Tesla’s Model 3 overtakes BMW and Daimler in e-car sales after launch in Europe

The new Model 3 by US e-car pioneer Tesla has overtaken German car industry heavyweights Daimler and BMW in European e-car sales in the first month after the model’s launch on the continent, market research company JATO says. Posting a considerable increase in market volume of about 92 percent, about 20,000 e-cars were sold across 23 European countries since February 2019, out of which roughly 3,630 Tesla Model 3, the biggest figure for any e-car. The top seller is followed by the e-models Renault Zoe, Nissan Leaf and BMW i3, all of which sold less than 3,000 times. The Model 3 also outperformed combustion engine cars in the premium midsize segment, namely Daimler C-Klasse, Audi A4 and BMW3, the market researchers add. “As we’re seeing in the US, Tesla is also shaking up the European market. Its long-lasting impact will depend on how quickly the German premium makers (…) react (…) and how quickly they can bring in their own midsize electric cars,” said JATO’s Felipe Munoz.

Germany’s carmakers have been slow to pick up the trend towards electric vehicles in the past and reeled from the dieselgate scandal over manipulated car emissions but recently have come up with ambitious strategies to gain ground vis-à-vis its main competitors from East Asia and the US. Industry heavyweight Volkswagen recently said it would produce over 20 million e-cars in the next decade while Daimler and BMW mull joining forces and develop a joint e-car platform to save billions in costs. Economy minister Peter Altmaier urged German car companies to build a car “that’s at least half as sexy as a Tesla” to ensure customers are not wooed away by new market players.