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Tesla sales are dropping like a rock in Europe based on early sales numbers coming for January 2025. Many are linking this to dissatisfaction with CEO Elon Musk’s meddling in European politics.

While there’s undoubtedly some of that going on, it’s not the only factor.

Several European countries release car sale numbers on a monthly basis.

When we compare Tesla’s performance to the same period last year, the American automaker is down in every single market, and it has delivered about half as many vehicles as last year:

Several media outlets are linking this sharp decline to a similar decline in the approval of Tesla CEO Elon Musk in those same markets.

They are sitting surveys that show Musk’s reputation is crashing in many of those markets after his meddling in politics, and the effect is trickling down to Tesla.

For example, a survey in Sweden showed that only 11% of the population had a positive view of Tesla (via Retuers):

The share of Swedes having a positive view of Tesla declined to 11% in a Novus survey conducted after Trump’s inauguration from 19% in a similar poll conducted Jan. 15-17, while those who said they had a negative view rose to 63% from 47%, TT reported.

While Elon Musk’s reputation is undoubtedly affecting Tesla’s sales, it’s not the only factor at play here.

Q1 is always more difficult for Tesla as it works to liquidate its inventory in Q4 to boost its financial performance at the end of the year. Tesla ends up having very little inventory to work with in the first quarter of every year.

However, that was also true of Q1 2023, which is the comparison above.

The other significant factor is the recently unveiled new Model Y. Tesla is currently transitioning its best-selling vehicle to the new design, which is affecting production and inventory.

Electrek’s Take

Either way, it does not look good for Tesla in Europe. 2024 was already a bad year, and now 2025 is off to a 50% decline to start.

I would expect the new Model Y is responsible for about half of that while Tesla’s struggling reputation, in large part due to Musk, is responsible for the rest of the decline.

Europe represented 325,000 deliveries for Tesla in 2024.

Where do you think 2025 will be? I think Tesla would be lucky to deliver 300,000 vehicles in Europe this year.

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Honda, Hyundai, Ford, and Kia EV sales climb in January

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Honda, Hyundai, Ford, and Kia EV sales climb in January

Several automakers, including Honda, Hyundai, Ford, and Kia, reported higher EV sales in the US in January. Here’s a look at some of the top-selling EV models (outside of Tesla) last month.

EV sales in the US by model in January 2025

With nearly 133,000 electric vehicles sold in December, EVs accounted for 8.8% of new car sales in the US, a new record.

According to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book, the strong end-of-year sales helped push total EV sales to 1.3 million in 2024, up 7.3% from 2024.

With Trump reportedly planning to end electric vehicle incentives, like the $7,500 federal tax credit, demand is expected to pick up as buyers look to lock in the savings before they disappear.

Several automakers reported US sales numbers for January, giving us a better idea of how the EV market is playing out.

Ford sold 5,666 EVs last month, up 21% and a new January record. The Mustang Mach-E had its best January with 3,529 models sold, up 173% from January 2024. It was the second best-selling electric SUV behind Tesla’s Model Y.

EV-sales-January
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)

Despite higher demand for the Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning sales slipped 15% to 1,907 units. Sales of Ford’s E-Transit electric van also fell 80%, with only 230 models sold last month.

Kia sold 1,542 EV6 models sold last month. However, sales of its three-row EV9 were down slightly (1,232 vs 1,408 in January 2023).

EV-sales-January
2025 Kia EV6 US-spec model (Source: Kia)

Sister company Hyundai notched double-digit sales growth with its popular EV models. As the upgraded 2025 model rolled out, Hyundai IONIQ 5 sales climbed 54%, with 2,250 units sold in January. Although IONIQ 6 sales were up 15% year over year (YOY), only 871 models were sold.

The biggest surprise, again, was Honda. Honda’s electric Prologue continued to take the US by storm with another 3,744 models sold last month.

EV-sales-January
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

After delivering the first models last March, the Prologue was the seventh best-selling EV in the US in 2024. Honda sold over 33,000 Prologue’s in the US in 2024, beating out the Chevy Equinox EV (28,874) and Rivian R1S (26,934).

GM doesn’t report monthly US sales numbers, so we’ll have to wait until April for quarterly sales for a comparison. Several others still have yet to report January US sales. Check back for the latest numbers.

Tesla doesn’t report monthly US sales numbers, but earlier today Electrek reported that the EV maker saw its first annual drop in sales in California last year.

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Canada announces plans for 25% tariff on electric vehicles coming from the US

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Canada announces plans for 25% tariff on electric vehicles coming from the US

Canada has confirmed that, as part of its effort to retaliate against the US over President Trump’s trade war against allies, it will impose a 25% tariff on electric vehicles from the US.

President Trump followed through with his threat to impose new 25% tariffs on all goods coming from Mexico and Canada, two countries with which he signed updated free trade agreements just a few years ago when he was president.

The reason Trump can impose those tariffs and break those free trade agreements is due to his use of “emergency power”, which he justifies because he claims Canada and Mexico are not doing enough to stop fentanyl from crossing the border into the US.

Facts do not support this.

Furthermore, when listening to Trump’s rhetoric around making Canada the “51st state” of the United States, it becomes clear that the real reason he is putting economic pressure on Canada is due to his wish to expand US territory as part of some ego-driven legacy-building agenda.

Regardless, we are now in the middle of a North American trade war started by the US president, and Canada has issued its response.

Canada will implement a 25% tariff on $30 billion in goods imported from the U.S. starting on Tuesday, February 4th.

The government is also working on a much more severe second wave of 25% tariffs on an additional list of imported U.S. goods worth $125 billion. This list is currently subject to public commentary for 21 days before being implemented, but it currently includes:

“Passenger vehicles and trucks, including electric vehicles, steel and aluminum products, certain fruits and vegetables, aerospace products, beef, pork, dairy, trucks and buses, recreational vehicles, and recreational boats.”

Considering most electric vehicles in Canada come from the US, this is likely going to greatly slow down EV adoption in the country.

Furthermore, several EV incentives were recently phased out – further accelerating the decline in EV growth.

Electrek’s Take

This is going to be a nightmare for EV adoption in Canada. I think this is an opportunity to revisit the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Canada imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, mostly to help protect the US EV industry. Now that the US has become hostile, it makes no sense to protect it. Let the Chinese EVs flow, which will help keep some momentum in EV adoption in Canada.

I know that many Canadians don’t want to help Tesla anymore because they see Elon Musk as controlling Trump, but Tesla is likely already looking to import EVs into Canada from Berlin to circumvent the tariffs.

I am sure that Tesla prefers this current situation over having to import EVs from China again and compete with Chinese automakers in the Canadian market.

I think everyone wins except for American automakers, who should put pressure on the Trump administration to end this senseless trade war.

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Hyundai opens IONIQ 9 pre-orders in South Korea starting at just $41,000

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Hyundai opens IONIQ 9 pre-orders in South Korea starting at just ,000

Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV is officially on the market. On Monday, Hyundai opened IONIQ 9 pre-orders in South Korea, starting at around $41,000 with incentives. The flagship electric SUV can seat six people and has a driving range of up to 330 miles.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 pre-orders open in Korea

After what felt like an endless wait, Hyundai finally unveiled its larger electric SUV — the IONIQ 9 — at the LA Auto Show last November. Less than three months later, the flagship EV is officially available to order in Korea.

Hyundai opened IONIQ 9 pre-orders in its home market on Monday. The IONIQ 9 seven-seater configuration starts at 67.15 million won, or around $45,800.

With incentives, Hyundai expects the actual purchase price of the basic seven-seater trim to be around 60 million won, or roughly $41,000.

The IONIQ 9 is available in six and seven-seat setups, each with three trim options: Exclusive, Presige, and Calligraphy.

Prices for the seven-seat model range from 67.15 million won ($45,800) to 77.92 million won ($53,100). The six-seater configuration starts at 69.03 million won ($47,000), while the range-topping Calligraphy is 79.41 million won ($54,100).

Hyundai IONIQ 9 trim Starting Price
(South Korea)
7-seater Exclusive
(with incentives)
60 million won ($41,000)
7-seater Exclusive 67.15 million won ($45,800)
7-seater Prestige 73.15 million won ($50,000)
7-seater Calligraphy 77.92 million won ($53,100)
6-seater Exclusive 69.03 million won ($47,000)
6-seater Prestige 74.64 million won ($51,000)
6-seater Calligraphy 79.41 million won ($54,100)
Hyundai IONIQ 9 starting prices by trim in South Korea

Hyundai offers four-seat setups. The six-seater setup is offered with premium relaxation seats, swivel seats, or a dynamic body care seat. Or, you can opt for the seven-seat model, which features a 6:4 folding seat.

Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform with a 110.3 kWh battery, the IONIQ 9 is rated for up to 532 km (330 miles) driving range in Korea.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-pre-orders
Hyundai IONIQ 9 (Source: Hyundai)

Turning possibilities into reality

At 5,060 mm (199.2″) long, 1,980 mm (78″) wide, and 1,790 mm (70.5″) tall with a wheelbase of 3,130 mm (123″), the IONIQ 9 is slightly bigger than Kia’s three-row EV9 (5,010 mm long x 1,980 mm wide x 1,755 mm tall x wheelbase of 3,100 mm).

Inside, the flagship SUV is packed with Hyundai’s latest software and connectivity tech. A panoramic curved display with dual 12.3″ driver display and infotainment screens are the highlight of a relatively minimalistic cabin.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-pre-orders
Hyundai IONIQ 9 (Source: Hyundai)

With a 400/800V “multi-ultra-fast charging system,” the IONIQ 9 can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes using a 350 kW charger.

It’s available with rear-wheel (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain setups. The RWD model has a single rear motor that can produce up to 160 kW and 350 Nm of maximum torque.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-pre-orders
Hyundai IONIQ 9 interior (Source: Hyundai)

The cruising AWD model has max output of up to 226 kW and 605 Nm max torque, while the performance AWD version boasts 315 kW max output and 700 Nm max torque.

A Hyundai Motor official said, “We expect that a new electrification experience that turns possibilities into reality will be unfolded through the IONIQ 9, the flagship model of the electrified brand IONIQ.”

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-pre-orders
Hyundai IONIQ 9 interior (Source: Hyundai)

The spokesperson added that the new electric SUV stands out with “the best-in-class driving range and cutting-edge safety and convenience features.”

For those in the US, get ready. Following its domestic launch, Hyundai will open IONIQ 9 pre-orders in the US. The larger model will be built alongside the updated 2025 IONIQ 5 at Hyundai’s new EV plant in Georgia.

Like the new IONIQ 5, it will even include an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers. Check back soon for prices and additional specs. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.

Source: Hyundai

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