UK sales of new Tesla cars slump by more than a third amid Musk backlash

Electric carmaker sold 36% fewer cars year on year in May as it loses ground to China’s BYD and other rivals

Sales of new Tesla cars slumped by more than a third in the UK last month as the electric carmaker lost ground to China’s BYD and other rivals, amid a political backlash against its billionaire boss, Elon Musk.

Tesla sold 2,016 vehicles in the UK in May, down from 3,152 in May 2024 – a 36% drop, according to the monthly snapshot from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The Chinese carmaker BYD’s sales in the UK jumped by 407%, from 596 in May last year to 3,025 last month. It sells hybrids as well as pure electric cars. BYD first overtook Tesla in January.

Tesla has sold 15,002 cars in the UK so far this year, down 7.8% from 16,272 in the same period last year.