(MENAFN) US electric vehicle (EV) leader Tesla saw its European Union sales tumble 18.6% year-on-year in September, according to data released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

Billionaire Elon Musk's company sold 25,656 units in the EU last month, down from 31,535 in September 2024, the ACEA report showed. The automaker’s market share also slipped to 2.9% from 3.9% over the same period.

Across Europe—including the EU, the European Free Trade Association, and the UK—Tesla’s sales fell 10.5% year-on-year to 39,837 units in September. For the first nine months of 2025, Tesla’s sales plummeted 38.7% compared to the same period in 2024, totaling 111,328 units.

In contrast, overall battery electric vehicle sales in the EU surged 20% in September to 167,586 units, highlighting strong demand for EVs despite Tesla’s decline.

Chinese automaker BYD, a key Tesla competitor, experienced a dramatic 272% year-on-year increase in EU sales to 13,221 units in September. BYD’s market share jumped to 1.5% from 0.4% in the same month last year.

Tesla’s recent drop in European sales has been attributed to Musk’s controversial political positions, his interventions in European politics, and intensifying competition from Chinese EV brands.

MENAFN28102025000045017169ID1110257663