Key Takeaways
- Tesla's (TSLA) vehicle registrations in Portugal plummeted by 48.5% in July 2025, registering only 284 new cars, despite the overall Portuguese light electric vehicle market growing by approximately 9.5% in the same month.
- For the first seven months of 2025, Tesla's new vehicle registrations in Portugal fell 27.4% to 4,372 units, contrasting sharply with the broader electric car market's 27.2% increase over the same period.
- US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly expected to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make concessions regarding the stalled hostage deal with Hamas, following meetings in Jerusalem and a planned visit to Gaza aid centers.
- The decline in Tesla's (TSLA) sales in Portugal highlights increasing competition from Chinese and European electric brands offering more affordable or regionally tailored models, coupled with reported issues concerning delivery delays and customer service in parts of Europe.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly poised to exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to facilitate concessions in the ongoing hostage negotiations with Hamas. This development follows Witkoff's meetings with the Israeli premier in Jerusalem and his scheduled visit to aid distribution centers in Gaza. The discussions aim to restart stalled talks, with both US and Israeli leaders previously attributing the impasse to Hamas's inflexibility. Witkoff's visit comes amid mounting international pressure on Israel to agree to a ceasefire and allow increased humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Meanwhile, Tesla (TSLA) is experiencing a significant downturn in its Portuguese market performance, with new vehicle registrations dropping by a substantial 48.5% in July 2025 compared to the previous year. The electric vehicle manufacturer registered only 284 new cars in Portugal during the month, according to data from the country's automobile industry association ACAP. This sharp decline is particularly notable as the overall market for light electric vehicles in Portugal saw a growth of approximately 9.5% in July.
The sales slump for Tesla (TSLA) in Portugal is not an isolated incident, with year-to-date figures showing a 27.4% decrease in registrations for the first seven months of 2025, totaling 4,372 units. In stark contrast, the broader Portuguese electric car market has expanded by 27.2% over the same period. This widening gap suggests a clear loss of momentum for the American automaker in the region. Analysts point to several potential factors influencing this trend, including rising competition from other automakers offering more affordable or locally supported models, particularly from Chinese and European brands that have been gaining traction across Europe. Additionally, Tesla (TSLA) has faced growing criticism over delivery delays and customer service issues in some parts of Europe, which may be impacting buyer confidence. The situation indicates that while Tesla remains a dominant global EV player, it is not immune to regional setbacks, raising concerns about its adaptation to shifting market dynamics in different countries.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.