Category Archives: News

News

Musk’s support for the AfD caused a drop in sales of Tesla cars in Germany

Is Elon Musk intentionally destroying Tesla? According to recently published data, in January Tesla recorded a drop in sales worldwide. The biggest drop in demand was in Europe, and the biggest reason was Musk’s interference in the German elections and support for the AfD party.

Last month, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD, on his social media platform for a 75-minute debate in which she falsely claimed that Adolf Hitler was a socialist. The AfD is also a party that calls for mass deportations of migrants and uses Nazi slogans in its campaign, and has been classified as right-wing extremist by Germany’s intelligence agency. Musk’s choice of sides has been criticized by both Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz, but also by customers who clearly do not support this behavior.

According to the KBA (German Federal Motor Transport authority), Tesla sold 1,875 fewer cars in the German market than in January 2024, with a market share of just 4 percent, a huge drop compared to January 2024 when they had a share of 14 percent.

At the same time, Tesla’s main competitors in Germany are recording sales growth. Volkswagen sold 6,521 more EVs than in the same period last year. In second place, surprisingly for some, is the Spanish brand Cupra, which delivered 2,520 more EVs in January compared to January 2024.

Tesla’s sales decline in Europe may not seem so big to some, because the electric car market has been very shaken in recent years. However, we should not forget the fact that 54 percent more EVs were sold in Germany in January than in the same month in 2024. This shows that the situation is more difficult than it seems.

Some believe that the upgraded Model Y, which is scheduled for the first half of 2025, could turn the situation in Tesla’s favor. Whether that will happen remains to be seen.

Source: KBA

News

Bridgestone developed special tires for Porsche cars

Porsche has ordered special tires from the Japanese company Bridgestone for its Macan Electric and Panamera models. The Potenza Sport tires are available for both models, while the Blizzak LM005 winter tires are only available for the Porsche Panamera.

When developing the Potenza tires, which will be available in sizes 20, 21 and 22 inches, Bridgestone took into account the sporty characteristics of the Porsche, its mass associated with the traction battery and the high torque of the electric motor. The result is tires with outstanding handling on dry and wet roads, as well as at high speeds, but also high braking performance, comfort and optimized rolling resistance, for a range of around 600 kilometers.

For the Porsche Panamera, Bridgestone offers 21-inch Potenza Sport summer tires with outstanding sports performance for better driving comfort, while 20-inch Blizzak LM005 winter tires provide better grip on snow and ice.

Source: Bridgestone

News

Tesla’s sales in France dropped by 63 percent

In 2024, Tesla sold 1.7 million vehicles worldwide (1.1% less than in 2023), and the beginning of 2025 shows that the same trend will continue. According to sales results for January, Tesla is losing in all markets, and the biggest drop was recorded in France of 63%.

Demand for electric vehicles in Europe last year was in decline, especially after the abolition of subsidies, and buyers are increasingly opting for hybrids. However, some data shows that the electric vehicle market is slowly recovering.

Tesla’s sales decline came as the German electric vehicle market grew by more than 50 percent year-on-year in January, knocking its market share from 14% to just 4%. In France, Tesla sales fell by 63 percent in January, while in Norway 38 percent fewer Tesla vehicles were sold. In the UK, sales fell by 8 percent compared to a year earlier.

What is the biggest reason for Tesla’s poor performance? Some believe Musk’s support for the AfD party is one reason. Last month, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD, on his social media platform for a 75-minute debate in which she falsely claimed that Adolf Hitler was a socialist. The AfD is also a party that calls for mass deportations of migrants and uses Nazi slogans in its campaign, and has been classified as right-wing extremist by Germany’s intelligence agency.

This choice of sides and interference in the German elections, which will be held on February 23, has been criticized by both Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz.

Automotive analyst Matthias Schmidt attributed Tesla’s decline in the German market to consumers waiting for the upgraded Model Y, which is scheduled for the first half of 2025. An entrepreneur from the state of Baden-Württemberg said he received 2,000 orders in one weekend, with customers saying: “I bought this before Elon went crazy.”

Source: Reuters