Tesla sales plunge 40% in Europe as Chinese EV rival BYD's triple

Core Insights - Tesla's car sales in Europe have declined for seven consecutive months, with July registrations falling by 40% year-on-year to 8,837 units, while BYD's registrations surged by 225% to 13,503 units [2][3] Group 1: Tesla's Performance - Tesla's new car registrations in July totaled 8,837, marking a 40% decrease compared to the same month last year [2] - The company is facing challenges including intense competition and reputational damage due to Elon Musk's controversial statements and his relationship with the Trump administration [3] - Tesla's auto sales revenue fell in the second quarter, and Musk indicated that the company might experience "a few rough quarters" ahead [3] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - BYD has aggressively expanded in Europe, opening showrooms and launching competitively priced models, leading to a significant increase in its market share [5] - Chinese brands achieved a record market share of over 5% in the first half of the year, indicating growing competition for Tesla [5] - Other automakers like Stellantis, Hyundai, Toyota, and Suzuki also reported year-on-year declines in European new car registrations in July, contrasting with increases from Volkswagen, BMW, and Renault Group [6] Group 3: Future Outlook - Tesla is working on a more affordable electric car, with volume production expected in the second half of 2025, which investors hope will boost sales [4]