Tesla sales decline in Europe for fifth straight month as rivals gain ground

Competitive Landscape & Pricing

• Many commenters say the main change is simply that good alternatives now exist: VW ID series, Volvo/Polestar, BMW i-range, BYD, MG, Hyundai/Kia, Renault, Dacia, etc.
• Several dispute the claim that “Tesla’s competition costs 25–50% more,” providing examples where European or Korean EVs undercut the Model 3/Model Y, and where much cheaper city EVs fill segments Tesla doesn’t serve.
• Others argue Chinese EVs are often a bit cheaper but “less car” (smaller, worse specs, weaker software), and point out Tesla’s limited model range as a key weakness.

Charging Infrastructure & Software

• One view: outside Tesla, charging networks and in-car software are still a “terrible mess,” making long cross‑Europe trips harder.
• Counter‑view: across much of Europe (UK, northern countries, France) public charging is now dense, CCS is standardized, many chargers take contactless or plug‑and‑charge, and overall trip times across brands are comparable.
• Superchargers are no longer seen as uniquely superior in Europe; some note they’re often poorly located (few amenities) compared with other networks.
• UX is contested: some consider Tesla’s interface best‑in‑class; others find it dangerous, with basic controls buried and layouts changing unpredictably.

Chinese Brands, Safety & Durability

• Concerns raised about a “long tail” of Chinese brands that may disappear, leaving owners with service issues.
• Others respond that many names are sub‑brands of a few large groups (e.g., BYD, Geely/Volvo) and that numerous Chinese models are tested by Euro NCAP, not just C‑NCAP.

Politics, Brand Damage & Boycotts

• A large part of the thread ties Tesla’s European decline to the CEO’s politics: support for far‑right parties, a Nazi salute, rhetoric against various groups. Many state they would not buy a Tesla now despite liking the cars.
• Some see “voting with your wallet” as the core driver; others note the inconsistency of boycotting Tesla while buying products from authoritarian China.
• Proposed “fixes” range from a public apology and reduced control/compensation to full resignation and divestment; several think it’s too late for any of that.

Design & Perceived Tech Edge

• Opinions on the new Model 3/Y styling are split: some call it cheap and “Cybertruck‑ified,” others appreciate the cleaner or more distinctive look.
• Debate over whether Tesla still has a meaningful tech advantage: some cite FSD/Autopilot as unique, others call it a risky gimmick, especially since full FSD is not allowed in Europe and many buyers don’t prioritize it.