Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
Tesla’s new car registrations rose 21% year-on-year in the UK to 3,852 units in February, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), defying a broader decline across several European markets.
As of February 28, Tesla’s year-to-date UK sales were up 67% from the same period last year, after registering its best-ever February in the country. In 2024, the Model Y was the best-selling car, followed by the Model 3. Tesla was also the second-best-selling brand in the UK last year, trailing only Volkswagen.
Tesla’s UK sales have historically spiked in the final month of each quarter, as it receives a new batch of vehicles produced at the company’s GigaShanghai plant.
Overall, battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in the UK rose 41.7% year-on-year to 21,244 units in February, while plug-in hybrid registrations increased 19.3% to 7,273 units. In contrast, registrations of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles fell around 16%.
As reported earlier this week, Tesla registered 613 vehicles in Sweden, a 42% decline from a year earlier. Registrations in Norway and Denmark each fell 48%, with 917 and 509 units, respectively. Registrations in France fell 26% from a year ago to 2,395 units.
In the U.S., sales stood at 43,650 units, according to Motor Intelligence estimates.
Tesla registrations dropped 24% year-on-year to 983 vehicles in the Dutch market, though they rose 6% from January.
Tesla began deliveries of the refreshed Model Y in China last week and in the United States on Sunday. The five-seat SUV remains Tesla’s best-selling model and was the world’s top-selling car in 2024, with 1.09 million units sold.
Deliveries are expected to begin between May and June, varying by market and configuration. Until then, Tesla’s registrations in Europe are likely to remain below last year’s levels, with demand anticipated to pick up in the second half of 2025.
Tesla shares are trading 3% higher on Wednesday at $279. The stock has fallen sharply in the last few months after having surged late last year on Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. election.
