The bill for Musk’s political crusade arrives: Tesla’s European sales plummet
Sales Plunge 63% in EU’s second-biggest EV market
This edition of The Mobility Week in Review explores the bill Elon Musk is beginning to pay for his political leap, the European aviation industry’s push for a clear decarbonization roadmap, Volvo’s latest move in autonomous trucking, a breakthrough in electric engines for next-generation aircraft, and the expanding influence of Chinese firms in Africa’s railway sector.
Without further ado, let’s dive in…
🥶 European demand for Tesla declines sharply
Tesla saw a sharp decline in sales across five major European markets in January, including the United Kingdom and France, as competitors with newer electric vehicle models gained ground. Meanwhile, public sentiment toward CEO Elon Musk appears to be shifting, with polls indicating growing dissatisfaction over his increasing political involvement. Musk has made a high-profile leap into politics, with much of 2024 marked by his financial backing of Donald Trump, to whom he contributed $250 million in what ultimately became a successful bid to return to the White House.