The new Tesla Model Y arrives in a Europe in full chaos!

One cannot really say that the good fairies have hovered over the cradle of the new Tesla Model Y!

The new Tesla Model Y has finally arrived after a very (too?) long wait. But there is no welcome pot in sight as the ambitious SUV enters a more complex European electric vehicle market than ever.

In 2024, despite its success with over 209,000 registrations, the Model Y saw a 17% drop in sales, a decline much greater than the overall battery electric vehicle (BEV) market, which fell by 1.2%. The market share of BEVs in Europe has slightly decreased from 15.7% in 2023 to 15.4% in 2024. This slowdown is primarily attributed to still high prices, insufficient charging infrastructure, and uncertainties regarding government subsidies.

Tesla on several fronts including the image front

In 2025, the first weeks indicate a deterioration in Tesla’s performance in some key regions. In France, the brand’s sales plummeted by 63% in January, far beyond the slight 0.5% decline in the overall electric vehicle market. In Germany, Tesla also faces boycotts from certain companies that are excluding the brand from their fleets due to the polarizing political statements of its CEO, Elon Musk.

In this context, the new Tesla Model Y will have to meet several expectations. It must appeal to a demanding audience by offering significant technical improvements and enhanced competitiveness in terms of price. Meanwhile, Tesla will need to work on its brand image in Europe, particularly affected by controversies surrounding its leader. This is all the more important as Musk had until now been the symbol of a modern automaker.

Finally, the manufacturer will have to navigate an increasingly competitive electric market, where affordable models continue to gain ground amidst local brands finally ready to compete! One could say that we won’t be having fun placing bets on the success of the new Model Y…

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