Tesla stock hit by major price target cut from Bank of America analyst

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is experiencing significant challenges in 2025, with a stock decline of over 6% on March 4, trading at $267.22, and a year-to-date loss of more than 34%, underperforming the Nasdaq index [1][2]. Group 1: Sales Performance - Tesla's sales in China have sharply declined, with wholesale shipments dropping 49% year-over-year to 30,688 vehicles in February, marking the lowest monthly sales since August 2022 [4]. - In the first two months of 2025, Tesla sold 93,926 China-made vehicles globally, reflecting a 28.7% decline compared to the same period last year [4]. - The company is facing intensified competition, as BYD's sales surged 164% year-over-year to 322,846 vehicles in February, while other competitors like Li Auto and Nio also reported strong growth [5]. Group 2: Market Challenges - Tesla's performance in Europe has also deteriorated, with sales in France falling 26% year-over-year and a 45% decline across major European EV markets in January [6]. - In Scandinavia, registrations dropped between 42% and 48% in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, raising concerns about Tesla's growth sustainability [7]. Group 3: Analyst Reactions - Bank of America has reduced Tesla's price target from $490 to $380, maintaining a 'Neutral' rating due to declining vehicle sales and brand perception risks [8]. - Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas remains bullish, reaffirming Tesla as the top pick in the U.S. auto sector with an 'Overweight' rating and a $430 price target, suggesting that current delivery challenges do not indicate a long-term negative trend [9][10].