In recent months, tech billionaire Elon Musk has stepped into the political arena, with an increasingly prominent presence on the political stage. But in contrast, Tesla — the electric vehicle company where Musk serves as CEO — is paying the price, according to Reuters.

Plunging Sales

Tesla’s sales in Europe dropped by 45% in January compared to the same period last year, while its competitors saw a combined increase of more than 37%, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

Early sales figures for February in Europe show that the decline is continuing. Four corporate fleet managers reported that Tesla’s share in their company fleets has remained flat or declined, signaling tougher times ahead for the automaker.

A Tesla Cybertruck drove past protesters outside a Tesla dealership in Fort Lauderdale on February 22.

A late-January survey conducted by EV review site Electrifying.com revealed that 59% of Brits who either own or plan to buy an electric vehicle say they won’t choose Tesla—because of Elon Musk. Meanwhile, an anti-Tesla campaign is actively gaining traction on X (formerly Twitter).

In countries like Norway—once a Tesla stronghold in Scandinavia—the love for the American EV giant appears to be fading. Sales there dropped 48% year-over-year, with Denmark and Sweden also seeing declines of over 40% in February compared to the same time in 2024. In France, the drop was milder but still notable at just under 25%, according to data from Electrek.

Tesla’s China-made vehicle sales also suffered: down 49.2% in February from a year earlier, with only 30,688 units sold—the lowest monthly figure since August 2022. The company continues to face fierce competition in China’s intense EV price war.

In total, Tesla sold 93,926 China-made vehicles (Model 3 and Model Y) globally during the first two months of 2025, marking a 28.7% decline year-over-year, based on figures from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

Protests Against Elon Musk Erupt Across the U.S.

Back in the U.S., discontent is boiling over. Protesters lined the streets of New York City in freezing weather to express growing frustration with Elon Musk’s political role.

The Tesla service center in Brooklyn, typically tucked away on a quiet, warehouse-lined street, was anything but quiet on Sunday, March 2. That afternoon marked the third straight week of global protests targeting Tesla stores and service centers—centered on Musk’s increasing involvement in the U.S. government.

“You can’t run a country like a corporation,” said Emily Waters, an art and design professor at Parsons School of Design, speaking to InsideEVs. “It has to be run by people we vote for. Elon wasn’t elected.”
Waters was referring to Musk’s controversial new position as Special Government Official and head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Demonstrations have erupted in several other U.S. cities including Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tucson, Cleveland, Columbus, and Ann Arbor. At the Tesla showroom in Manhattan, the scene turned chaotic, with hundreds of protesters and at least nine arrests reported.

Even celebrities are speaking out. Country music star Sheryl Crow publicly sold her Tesla Model 3 and donated the proceeds to NPR—a media outlet Musk had previously threatened to defund.

Some Tesla owners have taken matters into their own hands, removing Tesla badges from their vehicles and replacing them with logos from other car brands. Many say they fear vandalism due to the growing anti-Musk sentiment.

Tesla charging station vandalized as charging stalls set on fire.

In recent days, what appear to be acts of sabotage have struck Tesla facilities across multiple countries.

On the night of March 2, more than 10 Tesla vehicles were set ablaze at a store in Toulouse, France, in what authorities suspect was a deliberate attack. Just two days later, on March 4, an arson assault at Tesla’s factory in Grünheide, southeast of Berlin, Germany, cut power and halted production at the facility.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., approximately six Tesla Superchargers were torched near Boston on March 3. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in any of the incidents.

Musk’s Political Debut, Tesla’s Crisis

Elon Musk may have only recently dipped his toes into the political world, but it’s been 17 years since the first Tesla vehicle hit the market. It may take years for Americans to determine whether Musk’s political involvement improves or worsens the country. But for now, it’s clear that one of his most iconic creations is bearing the brunt of the public backlash.