Tesla’s sales of China-made electric vehicles dropped 49.2% year-on-year in February, falling to 30,688 units, the lowest since August 2022, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
The decline comes as the US automaker faces increasing pressure from Chinese rivals in an escalating price war in the smart EV market.
In the first two months of the year, Tesla sold 93,926 vehicles manufactured at its Shanghai plant, marking a 28.7% decline from the same period last year.
The company’s January-February sales were affected by the shifting Lunar New Year holiday, which took place in late January this year compared to February in 2024.
Additionally, Tesla temporarily halted some Model Y production as part of an upgrade process, which further impacted deliveries.
The Tesla stock was down around 4% in premarket trading on Tuesday.
On Monday, Morgan Stanley reinstated Tesla as its “Top Pick” in the US auto sector, setting a price target of $430.
BYD and Chinese rivals gain ground
While Tesla’s sales declined, Chinese competitor BYD recorded a 90.4% increase in passenger vehicle sales last month, delivering 614,679 units across its Dynasty and Ocean series of EVs and plug-in hybrids.
The company has further intensified competition by launching new smart EV models priced below $10,000, undercutting rivals and forcing other automakers such as Leapmotor and Geely to roll out affordable smart EVs.
Tesla’s locally made Model 3 and Model Y both fall within the smart EV category, but the company has faced growing competition as domestic brands launch new models with similar technology at lower price points.
Tesla has attempted to bolster its position by updating its autopilot software in China, introducing a long-awaited city navigation feature in late February. Additionally, the company has begun deliveries of the refreshed Model Y, which remains its best-selling vehicle in the country.
Tesla’s Europe sales also disappoint
Tesla’s struggles have not been limited to China.
The company saw a sharp drop in sales across Scandinavia and France in February, with registrations in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark falling between 42% and 48% year-on-year.
In France, Tesla’s vehicle registrations declined 45% over the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from French car association PFA.
Last year, the Model Y was the best-selling EV in the country and the 10th most-sold car overall.
This year, it has fallen to 27th place, trailing behind models such as the electric Peugeot 208, Renault 5, and Citroën e-C3.
The company’s declining market share in Europe has been attributed to increasing competition from legacy automakers offering newer EV models, as well as the potential impact of CEO Elon Musk’s political associations.
In Musk’s first full month as part of President Donald Trump’s White House, shares of Tesla fell around 28%, marking the largest decline since December 2022.
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