Tesla UK car sales drop 37% as Chinese competition heightens, SMMT data shows

Core Insights - Tesla's UK sales dropped by 37% in February compared to the previous year, with sales figures falling from 3,852 units to 2,422 units, amid increasing competition from Chinese EV manufacturers like BYD [1][1][1] - Overall new car sales in the UK increased by 7.2% to 90,100 units, marking the best February since 2004, driven by recovering private retail sales [1][1][1] Tesla's Sales Performance - Tesla's sales decline is attributed to heightened competition from Chinese EV brands, particularly BYD, which saw its sales rise by 40% [1][1] - A Tesla spokesperson indicated that monthly registration figures do not accurately reflect sales or orders, suggesting that quarterly registrations provide a better gauge of sales performance [1][1][1] - The spokesperson also noted that orders and reservations for Tesla vehicles in January and February exceeded those in the same months of 2024 and 2025, but these orders remain unfulfilled due to delays in registration and delivery [1][1][1] Competitor Analysis - BYD's sales increased by 83%, although it still trails Tesla in total sales volume [1][1] - Data from transport research firm New Automotive corroborated the trend, showing Tesla's sales nearly halved to 2,208 vehicles in February [1][1]