Tesla’s sales in Europe plummeted 40% in July – even as its Chinese rival BYD saw its sales triple.

It marked the seventh straight month of declines for Elon Musk’s automaker, which has continued to suffer from brand damage, a lack of enthusiasm over newer models and intense Chinese competition.

New car registrations of Tesla vehicles recorded a measly 8,837 in July, down 40% from the year before, according to European Automobile Manufacturers Association, or ACEA. 3

BYD, a Shenzhen, China-based electric vehicle-maker, hit 13,503 new registrations in the same month – a 225% jump from the previous year.

Tesla’s latest decline can’t be blamed on an industrywide slump, as overall sales of battery electric cars in Europe rose in July, according to the ACEA.

BYD has been able to win o

See Full Page