Tesla Inc.’s sales plummeted 62% last quarter in Germany, a development the outgoing economy minister sees as an opening for the nation’s beleaguered carmakers.

The US manufacturer registered 4,935 new vehicles during the first three months, just over a third of what it sold early last year, according to Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority. Sales plunged 43% in March after steeper declines in February in January.

Tesla’s factory outside Berlin was among the plants where the company changed over production lines during the quarter to build the redesigned Model Y, its most popular vehicle. In addition to dealing with that disruption, the manufacturer contended with Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s unpopular intervention in Germany’s federal election in February.

“The passion for Teslas has suffered greatly in recent weeks and months,” Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Thursday. “This is perhaps a good opportunity for the automotive industry in Germany — that a gap in the market unexpectedly has opened up here if they bring good, strong cars to market.”

Tesla’s decline last month contrasted with a 36% jump in industrywide registrations of new electric vehicles in Germany. The company announced Wednesday that its worldwide sales slumped in the first quarter to the lowest since 2022.

Tesla shares fell as much as 7.9% before the start of regular trading Thursday and have declined 30% this year.

With assistance from Kamil Kowalcze.