FRANKFURT, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Tesla sold almost

60% fewer cars in Germany in January than in the year-earlier

period, as the U.S. electric vehicle maker faces a test of

popularity amid headline-grabbing political involvement by its

billionaire CEO Elon Musk.

German road traffic agency KBA's website on Wednesday showed

the number of newly registered Tesla cars fell 59.5% to 1,277 in

January, while the overall German market was down just 2.8% at

slightly more than 207,000 vehicles during the month.

The overall segment of battery-electric vehicles, where

Tesla is competing, however, gained popularity in January, with

sales up 53.5% at almost 34,500 vehicles across all brands.

KBA did not give reasons for the developments in car sales.

Car registration data in Sweden and Norway earlier this week

also showed that Tesla lost market share there in January.

A total of 405 new Teslas were registered in Sweden last

month, down 44% from January 2024, while registrations in Norway

fell to 689, a decline of 38% over the same period, despite

soaring overall demand for cars in the two countries.

In addition to his strong backing for U.S. President Donald

Trump, Musk has also voiced polarising opinions on politics in

Europe and beyond, drawing criticism from European capitals,

including Norway's prime minister and Germany's chancellor.

Musk, who also runs the X social media platform, has

dismissed criticism against him as an affront to democracy and

free speech.