Tesla car sales in May were sharply lower in France and other European countries. That is a sign of a global problem the company faces.

Tesla's sale of new cars in Norway skyrocketed 213% in May from a year ago, bucking a downward trend across Europe. Elon Musks U.S. electric vehicle maker has suffered from a sharp decline in European sales amid reputational damage.

Tesla Inc.’s new-vehicle registrations fell further in France, undercutting Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s assertion last month that the carmaker has recovered from its early-year sales slump.Most Read from BloombergBillionaire Steve Cohen Wants NY to Expand Taxpayer-Backed FerryWhere the Wild Children’s Museums AreNow With Colorful Blocks,