FRANKFURT -- German new-car sales fell 11 percent to 239,943 in February as private customers stayed away from showrooms.
Registrations from private buyers dropped 16 percent while sales to business customers were down 7.8 percent, according to data released by the KBA motor transport authority on Wednesday.
Sales of Tesla's electric cars fell 37 percent. The electric-car maker had been gaining volume last year following the launch of the Model 3.
Other brands that saw steep drops included Smart, which fell 81 percent after the brand became electric-only and dropped its gasoline and diesel cars.
Also seeing large declines were Honda, down 39 percent; Dacia, down 37 percent; Opel, down 21 percent; Audi, down 20 percent and Ford, down 19 percent.
Germany's top-selling brand, VW, saw its sales drop by 11 percent.
Mercedes-Benz registrations fell 3.3 percent and BMW sales were down 1.2 percent.
Download PDF here for German registrations by brand in February
Among brands which saw big volume rises were Lexus, up 71 percent; Volvo, up 25 percent; Seat, up 23 percent and Porsche, up 19 percent.