Tesla’s bad first quarter is turning into a bad year as the company’s sales in Europe dropped to a 15-month low even as the rest of the industry rebounds.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, Tesla sold 13,951 vehicles in April, marking a 2.3% decrease from last year and its lowest sales figure in the region since January.

The disappointing number comes after Tesla reported lower-than-expected sales in its first-quarter report. While the company cited logistical issues as the main cause of the sales slump, experts pointed to slowing demand and increased foreign competition.

The company also reported slowing shipments in China, where other electric vehicle manufacturers are seeing a surge in popularity.

Overall, the EV industry rebounded after a relatively disappointing start to 2024. Overall, EV sales rose 14% in April, making Tesla’s slowdown an outlier.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk tried to assuage any fears that the company was slipping, saying he expected the company to fare much better down the line.

The latest Tesla sales announcement came on the heels of the company saying it’s laying off 10% of its global workforce.

Earlier this month, Tesla eliminated the entirety of its Supercharger and public policy teams and its leaders. Those employees were responsible for making Tesla’s charging port the standard in the industry and securing significant federal funds for the expansion of Tesla’s charging network.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.