UK sales of new Tesla cars slump by more than a third amid Musk backlash

Electric carmaker sold 36% fewer cars year on year in May as it loses ground to China's BYD and other rivals

Sales of new Tesla cars slumped by more than a third in the UK last month as the electric carmaker lost ground to China's BYD and other rivals, amid a political backlash against its billionaire boss, Elon Musk.

Tesla sold 2,016 vehicles in the UK in May, down from 3,152 in May 2024 - a 36% drop, according to the monthly snapshot from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).