| | Just in: Sales of Teslas in the UK more than halved, year-on-year, in the UK last month as the electric carmaker’s struggles continue.
Industry body data just released shows that just 987 new Teslas were registered in the UK in July, almost 60% less than the 2,462 registered in July 2024. This means Tesla’s UK market share shrank to 0.7% in July, from 1.67% a year ago.
For 2025 to date, Tesla sales in the UK are 7% lower, during a year in which CEO Elon Musk has faced heavy criticism for his – now-soured – relationship with Donald Trump.
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The wider UK electric car sector grew in July, though. Sales of battery-powered vehicles (BEVs) rose by 9.1% to 29,825, giving BEVs a 21.3% share of the market.
China’s BYD more than quadrupled its sales last month, to 3,184 in July from 768 a year ago. The company recently launched a relatively cheap electric car, the Dolphin Surf, in the UK.
BYD’s sales are up 514% during 2025 to 22,574, up from 3,672 in January-July 2024. That’s only slightly fewer than Tesla which has shifted 23,708 cars so far this year.
Last month Tesla reported a large drop in quarterly deliveries, as demand faltered due to the backlash over CEO Elon Musk’s political stance.
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Tesla’s sales have also been hurt by its aging model line-up – the company has been rolling out an updated Model Y this year, dubbed the “Juniper” refresh.
Yesterday, Tesla announced it was handing Musk stock options worth almost $30bn, in an attempt to keep him committed to the company for the next few years.
Overall, the UK’s new car market shrank by 5% in July with 140,154 units registered, which is the weakest July since 2022.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, says:
July’s dip shows yet again the new car market’s sensitivity to external factors, and the pressing need for consumer certainty. Confirming which models qualify for the new EV grant, alongside compelling manufacturer discounts on a huge choice of exciting new vehicles, should send a strong signal to buyers that now is the time to switch.
That would mean increased demand for the rest of this year and into next, which is good news for the industry, car buyers and our environmental ambitions. |
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