Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) is confronting continued declines in vehicle registrations in several principal European countries as of December 2025, despite strategic efforts to attract customers by launching more competitively priced versions of its Model Y and Model 3 electric vehicles. These challenges come amid intensifying competition within the European electric vehicle (EV) sector, contributing to persistent softness in Tesla's European sales over recent months.
According to recent industry data, Tesla experienced significant registration decreases in France, where December figures nosedived by 66%, and the full-year 2025 volume contracted by 37%. Similarly, Sweden witnessed a sharper falloff, with December registrations down 71% and total annual sales plummeting 70%. Portugal and Spain also recorded declines in Tesla registrations, with full-year sales contracting 22% and 4%, respectively.
By the end of November 2025, Tesla's market share in the European Union, United Kingdom, and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) territories had decreased to 1.7% from 2.4% in the corresponding period of the previous year, highlighting the automaker’s challenge to maintain foothold amid escalating market pressures.
In contrast, the broader EV market within Europe continues to expand, with electric vehicles accounting for 19% of overall new car purchases, illustrating a still-strong consumer shift towards electric mobility across the region.
However, Norway stands out as a markedly divergent case within Europe’s EV landscape. Tesla's vehicle registrations surged by 89% in December 2025, reaching 5,679 units, and propelled the brand to a market share exceeding 19% in a market where electric vehicles nearly monopolize new car sales. This performance culminates in a record sales year for Tesla within Norway, underscoring localized success despite broader continental challenges.
Alongside market share shifts, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have considerably amplified their presence across Europe. In November 2025, Chinese brands achieved a record 12.8% share of the European EV market, driven by companies such as BYD Co Ltd (OTC:BYDDY), Leapmotor (supported by Stellantis NV), and Chery. Moreover, Chinese-produced hybrid vehicles accounted for over 13% market share across the EU, EFTA, and UK markets.
A significant part of this momentum has been attributable to BYD, which reported an exceptional 222% year-over-year growth in European sales for November 2025, contrasting with Tesla's declining figures for the same period. Further, BYD is actively preparing to launch a kei-class electric vehicle tailored for the European market, pending regulatory clearances.
In terms of export volumes, Chinese EV manufacturers have expanded rapidly, with shipments to Europe rising 63% year-over-year, and total vehicle exports climbing by more than 87%. Manufacturers such as XPeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV) are accelerating their European market entry strategies by targeting smaller regions including Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, aiming to capture incremental market opportunities.
Despite these market dynamics, Tesla's global delivery performance is also anticipated to reflect weakening trends, with projections indicating a pronounced decline in fourth-quarter 2025 deliveries worldwide, according to industry reports from Reuters.
In premarket trading on the reported Friday, Tesla's stock price modestly increased, rising 1.59% to $456.87 per share based on Benzinga Pro data. This movement reflects cautious investor anticipation amid mixed signals from Tesla's performance metrics and competitive environment.