Declining demand, vandalism dent Tesla sales in Australia and New Zealand

Tesla sales continue to tank up and it’s no different in Australia and New Zealand. The Elon Musk-led company has been on a downward trajectory since November last year when it registered a 35.5% drop year-on-year according to the report by Australia’s Electric Vehicle Council. The new year has failed to rejig Tesla’s numbers as it plummeted to around 35% in February 2025. To make matters worse, there’s been a rise in vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships in Australia and New Zealand. 

Customers disapprove of Musk’s right-wing ties

Tesla owners in Australia and New Zealand continue to swear by the EV’s performance, quality and range but have openly rejected Musk’s political beliefs. According to a Reuters report, a loyalist Tesla customer since 2015, Dick Friend still finds these electric vehicles impressive but he is not happy with Musk’s right-wing allies and will sell his Tesla stocks. Friend has also decided not to buy a Tesla in the future. This is the common feeling among car buyers this is the reason why Tesla sales have dropped 35% in the four months since Trump’s election compared to the same period last year, according to data from Australia’s Electric Vehicle Council.

Unfortunately like the U.S. and Europe, Australia and New Zealand witnessed a growing case of vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships. In Tasmania, Australia, a Tesla store was vandalized with graffiti calling Musk a Nazi. 

Tesla’s sales numbers have been dwindling in New Zealand since last year according to the Motor Industry of New Zealand. In Auckland, a 52-year-old man was arrested in multiple cases of vandalism on Teslas. 

Why is Tesla losing ground globally?

Tesla’s global sales have plummeted, with a 76% drop in Germany, a 49% decline in China (February 2025), and a 65.5% decrease in Australia (first two months of 2025). Beyond the controversy surrounding Musk’s political ties, Tesla is struggling to keep up as competitors advance with newer technology and features. Chinese EV giant BYD has rapidly closed the gap and, in some markets, has even surpassed Tesla.