China’s BYD Outsells Tesla in Europe for First Time

BYD of China sold more electric cars than Tesla in Europe for the first time last month, reflecting an aggressive push by the Chinese automaker on the continent as well as the continuing travails of Elon Musk’s company among European buyers.

BYD edged out Tesla by fewer than 100 vehicles, according to veri for 28 European countries released on Thursday by JATO Dynamics, a research firm. BYD sold 7,231 fully battery-powered cars in Europe last month, versus Tesla’s 7,165.

Despite the small margin, it is “a watershed moment for Europe’s car market,” Felipe Munoz, an analyst at JATO, said in a statement. European car buyers appear willing to embrace Chinese electric cars, which remain cheaper than locally made alternatives despite tariffs imposed by the European Union last year aimed at protecting domestic producers.