order backlog, which supports our EV sales target for 2025.

“Based on our strong Q2 performance, we’ve maintained our full-year financial guidance for Adjusted EBITDA at $200 million, with a 14% margin. This will be an all-time full-year record for Blue Bird, and we look forward to sustained profitable growth in the coming years.”

FY2025 Guidance and Long-Term Outlook Reaffirmed

“We are very pleased with the second quarter results, with our highest ever quarterly revenue and Adj. EBITDA” said Razvan Radulescu, CFO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Our business is in a very strong position and we continue to deliver ahead of the plan we have been messaging. We are reaffirming our full-year 2025 guidance for Net Revenue to $1.4-1.5 Billion, Adj. EBITDA to $190-210 million and Adj. Free Cash Flow to $60-80 million. Additionally, we are confirming our long-term profit outlook towards an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 15%+ on ~$2 billion in revenue.”

Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Results

Net Sales
Net sales were $358.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $12.9 million, or 3.7%, compared to $345.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase in net sales is primarily due to a small increase in Bus unit bookings as well as Bus customer and product mix changes that were partially offset by a small decrease in Parts sales.

Bus sales increased $14.8 million, or 4.6%, reflecting a 1.8% increase in unit bookings and a 2.8% increase in average sales price per unit. In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, 2,295 units booked compared to 2,254 units booked for the same period in fiscal 2024. The small increase in unit price for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the same period in fiscal 2024 was primarily due to customer and product mix changes.

Parts sales decreased $1.8 million, or 6.5%, for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2024. This decrease is primarily attributed to slight variations due to product and channel mix.

Gross Profit
Second quarter gross profit of $70.9 million represented an increase of $7.2 million from the second quarter of last year. The increase was primarily driven by the $12.9 million increase in net sales, discussed above, and partially offset by a corresponding increase of $5.7 million in cost of goods sold.

Net Income
Net income was $26.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, the same as from the second quarter of last year. Among other smaller fluctuations, the $7.2 million increase in gross profit, discussed above, was offset by an increase of $9.6 million in selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily due to an increase in a) share-based compensation expense recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 relating to the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer and b) labor costs.

Adjusted Net Income
Adjusted net income of $31.5 million represented an increase of $2.3 million from the second quarter of last year. The increase was primarily driven by a tax effected increase of $3.7 million in share-based compensation expense, largely relating to the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer, and partially offset by a tax effected $1.4 million in stockholder transaction costs that was present in the second quarter of last year, with no such expense in the current year.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $49.2 million, which was an increase of $3.5 million compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase primarily relates to the $4.9 million increase in share-based compensation expense and $1.9 million decrease in stockholder transaction costs, both discussed above.

Year-to-Date Fiscal 2025 Results

Net Sales
Net sales were $672.7 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025, an increase of $9.1 million, or 1.4%, compared to $663.6 million for the six months ended March 30, 2024. The increase in net sales is primarily due to a small increase in Bus unit bookings as well as Bus customer and product mix changes that were partially offset by a small decrease in Parts sales.

Bus sales increased $9.5 million, or 1.5%, reflecting a 1.0% increase in units booked and a 0.6% increase in average sales price per unit. 4,425 units booked in the six months ended March 29, 2025 compared with 4,383 units booked during the same period in fiscal 2024. The small increase in unit price for the first six months of fiscal 2025 compared to the same period in fiscal 2024 was primarily due to customer and product mix changes.

Parts sales decreased $0.3 million, or 0.6%, for the six months ended March 29, 2025 compared to the six months ended March 30, 2024. This small decrease is primarily attributed to slight variations due to product and channel mix.

Gross Profit
Fiscal year-to-date gross profit was $131.2 million, an increase of $4.0 million from the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by the $9.1 million increase in net sales, discussed above, and partially offset by a corresponding increase of $5.2 million in cost of goods sold.

Net Income
Net income was $54.8 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025, a $2.6 million increase from the same period in the prior year. The increase in net income was primarily driven by the $4.0 million increase in gross profit, discussed above.

Adjusted Net Income
Adjusted net income was $62.1 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025, an increase of $3.2 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This is primarily due to the $2.6 million increase in net income, discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $95.0 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025, an increase of $1.6 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This is primarily due to the $2.6 million increase in net income, discussed above.

About Blue Bird Corporation:
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

The post Blue Bird Reports Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Results; Beats Second Quarter Guidance With Record Result; Reaffirms 2025 Guidance and Long-Term Outlook appeared first on School Transportation News.

Last September, Volvo rowed back from its previous pledge to go all-electric by 2030, and now, eight months later, that looks like a very smart move. The Geely-owned automaker just announced its latest sales figures, and they show registrations of fully electric Volvo vehicles fell by almost one-third.

Volvo’s EV sales fell 32 percent in April versus the same period last year. The company sold 17,090 EVs in April 2024, compared to the 11,697 EVs sold in the month just gone. PHEV sales actually grew fractionally (by 2 percent) to 14,688, but MHEV and ICE registrations also dropped 5 percent to 34,315.

Related: Trump’s Tariffs Drive Volvo To Build A New Model In The US

That means Volvo’s combined electric sales were down 16 percent, and total sales for all power types for April stood at 65,838, or 11 percent lower than they were for the corresponding period last year. And April’s terrible performance really dragged down the overall Q1 EV sales figures, which showed a 6 percent sales decline and are down 7 percent Jan-April.

The lacklustre demand for EVs comes despite the EX30 being rolled out to the US and sales of the big EX90 also now having begun. But Volvo is one of the automakers affected by President Trump’s tariffs, albeit not as badly affected as Audi or Porsche. Although it does build the EX90 at its South Carolina plant in the US, other models like the XC90, XC60, XC40, and EX30 are all made overseas and subject to import levies.

Volvo sales April 2025

Volvo is looking to address that issue and is planning to build a second model – probably the XC60 or XC90 – at the same site. Volvo recently dropped the S90 from the US market due to tariffs, though the newly facelifted sedan will still be offered in Asia.

The man tasked with managing the turnaround is Hakan Samuelsson, who returned to the CEO role on April 1 on a two-year contract while the company looks for a permanent new boss. He replaces Jim Rowan, who took over from Samulesson in 2022 but was shown the door this spring after three years in the big chair.

Tesla’s sales slump in Europe isn’t letting up, and now it’s starting to look like more than just a temporary dip from the Model Y changeover. For the fourth month in a row, the EV company’s numbers are sliding in several key markets, and this time the declines are steep. In April, at least three major countries reported year-over-year drops of more than 59 percent. Tesla may be running out of time to figure out how to stop the bleeding.

Read: Tesla’s In Crisis, How Would You Save It?

Tesla’s sales are diving headfirst into the red. In France, deliveries were down 59.4 percent compared to April last year, with just 863 vehicles sold. Denmark saw a 67.2 percent decrease, bringing the monthly total there to only 180 cars. But, as reported by Reuters, Sweden takes the prize for most dramatic plunge: sales dropped 80.7 percent, from 1,052 units last April to just 208 this year.

A Rougher Ride Ahead

The broader trend doesn’t look much better. Tesla’s overall European sales dropped 28.2 percent in March, and April seems poised to show even worse results once full data is available. In Norway, figures from OFV show that Tesla’s market share has slipped from 18 percent to just 11 percent compared to the same period last year.

Chinese automakers, meanwhile, have moved ahead, claiming 12 percent of Norway’s market. “Tesla is nowhere near the level we are used to; you can’t pretend otherwise,” OFV noted.

Much of this feels like a perfect storm against Tesla alone. Tesla has chalked up its weak Q1 performance to a production switch from the outgoing Model Y to the updated version. But that’s only part of the story and it doesn’t apply to Europe which received the facelift model early on in the year.

At the same time, it’s facing pressure from rival brands and even more from Chinese EVs that often sell for less. On top of all that, Elon Musk’s political views have distanced many of his customer base in the area.

That said, it’ll be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of this sales dip from an official Tesla standpoint. The company openly said that production slowdowns from the first quarter are done, so what will it say if this downward projection continues?

Will it reverse course on its public statements about searching for a new CEO? How will it explain a sales dip when its most popular model, the Y, is struggling to sell despite just launching a heavily updated version? Only time will tell. 

Update: As it turns out, there are a lot more unsold Launch Edition Model Ys floating around than we initially thought. When we looked into it last week, there were only 18 Launch Editions available across the USA. Well, we checked again, and now Tesla is showing that it has a whopping 328 in stock.

What’s interesting is that when the Launch Edition was first available to order, the white interior was supposedly “sold out.” Now, out of those 328 cars, 202 come with that very white interior. Meanwhile, Tesla’s overall Model Y inventory has also swelled to 626 examples of the Juniper, according to Tesla-Info stats. So, yes, a lot has changed since our last update. We’ve tweaked the article below to reflect the latest numbers.

Back in late January, Tesla rolled out its updated Model Y to the U.S. market with the limited-run Launch Edition. But, much like that one band you only get to see live in a tiny venue before they blow up, the Launch Edition was only available for a brief moment. The clock ticked down on those special editions in less than two months, before the more mainstream Long Range AWD version of the refreshed Model Y made its debut.

Read: At $59,990, New 2025 Tesla Model Y Juniper Launch Series Is $4K Cheaper Than The Old One

If you missed your chance to grab one, there’s plenty of hope, as at the time of publishing, at least 328 are listed in Tesla’s U.S. inventory. We’ve been keeping an eye on the numbers, and it looks like Tesla continues to quietly add more every few days. Apparently, the company didn’t manage to sell through all of its special edition Launch Series models, which isn’t all that surprising considering the recent dip in its overall sales.

A deeper dive into Tesla-Info’s current listings shows there are 626 examples of the 2026 Model Y sitting in inventory, ready for delivery without the need to go through the usual wait tied to custom orders. Among them, are the aforementioned Launch Series editions, all listed at the original $59,990 sticker price. That drops to $52,490 if you qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

Buyers can choose from nearly every available color (except the new Diamond Black), along with the 20-inch Helix wheels or the smaller, more efficient 19-inch Crossflow rims. While the Launch Series comes fully loaded with all the major options, Tesla still offered some flexibility in choosing colors, wheels, and other select features. However, every model in this batch includes the $2,000 Acceleration Boost and the $8,000 Full-Self Driving Beta capability as standard.

These Launch Edition models are scattered across a variety of states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Washington, among others.

All Model Y Launch Series models come equipped with dual-motor all-wheel drive and are rated for an estimated 327 miles (526 kilometers) of range with the 19-inch wheels, or 303 miles (488 kilometers) with the larger 20s. With the Acceleration Boost activated, they’ll go from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in a quick 4.1 seconds with rollout, and reach a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).

More: Seres 5 Crushes Tesla Model Y In Comfort But Loses The Battle Where It Counts

Is the so-called Juniper Model Y better than the car it replaces? According to early reviews from both owners and journalists, the answer seems to be yes. The new Model Y is reportedly quieter, smoother to drive, and just looks more polished overall. Whether you’re a Tesla fan or not, there’s a growing consensus that the refreshed model is a strong step forward.

So, Is the Launch Edition Worth It?

Whether the premium for the Launch Edition is worth it really depends on how much you value the included standard features. Technically, it saves you several thousand dollars compared to fully optioning a standard Long Range AWD model, which isn’t the case for all the other inventory units currently available. If those extras don’t matter to you, the standard LR offers much better value. You can even add the Acceleration Boost for $2,000 through the app, so it’s not exactly a deal-breaker.

Plus, if you’re in a state like Massachusetts, which offers an additional $3,500 rebate for EVs priced under $50,000, the Launch Edition’s price tag will disqualify it from that sweet rebate.

John Halas contributed to this story.

Ford is pouring tens of billions of dollars into electric vehicles, betting big on a future that’s already here, but so far, the returns aren’t looking great. While the EV market overall continues to grow, Ford’s own electric sales are moving in the opposite direction. If the Dearborn automaker wants to close the gap with rivals like GM and Hyundai-Kia, let alone take a swing at Tesla’s lead, it needs to figure out how to boost local EV sales, and quickly.

A look at Ford’s most recent sales results does not paint a pretty picture for the automaker. In April, Ford managed to sell 4,859 EVs across the country. This represents a massive 39.4% decline from the 8,014 units it sold in April last year. Ford’s total EV sales for the first four months of 2025 are also down 2.9% from last year, with 27,409 units finding new homes. And that’s with Ford extending its popular Employee Pricing discounts for all.

Read: Ford Chief Says China Leads US By 10 Years In EV Batteries, Needs Their IP

A dramatic drop in demand for the Mustang Mach-E is the main reason why Ford’s sales collapsed last month. In April, 2,927 Mustang Mach-Es were sold, representing a 40.2% decline from the 4,893 sold in April 2024. Interestingly, sales are up by 0.4% year to date with 14,534 sales.

Sales of the F-150 Lightning have also dropped. In April 2024, Ford shifted 2,090 units, but this year, just 1,740. Year-to-date sales are also down 9.2% to 8,927. The E-Transits also had a very bad month with just 192 sales, a plunge of 81.5%.

Unlike its EVs, Ford’s hybrids are actually gaining ground. In April, the company sold 23,331 hybrid models, a 29.6% increase over the previous year. Year-to-date, hybrid sales are up 31.9%, with 74,404 units sold so far in 2025.

Outside of EVs, things are looking good for Ford. In April, the company’s total vehicle sales rose 16.2% compared to the same month in 2024, reaching 208,675 units versus 179,588 last year.

With the exception of EVs, Ford’s overall sales are up through the first four months of the year, despite the turmoil that the whole industry is facing since the introduction of Trump’s tariffs. Year-to-date, Ford has sold 709,966 vehicles in the US, or 3.2% more than the 687,671 it delivered in 2024.

Jimmy P. (Jim) Elliott is being fondly remembered by colleagues following his death on April 20 at Mennonite Friendship Communities in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was 90.

Elliott started his career in the petrochemical industry and worked in the cellular phone business before joining the student transportation field. He joined Collins Bus and worked various sales management positions at the company until 1994.

He then took a job at Masters Transportation working as a sales representative to provide Collins Bus buses throughout Kansas. In 2013, he rejoined the Collins team as a sales consultant and stayed there till his retirement in 2020.

“Jim was more than just a valued member of our team for over 20 years—he was a legend in the school bus industry and a true embodiment of kindness, professionalism, and dedication,” said Collins Bus via a social media statement. “His contributions to Collins Bus and the school bus industry will not be forgotten. More importantly, neither will the person he was.”

Joe Leggett, currently the sales business development manager at REI, was the Collins Bus director of sales from 2017-2022 and worked directly with Elliott. He remembered Elliott as a “longtime friend, mentor and peer.”

“To say he was well-liked would be an understatement. He was one of those rare individuals who left every room brighter than he found it — a true gentleman, a steady presence, and a passionate advocate for safety and excellence in our industry. His wisdom shaped countless careers, and his kindness touched even more lives,” said Leggett in a statement posted on LinkedIn. “He wasn’t just a legend because of how long he worked in this space — he was a legend because of how he worked: With heart, humor, tenacity, and humility. I feel grateful for the time we shared and the many conversations that helped guide me personally and professionally. He’ll be deeply missed by many, but his impact will be felt for years to come.”

Many other professionals in the student transportation industry voiced on social media their condolences and fond memories of learning from and working with Elliott. Tony Augsburger, director of sales at Collins Bus, recalled being hired by Elliott and later spending time together reminiscing.

“We spent 2 hours talking about the good old days at Mid Bus and Collins Bus. The friends we shared in common. Even in his late 80’s Jim was still thinking about Collins Bus and all of the great products the company offered to transport student safely. Jim was certainly the pioneer of the MFSAB (Multi-Function School Activity Bus) product line,” Augsburger said. “He was more than [a] boss, more than a mentor, but he was a true friend and treated everyone with respect and we are all so blessed to have Jim in our lives.”

According to his obituary, Elliott attended the University of Kansas on a track scholarship and convinced NBA Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain to join the team as a high jumper. Later, Eliott was known for being an avid golfer. His obituary requested that memorial funds be donated to the Jim Elliott Memorial Fund for supporting young golfers pursuing the sport.

He is survived by Shiela, hiss wife of 28 years, a son, daughter, stepsons, and multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for June 21 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, Kansas.

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Related: NAPT Hall of Famer Donn Remembered for ‘Crucial Role’ Played in Industry
Related: Connie Murray Remembered for Advocacy of Child Safety, Securement in School Buses
Related: Author, Speaker LeMon Remembered for School Bus Safety Advocacy

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A-Z Bus Sales, Inc., a leading transportation solutions provider, proudly announces the delivery of its 1000th all-electric, zero-emission Blue Bird school bus, a significant milestone in California’s pursuit of sustainable transportation. Blue Bird’s authorized bus dealer will host a celebration on April 29th, 2025, at Orange Unified School District, one of A-Z Bus Sales’ largest electric school bus customers in Southern California.

As a pioneer in electric school bus adoption, A-Z Bus Sales has played a key role in helping school districts transition to cleaner, more reliable, and eco-friendly transportation solutions. This journey began decades ago with the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Propane-powered school buses and has now culminated in the deployment of zero-emission electric buses.

A-Z delivered its first zero-emission electric Blue Bird school bus, powered by Accelera / Cummins, in 2018. Since then, the company has expanded its services by creating a Grants Department to help school districts secure funding, an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (EVI) Department to manage charging needs, and an EV Mobile Support team to ensure quick repairs and maximized uptime.

The surge in demand for electric school buses has led to a 30% increase in A-Z Bus Sale’s workforce, creating high-demand jobs in fields such as EV technician services, infrastructure engineering, and administration. This growth is vital to supporting the increasing number of electric buses on the road.

“We’re proud to be at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution in school transportation,” said John Landherr, President and CEO of A-Z Bus Sales. “The lessons we’ve learned along the way allow us to help school districts navigate challenges and confidently transition their fleets. At the end of the day, it’s incredibly rewarding to know we’re making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve and contributing to a more sustainable future for our children.”

The environmental benefits of these electric buses are substantial. Over the lifetime of the 1000 electric school buses, more than 10,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases are expected to be reduced, along with a 33 metric ton reduction in NOx emissions. Additionally, school districts benefit from lower maintenance and fuel costs, prompting many to expand their electric fleets. Several districts have even moved to 100% electric school bus transportation.

Innovative Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows these buses to provide additional grid support, enhancing future energy resiliency. According to Harvard University’s School of Public Health, each electric school bus could deliver up to $247,000 in climate and health benefits, making the transition to electric transportation cost-effective and a significant driver of environmental and public health improvement.

“We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the incredible support of our partners,” said Brandon Bluhm, COO of A-Z Bus Sales. “From our manufacturing partners at Blue Bird, Micro Bird, Accelera, and Ecotuned, to our collaborations with state agencies like the California Air Resources Board and the California Energy Commission, and the visionary school districts that have led the way—this success is the result of combined effort and shared commitment to a cleaner, greener future.”

“Congratulations to the entire A-Z Bus Sales team for marking its 1000th all-electric, zero emission Blue Bird school bus delivery in California – a truly remarkable milestone,” said Albert Burleigh, Vice President of North America Bus Sales at Blue Bird Corporation. “For nearly half a century, A-Z Bus Sales has been our trusted dealer partner in the Golden State. We are grateful to all our friends at A-Z Bus Sales for playing an outstanding role in Blue Bird’s EV success story. Together we’ve helped school districts across the state to reduce harmful emissions, put student and community health first, and significantly reduce operating expenses.”

Of the 1000 electric school buses delivered, A-Z has seen these vehicles excel in diverse environments, from cold, mountainous regions in Northern California to the desert regions of the Imperial Valley. EV buses have outperformed their diesel counterparts in both performance and reliability, and with advancements in technology, the range and uptime of these buses continue to improve. Children across the state are now riding to school in quiet, pollution-free buses.

About A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.
Founded in 1976, A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. is a leading dealer and distributor of passenger transportation solutions, serving the education, government, public sector, commercial, and private fleet markets. Employee-owned and specializing in green alternative fuel products, A-Z offers a wide range of services, including sales, service, parts, and financing for new and preowned buses.

The company has built a strong reputation for fostering long-term customer relationships, professionalism, and integrity. Headquartered in Colton, California, A-Z Bus Sales operates multiple sales and service locations across California, Arizona, Texas, and Hawaii.

For more information, visit www.a-zbus.com

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Party hats were compulsory headgear at VW’s Zwickau plant in eastern Germany this week. The factory produces six different EVs for various VW Group brands and just built its millionth electric car, an ID.3 GTX hot hatch. But Zwickau’s busy production lines are causing a headache for the bean counters at VW’s Wolfsburg HQ.

The problem is that EVs are expensive to build and deliver smaller margins than equivalent combustion-powered cars. And while electric sales doubling in Europe in the first quarter of 2025 is something to celebrate, some of those sales come at the expense of ICE sales.

Related: VW ID.2 Might Have A Shot In America, But ID.1 Is ‘Highly Unlikely’

As EVs take up a greater proportion of the sales mix – they accounted for one in five VW Group cars in Jan-March – they push profitability down, reducing the margin to 4 percent. And the withdrawal of EV subsidies in many European countries means VW can’t lean on government incentives to allow them to charge more.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel in the form of the VW ID.2 and its various spinoffs and related EVs. The €25k ($28k) ID.2, which will be built in Spain, goes on sale in 2026 and should be one of the first Western-built EVs to return margins close to an ICE car’s. The baby VW and its sister SUV, plus the Cupra Raval and Skoda Epiq use a new front-wheel drive version of the MEB platform that costs less to produce.

Earlier this month VW revealed that earnings before tax were down 40 percent to €3.1 billion ($3.5 bn) in Q1 even as deliveries increased by 1.4 percent. The company’s finance chief Arno Antlitz partly attributes this to EVs taking a bigger slice of the sales pie.

But President Trump’s tariffs threaten to throw an even bigger spanner in the VW Group’s plans. The constantly-changing US import tariff situation is making it harder for automaker to make financial forecasts for the rest of the year, but VW, which is badly exposed due to Audi and Porsche’s lack of US production sites, has already downgraded primed investors to expect a less successful year than previously anticipated.

Electric vehicles may grab most of the headlines, but for BYD, plug-in hybrids are quietly doing the heavy lifting. While the Chinese automaker is well-known as one of the world’s leading battery-electric vehicle manufacturers, it actually sells more plug-in hybrids than full EVs. That detail matters a lot as the company looks to expand its footprint across Europe, where not every new car buyer is quite ready to cut the gas cord completely.

Read: BYD Seal U DM-I Plug-In Hybrid SUV Brings China’s PHEV Tech To Europe

China is still BYD’s biggest market by far, but the company has made it clear that global presence is the next step. To position itself as a serious competitor to established brands in Europe, it needs more than flashy EVs. A stronger dealership network and, crucially, a broader lineup of plug-in hybrids are key pieces still missing from the puzzle.

More Hybrids on the Horizon

Right now, BYD’s European plug-in hybrid portfolio is thin. The only PHEV it currently offers in the region is the Seal DM-i sedan. But that’s about to change.

At a recent event in Stuttgart, Maria Grazia Davino, BYD’s regional chief overseeing several central European markets, confirmed plans to bring at least two more plug-in hybrids to Europe in 2025. Germany is one of the key target markets.

“Not everyone is ready for electric. We need something else to convince the customer,” Davino told Reuters. “Every month, we find the best balance between what the customer wants and what makes distribution successful. In the near future, we will have two pillars: one fully electric, and the other DM-i.”

BYD is currently subject to EU tariffs on imported vehicles from China, but it’s already taking steps to blunt the impact. New production facilities in Hungary and Turkey will handle a good portion of European-bound vehicles, helping the company avoid those extra costs.

While its local sales have not taken off as quickly as it would have liked, there are signs of improvement. During the first quarter of 2025, BYD sold over 37,000 vehicles across Europe, an increase of around 8,500 units from Q1 2024.

In addition to bringing more PHEVs to Europe, BYD recently launched its new premium Denza brand. Positioned as a rival to the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi, Denza will first start selling its Z9 GT, created as a competitor to the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo. It will start local sales of the D9 van at a later date.

It is no secret that car values have been riding a rollercoaster lately, but some models have taken a particularly rough plunge. In the past year alone, a surprising number of popular vehicles have shed thousands of dollars in value, offering a clear look at changing market dynamics.

Read: This Car Loses 73% Of Its Value After Just Five Years

Four Tesla models are among the top 20 used cars in the United States that depreciated the most over the past 12 months. However, Tesla is hardly alone in this honor, as several other mainstream and premium brands, including Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai, Lincoln, and Genesis, have also seen significant price drops.

The team from iSeeCars recently analyzed the prices of 1.4 million used vehicles over the past year to determine which ones have been hit the hardest. At the top of the list sits the Tesla Model S, which depreciated by an average of 17.2 percent year-over-year, representing a fall of $9,944. As of March 2025, the average listing price for a Model S was $47,931. This, perhaps, is not much of a shock considering the electric sedan has been around for 13 years and Tesla has faced its share of public relations headaches in the last few months, adding to its woes.

A Closer Look at the Biggest Losers

Trailing just behind the Model S is the Porsche Taycan, which dropped by an average of $13,422 over the past year, or about 15.1 percent. Meanwhile, the Ford Explorer Hybrid saw its average price fall by 14.1 percent to $31,228, and the BMW 5-Series Hybrid was not far behind, dropping 13.9 percent to $34,375.

The second Tesla to appear on the list is the Model Y. The study from iSeeCars shows that prices of it have fallen by an average of 13.1% to $30,611. This places it two positions ahead of the Model 3 in eighth, with prices dropping by 10.9% to $26,084. In 17th position was the Model X, with reported average price falls of 7.3% to $55,990.

Used Cars With The Largest Price Drops

Other notable entries on the list include the Maserati Levante, down 11.5 percent, the Jeep Gladiator (-10.7 percent), the Kia Niro EV (-9.6 percent), the Volvo S90 (-9.2 percent) and the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, whose price declined by 7.3 percent.

Worst Performing Brands

Tesla was named the brand with the steepest year-over-year declines in used car pricing. Across its lineup, its models lost an average of 10.1 percent in value over the past year, which translates to $3,541 on average. Chrysler followed closely behind, with an 8.9 percent drop, while Maserati, Genesis, Dodge, Buick, and Chevrolet also posted noticeable losses.

“In both the new and used car markets, Tesla prices have been dropping for over two years,” iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer said. “Price cuts on new Teslas immediately impacted used Teslas, driving their prices down at a rapid rate. The new car price cuts were driven by Tesla’s desire to maintain sales growth, but that strategy stopped working last year when the automaker saw its first decline in annual sales.”

Brands With The Largest Used Car Price Drops

LISLE, Ill. and MIAMI, Flo. – Mobico Group has announced that it has reached an agreement for the sale of its School Bus division, National Express School (NEXS) to I Squared Capital, a specialist global infrastructure investor. The acquisition, which is anticipated to close in the third quarter of this year, will involve all brands associated with NEXS, including Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, and Stock Transportation.

As one of the largest student transportation companies in North America, NEXS is a transportation leader with over 100+ years of experience in the industry with a renowned history of safe and reliable transportation service. With its high-visibility contracting model and sticky revenue streams, NEXS looks forward to embarking on a new chapter of growth in partnership with I Squared while retaining our market-leading safety record and brand heritage.

Tim Wertner, CEO of National Express School, said, “This transfer of ownership will allow us to stand on a much stronger financial foundation for a wider spectrum of new opportunities and growth to benefit our stakeholders, valued partners, and prospects, as well as reinforce our position as a transportation leader and flourish to even greater heights. With I Squared Capital’s strong reputation and support of our Company, we firmly believe they will be an outstanding steward for us, and we look forward to furthering our footprint in the student transportation industry together.”

Gautam Bhandari, Global Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at I Squared, said: “School transportation is more than just a daily commute. It’s a vital link to education, which underpins a functioning society regardless of the economic cycle. As infrastructure specialists, I Squared has specific expertise in providing vital public services, including public transport. Our investment will provide the capital needed to upgrade equipment and maintain safe, efficient transportation for children using this essential service so parents can rest assured each time their family member travels. We are proud to add this critical business to our portfolio and look forward to continuing to support its growth in North America.”

About National Express School

National Express School (NEXS) is the North American subsidiary of Mobico Group, one of the premier global mobility firms. We operate across 34 states and two provinces. Our organizations share a strong commitment to provide the highest level of safety, quality, outstanding customer service and positive employee relations. National Express School serves more than 400 school districts and contracts in 30 states and two provinces, and transports more than 1.2 million students on a daily basis.

About I Squared Capital

I Squared Capital is a leading global infrastructure investor managing over $40 billion in assets. We build and scale essential infrastructure businesses that deliver critical services to millions of people worldwide. Our portfolio includes over 90 companies operating in more than 70 countries and spanning sectors such as energy, utilities, digital infrastructure, transport, environmental and social infrastructure. Headquartered in Miami, our team of over 300 professionals is based across offices in Abu Dhabi, London, Munich, New Delhi, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Taipei. Learn more at www.isquaredcapital.com.

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After a lackluster first quarter, where Tesla’s global sales took a nosedive, the EV giant has now reported its earnings for the same period. And, unsurprisingly, the results aren’t impressive. Revenue fell short of where it was expected to be by analysts, not just because of sluggish sales, but also due to uncertainty across industries and challenges in global supply chains.

But not everything is doom and gloom for Tesla, there’s some good news tucked in there, too. The company insists it’s on the cusp of launching more affordable models.

More: VW Finally Beats Tesla In EV Sales Across Europe

Let’s start with the figures. In Q1, Tesla’s total revenue fell to $19.3 billion, a 9.4% decline from $21.3 billion in Q1 2024. When compared to Q2, Q3, and Q4 of last year, the drop is even more significant, with revenue sitting at $25.5 billion, $25.1 billion, and $25.7 billion, respectively. Even worse was Tesla’s automotive revenue, which dropped from $17.3 billion in Q1 2024 to $13.9 billion this quarter, a 19.6% decline, and peaked at $20 billion in Q3 2024, a 30.5% decrease from that high.

Declining revenue isn’t the only thing that could concern shareholders of the EV brand.T otal income plummeted by 71%, dropping to $409 million, down from $1.39 billion in Q1 2024 and $2.1 billion in Q4 2024.

Why Did This Happen?

Tesla has blamed its decline in revenue on the obvious drop-off in deliveries during the first quarter. As we reported earlier this month, Tesla delivered 336,681 vehicles, down 13 percent from the year prior. It says deliveries fell in part because it was updating its four factories to start building the new Model Y. Tesla also says average vehicle selling prices dropped last quarter.

“Uncertainty in the automotive and energy markets continues to increase as rapidly evolving trade policy adversely impacts the global supply chain and cost structure of Tesla and our peers,” Tesla said. “This dynamic, along with changing political sentiment, could have a meaningful impact on demand for our products in the near-term. We remain committed to expanding our business model to include delivering autonomous robots across multiple form factors and use cases – powered by our real-world AI expertise – to our customers and for use in our factories, as we navigate these headwinds.”

New, More Affordable Models Are Coming

Falling revenue and deliveries don’t make for pretty reading, but Tesla does have some interesting things around the corner. New production vehicles, including more affordable models, will start in the first half of 2025, echoing a statement Tesla made in January and contrary to recent reports of these new models being delayed.

Read: Tesla Reportedly Delays Cheaper Smaller Model Y, Plans Stripped-Down Model 3

Details about these affordable versions are limited, with some suggesting they’ll be stripped down versions of the Model 3 and Model Y. Tesla says they will “utilize aspects of the next generation platform as well as aspects of our current platforms and will be produced on the same manufacturing lines as our current vehicle lineup.”

Elsewhere, Tesla announced that production of the Cybercab is scheduled to begin in 2026. The company also shared that the next-generation Roadster has moved from the “development” phase to “design development,” though it has yet to provide any details on when it will actually launch. Just a reminder: it’s been 7.5 years since the Roadster was first revealed.

Musk Winding Down DOGE Work

Finally, in news that may actually make some shareholders breathe a sigh of relief, Elon Musk will start scaling back his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Starting next month, Musk will devote more of his attention to Tesla, where he’s needed most. Perhaps this will bring more stability, though, knowing Musk, expect a few distractions along the way.

The EV market in Europe is on a strong upward trajectory, with March 2025 marking the second-best month on record for registrations, contributing to the strongest quarter ever for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Despite this impressive growth, however, Tesla’s updated Model Y “Juniper” couldn’t quite reverse the brand’s ongoing sales decline.

In March, BEV sales across Europe reached 240,891 units, marking a 23% year-over-year increase and capturing an impressive 17% market share, roughly one in five new vehicles sold. While this figure just misses the all-time high of 275,108 units set in December 2022, it still played a key role in making Q1 2025 the strongest quarter for BEV sales in European history.

More: Tesla Delays Cheaper Smaller Model Y, Plans Stripped-Down Model 3

According to data from JATO Dynamics, which includes 28 European markets, Tesla was the top-selling BEV brand in March 2025, despite experiencing a 30% drop compared to March 2024. However, this was an improvement compared to the sharper declines seen in January (-47%) and February (-44%), which, for Tesla, is at least a small win.

VW Finally Beats Tesla

This downward trend left Tesla in second place for BEV sales in Q1 2025, with 53,237 registrations (-38%), trailing behind VW, which saw a remarkable 157% increase with 65,679 units sold. Even BMW is now closing in on Tesla, recording a 21% increase over the same quarter last year with 46,557 sales in Q1 2025. The top 5 spots are rounded out by Audi, with 34,739 units sold (an impressive 51% growth), and Renault, which posted 31,880 deliveries, an even more impressive 89% increase.

When it comes to individual electric models, Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 dominated the top spots in Europe for Q1 2025, with 29,770 (-49%) and 23,044 (-14%) registrations, respectively. Interestingly, the much-hyped launch of the heavily updated Model Y Juniper didn’t quite deliver the expected sales spike. In its first full month of sales in March 2025, it recorded 15,164 registrations, a 43% drop compared to the previous year.

More: Tesla’s 15% Sales Crash In California Could Signal A Bigger EV Crisis

VW made a strong showing, with three of its models in the BEV top 10 chart for Q1 2025: the ID.4 (3rd), ID.7 (4th), and ID.3 (6th). Other noteworthy entries included the Kia EV3 (5th), the Renault 5 E-Tech (8th), and the Citroen e-C3 (10th), all of which are new additions to the list.

In the U.S. market, EV sales reached 296,227 units (+11.4%) in Q1 2025, with Tesla commanding a significant 43.5% share (128,100 units), despite a slight -8.6% dip in sales compared to the same period last year.

Overall Sales Show Modest Growth in Europe

Back in Europe, regardless of powertrain type, a total of 1,423,340 vehicles were registered in March 2025, marking a 3.2% increase. This brought the Q1 total to 3,383,986 units, a nearly flat -0.02% change. The Peugeot 208 topped the sales charts in March, while the Dacia Sandero held onto its lead in the Q1 rankings.

In terms of sales declines, Tesla (-38%) wasn’t the only brand facing challenges. Other notable drops in Q1 included Maserati (-39%), Mitsubishi (-43%), Smart (-65%), Lancia (-73%), Abarth (-75%), and Jaguar (-82%).