Mar 17, 2025 12:30:00

Used Tesla prices fall as embarrassed owners sell off their vehicles

Generally, the use of EVs is seen as a sign of high awareness and concern for the global environment, but things are changing with Tesla cars, and disappointment with Elon Musk, who became a cabinet member of the Trump administration, which is passive in taking measures against climate change, has developed into large-scale

protests against Tesla. Market research has revealed that the impact is being seen as a drop in the price of used Tesla cars in Europe and other places where demand for EVs is supposed to be strong.

Used Tesla prices tumble as embarrassed owners look to sell - Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/03/used-tesla-prices-tumble-as-embarrassed-owners-look-to-sell/

Teslas turn toxic as sales crash in Europe and the UK - Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/02/tesla-sales-plummet-in-the-uk-france-and-germany/

Since January 2025, when the second Trump administration was inaugurated, data has begun to be reported showing that Tesla cars are struggling in Europe, a major EV market. For example, in France, the second largest EV market in the EU, Tesla's new car sales in January 2025 were 1,141 units, a 63% decrease from 3,118 units the previous month. In the country, the decrease in total car sales was 6%, while the decrease in EV sales was only 0.5%, suggesting that Tesla is the only loser.

by

Wendell

As fewer Tesla owners are buying new cars, the trend of selling off their Teslas is also growing. According to a survey by Car Gurus, a US market research company, the price of used Teslas over the past 90 days has fallen at twice the rate (-3.7%) of the overall automobile market (-1.5%).

Year-over-year, prices of used Tesla cars have fallen 7.5%, a faster decline than the overall market, which fell 2.8%. Another market research firm, iSeeCars, also reported that 'Tesla has the highest decline of all brands, falling 13.6% in the past year.' According to iSeeCars' research, Tesla's Model 3, Y, and S are all ranked in the fourth worst price declines. The first place in terms of decline was the Porsche Taycan.

The reasons why Tesla is struggling in Europe include delays in updating its lineup and road conditions. In particular, the Cybertruck is too large and heavy to drive with a normal European driver's license, and does not comply with road regulations.

Adding to this situation is the tarnished image of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Owning a Tesla car is a kind of stigma in the West, and one owner told The New York Times that he was called a 'Nazi' in a parking lot. To avoid such criticism, it is becoming popular among Tesla owners to put stickers on their cars that say 'I bought it before Elon went crazy.'

by Maddie McGarvey for The New York Times

'Tesla CEO Elon Musk's actions and words may also be a major reason why Tesla cars are disliked in Europe. Recently, Musk has repeatedly interfered in European politics to sow discord and promote far-right ideals. At least in Europe, car buyers seem to be fed up with him,' said Ars Technica, an IT news site.