BMW Overtakes Tesla in European EV Sales for First Time

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Scope of the “BMW Overtakes Tesla” Claim

  • Commenters note the headline is based on July 2024 registrations in Europe, with BMW ahead by only ~300 units.
  • Multiple posts stress this is a one‑month snapshot, strongly affected by Tesla’s quarterly logistics (month 1 build, month 2 ship from China, month 3 deliver).
  • Year‑to‑date charts shared in the thread show Tesla still substantially ahead of BMW in European BEV sales.
  • Registrations are seen as a relatively good proxy for true consumer sales, though not perfectly 1:1 and in principle gameable.

BMW’s EV Lineup and Design

  • Several people were unaware BMW had multiple BEVs; others list the historic i3 and current “i” models.
  • i3 is widely praised as an innovative city car with carbon fiber construction, but criticized for small battery and high cost; its failure pushed BMW back to shared ICE/EV platforms.
  • Upcoming “Neue Klasse” is described as a clean-sheet EV platform with more interior space and high performance potential.
  • Many dislike BMW’s oversized “beaver tooth” grilles and fake vents; a minority say they like the i4/IX aesthetics.

Tesla vs. BMW: Quality, Reliability, and Tech

  • Some state they’d never buy Tesla over a legacy brand with decades of experience; others counter that Tesla drivetrains and batteries are very reliable, with issues mostly cosmetic.
  • EU inspection data is cited to claim high defect rates for the Model 3; counter‑claims say BMW ICE reliability also varies strongly by model.
  • Several compare interiors: BMW EVs feel more “premium” and conventional; new Teslas are seen by some as cheapened, overly screen‑driven, and missing familiar controls.
  • Opinions on Tesla’s FSD diverge: some report a major recent step up and find it less stressful than driving; others call it dangerous L2 that encourages inattention and lags behind systems from Mercedes, GM, and Waymo.

Musk, Brand Perception, and Buying Decisions

  • Many commenters explicitly say they cancelled Tesla orders or won’t consider Tesla now, largely due to Musk’s political activity, social‑media behavior, and FSD marketing.
  • Others argue this effect is overstated, that most buyers focus on price, range, and charging, and that Tesla sales volumes remain very high.
  • In Europe, some say Musk’s persona matters less, though his interventions in EU/UK politics and moderation on X are becoming more visible.

Broader Market and Valuation

  • Consensus that Tesla will no longer be the “default” EV as nearly every major brand now offers BEVs and charging access is broadening.
  • Some predict legacy manufacturers will “eat Tesla’s lunch” as the market matures; others point out Tesla still leads global BEV volumes and offers strong value (e.g., post‑incentive Model 3 pricing).
  • Tesla’s market cap (far above BMW and even Toyota) is widely seen as baking in expectations beyond being “just a car company”; opinions split on whether that upside is realistic.