Remember the outcry from enthusiasts when Ford unveiled the Mach-E in November 2019? They were worried Ford wanted to replace the iconic pony car with an EV but the automaker assured them that wasn’t going to happen. Five and half years later, however, fresh data from Ford shows it’s now the Mach-E that’s the sales winner and the gas-powered car that’s the niche proposition. Are we looking at the end of the road for the ‘real’ Mustang?

Ford’s registration figures reveal Mach-E sales grew 21 percent in Q1 2025 versus Q1 2024, the total number of deliveries jumping from 9,589 to 11,607, no doubt helped by incentives and the threat of federal tax credits going away. Still, that’s a healthy gain. While that was happening sales of the classic Mustang slid by 31.6 percent, dropping from 13,707 to 9,377. That means the Mustang EV is now more popular than the gas car, and by a wide margin.

Related: Ford Mach-E Sales 62% Up This Year, Mustang Keeps Losing To Itself

So modern electric vehicles good, retro-style gas cars bad, right? It’s not quite that simple, because sales of Ford’s F-150 Lightning EV dropped 7.2 percent in Q1 to 7,187 units, and Bronco registrations blew up by 35.4 percent to 32,595 units. The Bronco is now almost as popular as the more affordable Bronco Sport (33,363; up 5.7 percent) and Escape (37,357; up 2.1 percent).

Ford’s (combustion) F-series trucks also increased their sales by a whopping 24.5 percent to 190,389, helping Ford truck deliveries boom by 15 percent. But that wasn’t enough to prevent total sales of Ford-branded vehicles dropping 1.2 percent to 477,560 in the first quarter. Lincoln sales, by the way, dropped 4.7 percent to 23,731.

It’s said that the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and again and hoping for a different result. And it’s looking like Ford’s new-for-’24 Mustang didn’t really offer anything meaningfully new to help keep interest high. Sure, the $325k GTD is entering new territory, but the regular models didn’t.

Which isn’t to say they’re bad cars. We just drove a Mustang GT and found it great fun. But the sales figures prove buyers are looking elsewhere for their kicks at a time when the Mustang has almost no direct opposition, its Dodge (ICE) and Chevy rivals having both been axed.

What do you think is the answer to Ford’s Mustang sales crisis? Is it more power for the base cars, more frugal engines, a four-door coupe or maybe a lifted crossover body? Or should Ford have retired the Mustang at its 50th birthday and focused exclusively on improving the Mach-E and extending its family?

Ford sales Q1 2024 vs Q1 2025

New Poll: American Voters Support Federal Investments in Electric Vehicles Broad, Bipartisan Support for EV Investments and Incentives that Lower Costs, Expand Access, and Help the U.S. Beat China in the Race for Auto Manufacturing WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new bipartisan national poll conducted by Meeting Street Insights and Hart Research finds broad public support …

The post Support for Electric Vehicles appeared first on Alternative Energy HQ.

Some Tesla owners disgusted at CEO Elon Musk’s DOGE work for the US government, are selling their EVs, and some non-Tesla drivers are vandalizing the automaker’s EVs and property to show their displeasure. Now New York lawmakers are planning their own attack on Musk by attempting to remove Tesla’s right to sell directly to customers in the state.

Democrat senators are pushing to rescind permits granted in 2014 that allow Tesla to sell directly to consumers. Like several other US states, New York normally forbids direct sales, requiring automakers to sell through dealers. Even other EV makers such as Lucid and Rivian, which sell directly in other states, are not allowed to in New York.

Related: Trump Supporter Pulls Taser At Tesla Protesters, But Grandma Isn’t Having It

State Sen. Pat Fahy is leading the charge to rip up Tesla’s right to operate at five locations, but the five permits wouldn’t disappear altogether. Instead, they could be offered to rival brands, though some lawmakers and dealer groups believe the permits should be axed because they give too much power to a small number of people.

A similar bill designed to end Tesla’s direct-sales freedoms has been introduced in Washington state, and a bill proposing sales limits be raised for direct-to-consumer outlets has stalled, Politico reports. And none of this is rooted in hatred for Tesla itself, but for the man at the head of the company.

Since President Trump moved back into the White House, Musk has focused his energy on the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), whose federal cost-cutting drive has left thousands of people unemployed. He has also caused outrage by attempting to win DOGE employees access to sensitive tax information of millions of Americans.

And restricting Tesla’s sales isn’t the only way lawmakers could hit Musk in the pocket. Fahy – an EV advocate – and other senators have written to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, asking him to sell off Tesla shares owned by the New York State pension fund.

With the Rivian R1S starting at $75,900 in the United States, it’s safe to say no one expected it to rival the volume of more affordable, everyday EVs. But in January, the R1S managed to secure a surprisingly impressive spot as the fifth-best-selling new EV in the country, placing it alongside some pretty elite company.

Rivian itself does not release monthly sales figures, but according to data from Cox Automotive, the only EVs to outsell the R1S were the Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Honda Prologue. While exact sales figures for these models weren’t revealed, the data shows that Rivian moved more than 4,000 vehicles in February.

Review: The 2025 Rivian R1S Is An Imperfect But Promising Look At The Future

It comes as no shock that Tesla continues to dominate the EV market, but its grip is loosening ever so slightly. In February, overall Tesla sales fell by 10%, largely due to a steep 32.5% drop in Cybertruck deliveries and 17.5% fewer Model 3s sold. Even the best-selling Model Y saw a modest dip of 3.1%. It’s clear that the company’s previous growth spurt may be slowing down, but they’re still in the driver’s seat.

Looking at the US market more broadly, new EV sales declined slightly in February with 95,692 total sales. This was a 5.9% fall from January 2025 but up 10.5% from February last year. Similarly, used EV sales dropped 4.7% from January, but soared 34.2% from February 2024 to 24,875 units, representing 1.7% of all used cars sold. The market share of new EVs sold fell slightly to 7.7%.

When it comes to the used EV market, Tesla continues to reign supreme, accounting for a dominant 39.9% of all used EV sales last month, although its sales dipped by 9.2% compared to January.

On average, new and used EVs continue to sell for more than their internal combustion engine counterparts. However, this is mainly due to the wider price range of ICE vehicles, which pulls their average transaction price down. EVs, by contrast, tend to be more expensive from the start, leading to a higher average.

More: These Are The Cars With The Highest And Lowest Depreciation After 5 Years

In February, the average transaction price (ATP) for a new EV was $55,273, reflecting a 3.7% increase from the previous year and notably higher than the ATP of a new ICE vehicle, which sat at $47,555. Used EVs aren’t much of a bargain either, with the average ATP for a used EV at $38,057, significantly more than the $33,134 ATP for a used ICE vehicle.

Time is running out for anyone still holding out for the outgoing version of the Model Y—whether it’s for its looks or the eye-popping discounts that stretch to nearly $9,000. Tesla still has a few left, but as of now, there are fewer than 50 available across the US, signaling that the normal Model Y Juniper is likely just around the corner. Of course, that number’s been fluctuating since the weekend, bouncing between 40 and 190, so don’t get too comfortable yet.

Early adopters have already had a taste of the Model Y Juniper, but it’s been limited to the Launch Edition trim so far. And as you’d expect from something called “Launch Edition,” it’s not cheap. The base price of this version is $59,990. You’re paying a premium for all the extras—think special paint colors and the $7,500 Full Self-Driving option, which is bundled in at no extra charge. But hey, at least you get all the bells and whistles.

More: You Can Buy A New 470 HP Family Car That Out-Runs Most Sports Cars For $32K

Elsewhere in the world, the “normal” versions of the updated Model Y are already on sale. In the US, though, Model Y buyers have just two options: they can pay more for the fully-loaded Juniper Launch Edition, or snap up one of the old versions still lingering in Tesla’s inventory, since orders for the pre-facelift model are no longer being accepted.

According to Tesla-Info, there are just 43 pre-facelift cars left in the country and, logically, Tesla should be getting ready to launch the “normal” Model Y Juniper. No doubt, interested buyers will be happy about the news.

The updated Model Y is significantly nipped and tucked compared to the outgoing one. The footprint is nearly identical, but the exterior styling is dramatically different. The new car takes on much the same lighting design as the Cybertruck and the curves are a touch sleeker. The cabin has also been updated with higher-quality materials, more screens, LEDs, new ventilated front seats and more.

Read: 8 Years Later, Tesla’s Still Taking $50K Roadster Reservations Musk Promised For 2020

That said, if you’re still holding out for a deal on the older version, time is running short. As of now, there are no Standard Range versions left, but there are still 10 Long Range AWD models and 33 Performance variants scattered across the country, with discounts ranging from $1,610 to $8,750.

As we’ve pointed out before, the old 470 hp Model Y Performance is incredibly fast and very practical. And, for as little as $32K—if you qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit, plus any additional state-level EV incentives—it’s essentially a steal for what you’re getting. So, if you’re on the fence, now might be the time to snag one before they’re gone, unless you absolutely have your heart set on the Juniper.

Tesla has been dominating headlines lately, largely due to its plummeting sales in Europe and other global markets. But here’s the thing: it’s not just Elon Musk’s electric empire in trouble. Lancia is facing its own crisis, with sales in Europe dropping by a staggering 73% so far in 2025. This steep decline makes it clear that the so-called “rebirth” of the Italian brand is going to be anything but smooth.

According to official sales data for the EU, EFTA, and UK regions provided by the ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association), Lancia sold just 2,208 units in January and February 2025, a steep drop from 8,098 units during the same period last year. This decline is particularly striking considering the launch of a new generation of the Lancia Ypsilon supermini and the brand’s expansion outside Italy for the first time in years.

More: Tesla’s European Sales Have Collapsed, Down 45% As EV Market Surges 31%

For a bit of perspective, the old Lancia Ypsilon—discontinued after 13 years—sold nearly four times more units in the first two months of last year than the all-new, shiny model did. To make matters worse, the former was only available in Italy, while the new Ypsilon has already expanded to markets like France, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. A drop of that magnitude certainly raises some serious questions.

Lancia’s Price Tag Problem

So, why this massive dip in sales? Well, one of the biggest factors is likely the higher pricing on the new Ypsilon’s mild-hybrid and electric variants compared to the non-electrified predecessor – something we’ve also seen with Stellantis brands in North America as well.

For a brand that’s been absent from many European markets for so long, it’s not surprising that buyers might be reluctant to shell out more cash for a car that feels a bit… neglected. Competing with well-established supermini brands doesn’t exactly help Lancia’s case, either.

Lancia is looking to rebound by opening 70 new showrooms across Europe by the end of 2025. Whether that’ll generate any real traction for the brand remains to be seen. The Ypsilon will eventually be joined by the Gamma flagship crossover in 2026, followed by a new version of the Delta hatchback in 2028.

Other Winners And Losers

Lancia isn’t the only one with a rough start to 2025. Alongside the 72.7% drop in Lancia’s sales, Tesla is also seeing a significant slump, with a 42.6% drop. Other brands experiencing notable sales declines include Smart (-55.4%), Jaguar (-53.4%), and Mitsubishi (-35.4%). Meanwhile, Stellantis brands like DS (-30.3%), Opel/Vauxhall (-27.2%), and Fiat (-26.9%) are all struggling. Porsche isn’t immune either, down 23.2% this year.

On the flip side, some brands are clearly having a moment. Alpine, for example, has seen a massive 137.8% sales increase, largely thanks to the launch of the A290 GT hot hatch. Cupra is also having a great year, up 42.3%, with 40,869 units sold, just shy of Seat’s 42,212 sales for the same period.

For Stellantis, Alfa Romeo is a bright spot with a 29.6% boost in sales, mostly thanks to the Junior subcompact SUV, which contributed 9,788 sales in just two months. Other companies enjoying positive results include Lexus (+32.2%), SAIC (+21.2%), and Renault (+18.5%). Volkswagen also saw a healthy 12% increase in sales, reaching 216,565 units. VW is currently the only brand with a double-digit market share in the EU, EFTA, and UK regions, holding steady at 11.1%.

Overall, the VW Group leads in Europe, having sold 525,346 units, up 4.3%. Stellantis follows with 310,091 sales, down 16.1%, while Renault Group (205,005 sales / +8.2%), Hyundai Group (156,526 sales / -5.5%), and Toyota Group (151,589 sales / -4.9%) round out the top five.

Europeans Love Hybrids And BEVs

On the powertrain front, Europeans are clearly embracing electrification. In the first two months of 2025, hybrid vehicles saw a significant jump, with 687,709 units sold, a 17.6% increase. EVs also continued their upward trajectory, with 330,584 units sold, marking a 31.4% increase.

Meanwhile, more traditional gasoline-powered cars saw a sharp decline, with sales dropping by 21.9% to 562,513 units. Diesel vehicles didn’t fare much better, falling by 27.5% to just 172,758 units.

EUROPEAN CAR SALES JAN-FEB 2025

What a difference a year makes. Rewind the clock to early 2024 and Tesla’s European arm was basking in the glory of becoming the best-selling electric brand in the region for the whole of 2023, and the first company to put an EV – the Model Y – on top of the the overall sales chart.

Now, fresh sales data from 28 key markets, including the EU, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland, shows that not only are Tesla’s sales down, but the American EV brand is also being collectively outperformed by Chinese-owned automakers.

Related: Tesla’s European Sales Have Collapsed, Down 45% As EV Market Surges 31%

Figures from Jato Dynamics reveal Tesla sold 15,700 cars in February 2025, down from 28,100 a year earlier, a drop of 44 percent against an EV market that was up by 26 percent to 164,100 units. Chinese-owned brands clocked up 19,800 sales this February, throwing serious shade in Tesla’s direction and leaving us in no doubt that China is making serious inroads into the European car market. And it’s only just started.

Tesla’s Market Share Takes a Hit

Tesla’s poor performance cut its market share to 9.6 percent, its worst February showing for five years, and the automaker’s year-to-date market share is down from 18.4 percent to 7.7 percent compared with 2024’s numbers. One partial explanation for that is the arrival of the facelifted Model Y ‘Juniper,’ which was revealed in January of this year, but wasn’t immediately available in Europe. It’s only natural that buyers would want to wait for the new-look SUV.

Model Y sales fell 56 percent to 8,800 units, while Model 3 sales fell by a less extreme (but still worrying) 14 percent to 6,800 units, which Jato says indicates Tesla’s overall slide is less to do with anti-Elon Musk sentiment than the imminent arrival of the the new Y.

EV Sales by Brand, Feb 25

VW, Chinese Brands, and the New Wave

Whether the new model can fully reverse the slide remains to be seen, but we doubt it. The Juniper changes aren’t that comprehensive and Chinese brands (and legacy Western ones) are only increasing their attack on Tesla. BYD’s sales grew 94 percent to 4,436, Polestar was up 84 percent to 2,405, and newcomer XPeng logged 1,034 sales, representing an increase of 259 percent from February 2024.

The best-performing brand in terms of EV sales, however, was VW, whose registrations boomed 180 percent to 19,600. The German brand’s ID.4 was the third-best-selling EV behind the Model 3 and Model Y, and VW,’s ID.7 and ID.3 were in fifth and sixth spot, separated from the ID.4 by Renault’s Car of the Year-winning 5.

EV Sales by Model, Feb 25

While you’ve been trying to keep your finances from going off the rails, luxury vehicles are having their moment again. Cox Automotive’s latest Kelley Blue Book report a rather surprising uptick in the number of people splurging on vehicles that cost six-figures.

If you’ve ever wondered just how deep some pockets are these days, prepare for a shock: luxury cars are flying off dealer lots, and you might feel a little behind if you don’t have at least $100K to throw down on a new ride.

More: Don’t Have $100K? Here Are 10 Cars That Will Make You Look Like A Million Bucks For Toyota Camry Money

In the first two months of 2025 alone, over 52,000 new vehicles priced above $100,000 were delivered in the USA. That’s an impressive 13% increase from the 46,000 sold last year, and a mind-boggling 333% spike compared to just five years ago, when only 12,000 six-figure cars were sold. So, it’s safe to say that many people aren’t just fantasizing about luxury anymore- they’re actually buying it.

Range Rover Leads the Pack

So, who’s winning the battle for six-figure supremacy? Somewhat surprisingly, the undisputed champion for 2025 is the Range Rover, which saw over 3,800 monthly sales in February alone. It seems that the British brand has secured its spot as the crown jewel of the six-figure crowd.

Erin Keating, an Executive Analyst at Cox Automotive, offered some perspective on the trend: “While affordability is a challenge for many households, six-figure vehicles continue to sell well and have experienced a four-fold increase in sales volume since early 2020.”

Keating also noted that the widening income gap is significantly influencing new vehicle sales trends, with high-income households and individuals with “prime” or “super prime” credit scores fueling much of the demand.

NEW-VEHICLE AVERAGE TRANSACTION PRICE

A Look at Average Transaction Prices

Now, let’s talk numbers, and specifically, the Average Transaction Price (ATP) for new vehicles. In February 2025, the Average Transaction Price (ATP) for a new vehicle was $48,039. That’s a 1.3% dip from January but still a 1% increase compared to the same time last year.

If you’re wondering which segments are pushing those ATPs above the $100K mark, look no further than the usual suspects: luxury full-size SUVs ($106,332), high-end luxury cars ($121,129), and high-performance vehicles ($121,322), all showing year-over-year growth. No surprises there, right?

Car Brands: Who’s Winning?

On the luxury brand front, Porsche takes the top spot with an ATP of $116,111 in February, which is 12% higher than last year. At the other end of the spectrum, Mitsubishi took the prize for the lowest ATP at $30,410, with Nissan not far behind at $32,262. So if you’ve been eyeing a luxury SUV or sports car, you now know who’s at the top of the price ladder.

More: Porsche May Add Another Gas-Powered SUV Next To Macan EV, Cayenne

For those who prefer a quieter ride with zero tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles are also in the mix. The average ATP for EVs in February stood at $55,273, down 1.2% from January but still up 3.7% from last year. EV incentives also saw a substantial rise, reaching an average of $8,162, the highest it’s been in over five years.

Keating also reflected on how much the overall automotive landscape has changed, noting, “February marks the five-year anniversary of the last ‘clean month’ of data prior to the global COVID pandemic that shifted the automotive landscape. Compared to February 2020, ATP is up 25% while incentives are down 13% and monthly sales are down 9%. Auto loan rates are higher now as well, making new-vehicle affordability a real challenge for most households.”

Average Transaction Prices Feb 2025 vs 2024

ATP VS INDUSTRY AVERAGE INCENTIVE SPEND AS % OF ATP

Lead image Urban Automotive

Not long ago, premium German cars were seen as the epitome of luxury in China. For brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, China was consistently their largest market, with sales surpassing those in any other country. However, as new homegrown brands have emerged, local preferences are beginning to shift toward Chinese companies and their offerings. Xiaomi is a perfect example of this shift.

Xiaomi, primarily known for being one China’s largest makers of electronics and consumer goods, producing everything from vacuum cleaners to computer monitors, fridges, suitcases, and smartphones. Then, the brand’s boss decided he wanted to build an electric vehicle. Unlike the billionaire founder of Dyson, who famously failed to launch an EV, Xiaomi has succeeded where others couldn’t, with its first electric vehicle, the SU7.

Read: Why Xiaomi Succeeded In Becoming An Automaker While Apple Failed

Customer deliveries of the SU7 started less than a year ago, and the company already has its sights set on the German establishment. The company aims to sell 350,000 EVs in China this year, thanks to the SU7 and the upcoming release of its Tesla Model Y competitor, the YU7. If Xiaomi can hit this target, it would surpass the combined EV sales of Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche in China from last year, Handelsblatt reports.

Expanding Beyond China

It’s not just at home in China, where Xiaomi wants to grow its EV business. Earlier this month, the company’s president William Lu, revealed plans to expand into more markets. While he didn’t specify exact dates, he assured that Xiaomi would enter new regions “within the next few years.”

The arrival of the YU7 will mark a pivotal moment for the company. SUVs continue to dominate global sales, and there’s a strong chance the YU7 will outperform the SU7. Deliveries are set to begin in June or July, and the industry will be watching closely to see if Xiaomi can continue its rise.

The electrified vehicle market is clearly on an upward trajectory, with sales reaching new heights in the first two months of 2025. While EVs and PHEVs still account for a smaller portion of total car sales in key global markets, the growth is undeniable.

According to data from RhoMotion, the first two months of 2025 saw a combined total of 2.4 million EVs and PHEVs sold worldwide, marking a 30% increase from the same period last year. Not surprisingly, China is leading this charge, with electrified vehicle sales there climbing by an impressive 35%, reaching 1.4 million units.

Read: Tesla Sales Crumble 45% In Europe, While EV Market Explodes 37%

Sticking with China, the data shows that sales jumped 76% in February compared to the same month last year. However, comparing February 2025 to February 2024 isn’t ideal, as Chinese New Year fell in the middle of February last year, but was at the start of the month this year. Nonetheless, sales from January and February show BEV sales have climbed 46% while PHEV sales have risen 22%.

Significant growth has also been reported across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Sales here are up 20% year-to-date. In Mexico, sales have more than doubled thanks to the arrival of new Chinese EVs, while in the US, EV and PHEV sales are up 28%. One possible explanation for the US is that shoppers are rushing to buy an EV before the $7,500 federal EV tax credit potentially gets scrapped.

European Growth

Europe, too, is seeing solid numbers, with EV sales up by 29% compared to last year. However, PHEV growth in the region has been more modest, rising just 2%. Notably, PHEV sales in France took a sharp dive (down 48%) after the government introduced a weight tax on plug-in hybrids.

“It’s been a solid start to the year for EV sales globally with a 50% bump in February compared to the previous year,” RhoMotion data manager Charles Lester said. “Much of the growth continues to come from China which are seeing a pure electric renaissance this year compared to the hybrid love affair of 2024. Despite high tariffs, their domestic brand, BYD, shows no signs of slowing down their home and international expansion.”

In the weeks following Donald Trump’s election win, Tesla’s stock price went on a rocket ride, hitting a record $479 per share, and taking Elon Musk’s net worth to stratospheric heights—boosting it by more than $150 billion. But fast forward to today, and the scene has changed dramatically. Since Trump’s inauguration, Tesla shares have been on a downward spiral, dropping more than 15% on Monday alone to $222, a level not seen since last October.

This latest tumble marks Tesla’s worst single-day loss since September 2020, and it’s down more than 53% from that glorious peak of $479 back in mid-December. At the time of writing, the stock had dropped another 2.7% in after-hours trading to $216.10, though it has since jumped back up to around $222.

Last Friday, Tesla recorded its seventh consecutive week of losses, marking the longest losing streak the company has seen since going public in 2010. Its market cap has taken a significant hit, now down nearly $800 billion from its December peak.

Read: Tesla Sales Crash Up To 63% In European Markets, Is Musk Or New Model Y To Blame?

It’s clear that investors aren’t exactly thrilled with Elon Musk’s deep involvement in the Trump administration, particularly in leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Earlier this week, Musk told Fox Business that he plans to stay in the Trump administration for another year. When asked how he manages to run his other businesses, Musk replied, ‘With great difficulty.'”

To make matters worse for Musk, X (formerly Twitter) was hit with a massive cyberattack on Monday, causing major outages. Not exactly the kind of stability investors are hoping for.

Falling Sales: The Inevitable Decline?

Of course, it’s not just Musk’s political involvement that’s to blame for Tesla’s plummeting share price. Data from several key markets around the world show that sales are declining and demand for the brand’s EVs is starting to slow.

In a note issued to clients on Monday, UBS analysts said they expect Tesla to sell 367,000 vehicles in the first quarter of this year, according to a report from Yahoo Finance. That would be a 6% decrease from the 386,810 vehicles delivered in Q1 2024, which itself marked a significant 9% drop from the 422,875 delivered in Q1 2023.

It will be fine long-term https://t.co/E8T4WYOj95

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2025

However, despite the recent tanking of Tesla shares, it remains by far the world’s most valuable carmaker by market cap. As of Monday, it was valued at $696 billion—still well ahead of legacy automakers like Ford ($39 billion), General Motors ($47 billion), and VW ($64 billion). This is partly because many investors don’t view Tesla as just a car manufacturer, but as a technology company pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence with its autonomous driving systems and humanoid robots.

So, is this drop in stock price just a temporary blip, or have Tesla’s days as a market cap juggernaut come to an end? Only time will tell, but for now, it looks like the ride is a little bumpier than before.

It seems that electric vehicle owners are increasingly stepping away from Tesla, with less support for Elon Musk than ever before. This might seem surprising, given Musk’s status as the face of Tesla and the electric vehicle movement itself. A recent study pointed out that not only do more people on the political right align with Musk these days, but his connection with EV owners is also growing colder.

Read: Four New Cybertrucks Burned At Tesla Storage Lot Fire

This shift in sentiment wouldn’t typically be a major deal, but Musk is no ordinary businessman—he’s the public face of Tesla, and his actions, both in business and politics, are sparking some serious unrest. Instead of staying in the safe zone of corporate leadership, Musk seems to have traded in his role as a CEO for that of a political lightning rod.

Protesters Are Taking Things Up a Notch

In the past few weeks, we’ve reported on several individual instances of protests against Musk. The assumed leader of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) has sparked widespread animosity due to his involvement in government work and his political leanings (both provable and theorized).

Individual Tesla owners have faced eggings, vandalism with stickers, further vandalism with spray paint, and countless threats to those unwilling to sell their car. Protesters have gone well beyond just targeting individual owners as well.

“ vandals ” removed wheels from Teslas and offered a superb metaphor for the directionless company whose CEO Elon Musk spends every waking hour on toxic identity politics to soothe his overinflated ego while the overinflated $TSLA stock nosedives
pic.twitter.com/2WqL8iaT3O

— Supercharge USA (@SuperchargeUSA) March 10, 2025

In some locations, they’ve put up projections that make Tesla’s own buildings into a protest sign. In other areas, they’ve shelled out cash to advertise against Tesla and Musk. Some individual dealerships and Tesla’s own Superchargers have dealt with worse though.

Charging Stations and Dealerships Under Fire

Charging stations across multiple states have become prime targets for vandals. Some have filled the ports with foam, completely severed the cords, tagged them with Nazi-centric graffiti, and even gone as far as setting them on fire. This arsonist behavior isn’t limited to charging stations, either.

It’s also happening at dealerships in both the USA and abroad. In one instance, a person fired several bullets into a dealership, damaging both Tesla’s stock and customers’ vehicles. What’s wild about all this is that the vast majority of these actions are carried out by individuals, not large groups. You’d think a few isolated incidents would die down quickly, but that’s clearly not the case. It seems to be fueling larger protests everywhere.

Group Protests

At the Tesla protest in San Francisco and the honking is deafening! pic.twitter.com/hFh0g0L2l8

— marymcnamara (@marymcnamara) March 8, 2025

In New York City, protesters recently took over Tesla’s dealership in Manhattan. Police arrested six people in connection with the act, but supporters referred to it as “how we beat fascism.” In Chicago, a protest group marched supporters through the streets in an event called Take Down Tesla, Trump, and Tyranny. Several police officers lined up in front of the local Tesla dealership to protect it.

In doing so, they somewhat proved the protesters’ point. “Wonder if they’d protect my small business with that level of force? Oligarchy doing its thing,” one Reddit user commented, highlighting the power and influence Musk wields. In some rare instances, police have even gone so far as to protect individual vehicles.

At a Tesla protest the NYPD had 9 cops out to protect a cyber truck lmao pic.twitter.com/HykHZcha6F

— Read Starting Somewhere (@JPHilllllll) March 9, 2025

Other protests have seen citizens in various cities standing on dealership corners holding signs. Calls from different groups are pushing for the spread and intensification of the protests, while Musk, it seems, is doing nothing.

Musk’s Thoughts

An investigation has found 5 ActBlue-funded groups responsible for Tesla “protests”: Troublemakers, Disruption Project, Rise & Resist, Indivisible Project and Democratic Socialists of America.

ActBlue funders include George Soros, Reid Hoffman, Herbert Sandler, Patricia Bauman,…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 8, 2025

In Musk’s view, a larger force is driving these protests. Specifically, he claims that five ActBlue-funded groups are behind them. ActBlue, a left-leaning political organization, is funded by figures like “George Soros, Reid Hoffman, Herbert Sandler, Patricia Bauman, and Leah Hunt-Hendrix,” according to Musk.

To some extent, Musk predicted resistance to his work at DOGE long before Trump won the presidency. In a podcast, he mentioned that such a move would provoke a sharp reaction. “The antibody reaction would be very strong. You’re attacking the Matrix at that point. The Matrix will fight back.” Whether it’s the Matrix—or just genuinely angry people—is still up for debate.

It’s worth noting that while conspiracies do exist, there’s no evidence at this point linking ActBlue, or any other major political entity, to these protests. It’s tempting to blame inconvenient events on shadowy conspiracies, but it’s often harder to accept the reality of the situation. High-profile political figures like Bernie Sanders—who have no direct connection to ActBlue other than shared political leanings—have also publicly and directly called Musk out.

More: Tesla Accused Of Gaming Canada’s EV Rebate Program After 4 Stores Sold 2 Cars Per Minute Wiping Out $43M In Grants

At this stage, it’s unclear whether what we’re witnessing is a purely grassroots movement against Musk, a sordid conspiracy, or a mix of both. What’s certain, however, is that people are angry at Musk and they’re taking it out on Tesla dealers and owners, most of whom have absolutely nothing to do with Musk, his actions, or his political leanings. They’re simply being hurt by association with the brand.

For once, it seems Elon might actually be powerless to do anything about it.

Four Tesla stores in Canada each sold an average of 30 cars per hour, amounting to 120 cars per hour across all four locations—essentially one car every minute, 24 hours a day…for three straight days. And yes, this includes hours when the stores were closed.

This extraordinary surge in sales conveniently coincided with Canada’s impending end of its electric vehicle subsidies, and it led to Tesla filing for C$43.1 million (US$30M) in rebates. This sum represents more than half of the remaining C$71.8 million (US$50M) allocated for EV rebates. Naturally, these details have left officials scratching their heads, wondering just how Tesla managed to pull it off.

Read: Trump Tariffs Go Into Effect, Canada Responds With 25% Retaliatory Tariff

Keep in mind that Tesla is struggling when it comes to sales in Canada right now. According to the National Post, deliveries nosedived some 70 percent between December 2024 and January 2025. When the Canadian government announced that it would soon end electric vehicle subsidies, it was expected that Tesla would see a small bump up in sales. However, a giant spike like this is a different ballgame altogether.

In total, it reportedly sold 8,653 cars in three days across four stores in Canada. The sales figures come from Transport Canada, which is the body that accounts for the rebates. According to the The Star, an official from that governmental body openly said “Tesla didn’t sell those cars that weekend.”

The Impact on the Rebate System

While these sales are a win for Elon Musk’s company, they left rival brands without access to the same EV credits. Tesla’s $43.1 million in rebates consumed more than half of the remaining funds for EV subsidies. By the time other dealers attempted to claim their rebates, the money had run out. And there were plenty of them.

According to the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), 226 dealerships submitted rebate claims for 2,295 electric vehicles but still haven’t been reimbursed, leaving them collectively out by C$10 million. Additionally, in regions like Quebec, many dealerships are closed on weekends, effectively locking them out of this “sales rush”.

Dealers Left Holding the Bag

Terry Budd, who owns eight dealerships in Canada, was understandably shocked by the news. He told The Star that he hadn’t received any formal notice about the iZEV program’s end, only a warning from CADA that the funds were running low. Budd estimates he’s out $150,000 for rebates he submitted, with another $25,000 for those that were never processed.

“The deal’s done, and we’re shy that money,” Budd said. “Nobody can tell us whether we’re going to be paid or not.” When told that a single Tesla store in Quebec had reportedly sold 4,000 cars over the weekend, Budd couldn’t believe it. “There’s no way they delivered or sold that many cars in a weekend,” he said. “They cleared everyone else out.”

More: Tesla Sales Fall Off A Cliff Globally, Including Germany, Australia, And China

Huw Williams, a spokesperson for CADA, added, “These dealers, in good faith, gave customers the money for a program that is always refunded. They shouldn’t be left making a payment on behalf of the Government of Canada.”

Unlike most other dealerships, Tesla’s Canadian stores are company-owned and directly controlled. This gives Tesla an advantage in navigating rebate claims and the sales process, unlike independent dealerships that run their own operations.

Canadian officials, however, are questioning how Tesla managed to achieve such a feat.

“Tesla had a run on the bank,” said Williams. “Somehow, Tesla gamed the system. What we can’t figure out is how this could have happened without setting off alarm bells.” He even went on to say that it defies logic that Tesla could sell that many cars and that “the registration gaming of this may be inappropriate.”

A Gray Area?

Notably, Transport Canada has stated that there’s no rule against Tesla submitting rebate paperwork in bulk after sold cars are delivered. This could be what happened, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty about the exact details. Maybe more will unfold in the coming weeks—perhaps a few more alarm bells will go off.

Tesla was proudly proclaiming less than a year ago that it would be selling 20 million electric vehicles annually by 2030. Fast forward to today, and things have taken a sharp downturn. After seemingly abandoning this lofty goal mid-2024, the company has also seen its first annual sales decline in a decade. Now, Tesla’s sales are continuing to slide in several major markets, including Germany, Australia, and, of course, China.

Earlier this week, we reported that Tesla sales in Norway collapsed by 44.4% through January and February, despite the country’s overall EV market growing by 53.4%. Things are even worse in Germany. New data from the KBA – Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority – shows that in January 2025, Tesla sales plummeted by 59.5%, with just 1,277 new cars registered in the country.

Read: Tesla Sales Crash Up To 63% In European Markets, Is Musk Or New Model Y To Blame?

The situation only worsened in February. Sales were down a staggering 76.3% compared to February 2024, with just 1,429 units sold. Through January and February, Tesla has delivered 2,706 vehicles in Germany, marking a massive 70.6% drop from the same period last year. Tesla’s decline is even more pronounced when you consider that overall BEV sales in Germany climbed 30.8% in February.

Aussie Slowdown

Australia isn’t much better. Data from the nation’s Electric Vehicle Council shows that Tesla shifted 1,592 vehicles in February, a massive 71.9% decline from the 5,665 sold in February 2024. Through the first two months of the year, Tesla delivered 2,331 vehicles to Australians, a 65.5% decline from the 6,772 vehicles sold over the same two months in 2024.

It’s worth mentioning that the highly anticipated, heavily updated Model Y has just started being sold in Australia—though only in the premium (A$73,400) Launch Edition variant, with the standard version still unavailable. So, the sales slump isn’t entirely surprising.

Even so, the outgoing Model Y saw a 55.4% decline, shifting only 924 units. Meanwhile, sales of the refreshed Model 3 are down a dramatic 81.4%, with just 668 cars sold. It seems Australians aren’t quite as eager to embrace the “Tesla dream” as they once were.

Chinese Struggles

And then there’s China, where things are also looking grim for Tesla in one of its most important markets worldwide. Preliminary data from China’s Passenger Car Association reveals that Tesla built and sold 30,688 vehicles in February 2025—a 49.16% drop from the 60,365 cars moved in February 2024. This total includes both domestic sales and exports, but it’s clear that Tesla’s Chinese market share is shrinking. When you factor in competition from local EV manufacturers, the picture becomes even murkier.

It’s safe to say that Tesla’s global growth trajectory has hit some roadblocks. While the company remains a leader in the electric vehicle space, its once-unassailable dominance in key markets is showing signs of distress. Whether it’s product fatigue, the controversial nature of its CEO, market saturation, or just bad timing—especially with the transition surrounding its best-selling vehicle, the Model Y, the shine is definitely starting to wear off.

For years, Tesla has dominated Norway’s EV market, but early 2025 sales figures suggest that grip is weaking. In the first two months of the year, Tesla’s sales in Norway plummeted by 44.4% compared to the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, the overall EV market surged by 53.4%, now accounting for a staggering 96% of all new passenger cars sold in the country.

More: Tesla Sales Crumble 45% In Europe, While EV Market Explodes 37%

With 1,606 units sold in January and February, down from 2,887 last year, Tesla has dropped to third place among Norway’s best-selling brands, trailing behind Volkswagen and even Toyota which only sells one EV, the bZ4X. That’s a sharp contrast from its full-year 2024 performance, when Tesla moved 24,259 cars and claimed an 18.9% market share.

Norway’s EV Market Grows, But Tesla Shrinks

According to data from the Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council, overall passenger car sales including EVs and ICE models jumped 46.3% (18,292 units) in the first two months of 2025. Zero-emission vehicles saw an even bigger boost, climbing 53.4% (17,443 units). This reinforces Norway’s status as a global leader in EV adoption, yet Tesla isn’t reaping the benefits.

The Top-Selling Brands and Models

Volkswagen currently holds the top spot in Norway’s EV market, delivering 3,222 vehicles in January and February, an astonishing 224.1% increase over the same period in 2024. Toyota follows with 2,102 units sold (+97.6%), while Tesla, now in third place, saw its sales drop to 1,606 (-44.4%). Rounding out the top five are Nissan with 1,186 units (+31.3%) and BMW with 1,134 units (+113.6%).

When it comes to individual models, Toyota’s bZ4X is the best-seller so far this year, with 1,762 units sold (+236.3%). The VW ID.4 follows with 1,342 units (+207.8%), just ahead of the Nissan Ariya at 1,171 units (+201%). Tesla’s Model Y, once the country’s favorite EV, has fallen to fourth place with just 965 units sold, a staggering 64.4% decline. The VW ID.7 rounds out the top five, surging 729.2% to 879 units sold.

More Than Just Musk Fatigue?

As reported by local media TV 2, while it is still too early to draw conclusions about Tesla’s market appeal in 2025, Norwegian attitudes toward the brand appear to have shifted. A recent survey by Opinion found that two out of three Norwegians have developed a more negative view of Tesla, while only 2% reported an improved perception of the EV maker. Much of this backlash appears tied to the controversial politics of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, particularly his association with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Some experts argue that Tesla’s struggles in Norway go beyond its CEO’s public persona. Robert Næss, Chief Investment Officer at Nordea Asset Management, suggests that Tesla’s once-unmatched appeal has faded in Norway: “I think it’s a combination of some people having a negative impression of Musk and the fact that a Tesla is no longer a much better buy than all other electric cars.”

More: VW ID.4 Soars 194% Leading Europe’s EV Sales, But Doesn’t Even Crack Top 25 Overall

Meanwhile, Thor Øivind Jenssen, Associate Professor at the University of Bergen believes that negative experiences among Tesla owners have significantly contributed to the decline in sales: “Tesla is at the top of the hate list of NAF and the Consumer Council. There have been several faults with the cars, and when customers complain, they are arrogant and slow in the service process”.

Can the Updated Model Y Turn Things Around?

Tesla’s biggest test in Norway will come in March 2025. Historically, March has been a strong month for the brand, and it also marks the arrival of the updated Model Y Juniper.

A sales rebound would be much needed. The Model Y, once Tesla’s best-seller in Norway, has seen its numbers collapse with just 965 units were delivered in January and February, a 64.4% drop from the 2,711 sales recorded in the same period last year.

Whether the updated Model Y can reverse Tesla’s downward trend remains to be seen, but for now, the automaker’s standing in Norway is looking shakier than ever.

Sales Plunge in Other European Markets

Unfortunately for Tesla, Norway isn’t the only place where the EV brand is struggling. While full European sales figures for February are still coming in, early data paints a grim picture. Tesla’s sales dropped 48% in Denmark last month, while over the first two months of 2025, they fell 45% in France and 42% in Sweden compared to the same period last year.

If this trend continues, Tesla may have more to worry about than just Norway’s cooling enthusiasm.

U.S. EV market share might be flat vs. 2024, but market expansion means 3% EV sales growth EV sales gained 58% looking past direct sales from Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, others California EV sales were close to flat for 2024, but non-Tesla EV sales gained 21% Policy wildcards include EV tax credit, tariffs, emissions policy, and charging infrastructure...