Tesla had a nightmare start for the year, and nowhere more than in Europe.
Sales of the car manufacturer across the continent fell 37% in the first three months of the year, according to figures from the Dataforce market researcher, while fighting a global brand crisis linked to the involvement of the CEO Elon Musk with the Trump administration.
Once, except the only EV player in the city, Tesla is now faced with a wide range of competitors in Europe, adding to business misfortunes.
Some of these new rivals come from China. Not content with crushing Tesla on their domestic market, Chinese companies like Byd develop quickly abroad, especially in Europe.
Although Tesla still dominates the electric vehicle market in Europe and Chinese car manufacturers were only a low presence, sales data suggest that they catch up.
Byd saw its sales tank of around 7,000 in the first three months of last year at 27,000 over the same period in 2025, an increase of almost 300%, according to DataForce figures.
While Tesla fights to keep, here are some of the Chinese electric vehicles that should disturb Elon Musk on the third Tesla market.
Byd SCEL U
A byd u seal. Images John Keeble / Getty
Byd has launched a flood of models in Europe in the past year, but the U seal is the one that should make Tesla nervous.
The Chinese car manufacturer sold around 12,400 of hybrid SUVs this year, with more than half of these sales during the last month.
Like many of its Chinese rivals, byd has has put a renewed accent on hybrids, That Tesla does not sell, in Europe because they are exempt from prices on imported Chinese electric cars introduced by the European Union last year.
Byd Dolphin
A dolphin byd. Lars Penning / Picture Alliance via Getty Images
Another entry into the range of electric vehicles on the aquatic theme of Byd, the electric dolphin made its debut in Europe in 2023.
The electric tailgate has sold around 4,500 units so far in 2025, an increase of 175% compared to the same period last year.
The $ 35,000 EV will soon be joined by the Dolphin Surf, the European brand for the Hayon of Seagull de Byd, which is sold as little as $ 7,800 in China and should be on sale this year.
MG ZS
MG ZS. Kabir Jhangiani / Nurphoto via Getty Images
The historic British car brand MG was acquired by the Chinese giant Saic Motors in 2007, and its range of electric vehicles and affordable hybrids is currently going hand in hand with the American automaker in Europe.
MG has sold 36,400 of its hybrid MG ZS so far in 2025, an increase of 44% compared to the same period last year.
This increase saw the compact SUV of $ 30,000 excreting the Y model of Tesla, which participates in the same segment, in the first three months of the year.
MG3
MG3. Sjoerd van der wal / getty images
MG sales were also stimulated by its $ 25,000 MG3 hybrid, which was launched in Europe last year and sold 15,200 units so far in 2025.
The saleswave of the automaker has transformed Saic Motors into one of the greatest threats to which Tesla in Europe is confronted with Tesla.
Sales of the Chinese brand belonging to the State exceeded Tesla in the first two months of 2025, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Leapmotor T03
The Leapmotor T03. Sjoerd van der wal / getty images
The owner of Jeep and Chrysler, Stellantis, joined forces with the Chinese manufacturer EV Leapmotor to sell his cars in Europe, and the T03 EV was one of the first cars of the brand to come on the continent when it was launched at the end of last year.
The “city car” of $ 21,000 is only 3.6 meters long and has a range of up to 263 miles. Leapmotor and Stellantis sold 2,500 this year in Europe.
Polestar 4
The Polestar 4. Jacek Boczarski / Anadolu via Getty Images
The Swedish brand Polestar, which belongs to the Chinese conglomerate Geely, has been aggressive in its attempts to tear down Tesla market share.
Related stories
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know
CEO Michael Lohscheller told Bloomberg that he had told his sellers to target the owners of Tesla, describing the backlash against Musk as an opportunity for the EV brand.
The data on sales of Europe suggest that it could pay, Polestar seeing its sales double to more than 9,000 in the first three months of the year.
The push was motivated by the Polestar 4, which was launched in Europe last year. The Luxury Electric Coupé, made in China, has sold 4,700 units so far in 2025.
businessinsider
