Tesla’s sales across Europe fell sharply in October, nearly halving from last year, while Chinese competitor BYD not only outsold the U.S. automaker but also secured a larger share of the regional market.
According to data released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) recorded 6,964 new registrations across the EU, the European Free Trade Association, and the UK. That figure represents a 48.5% year-on-year decline, pushing Tesla’s market share down to 0.6%, compared with 1.3% in October 2024.
BYD Co. Ltd. (USOTC:BYDDY), meanwhile, saw its momentum explode. The company registered 17,470 vehicles in the same region—up 206.8% from a year earlier—lifting its market share to 1.6%.
European auto sales as a whole rose 4.9% to 1.09 million units in October, with hybrid-electric models continuing to dominate. BYD benefits from a broader product mix than Tesla, offering popular hybrids alongside its fully electric vehicles.
Hybrid sales climbed 7.5% during the month to 373,171 units.
Tesla’s European performance has been weakening throughout 2025, and October’s results point to a sluggish start for the fourth quarter. Heightened competition—combined with ongoing public backlash tied to CEO Elon Musk’s political activity—has weighed on demand. The company’s refreshed lineup, including lower-priced Model Y and Model 3 variants, has also struggled to generate meaningful sales momentum. Tesla is simultaneously contending with softer demand in other major regions, particularly China.
BYD, by contrast, has accelerated its global push. Its European sales continue to expand despite the EU’s steep tariffs on Chinese EVs introduced in 2024. The automaker has partially avoided the brunt of those duties thanks to robust sales of its plug-in hybrid models.
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