Tesla Model 3 becomes Europe's best-selling car

Last month, sales of the Tesla Model 3 overtook the Volkswagen Golf for the first time to elevate the pure-electric mid-size sedan as Europe's best-selling car.

During September, Tesla sold a total of 24,591 Model 3 EVs, helping the Californian-based brand to carve a 2.6 per cent total market share.

In the process, the Model 3 not only became the first EV to take the number-one spot, but the Tesla sedan also made history as the first best-selling car to top the charts that wasn't made within the European region.

This coincides with a switch in sourcing of the Model 3 this year from the US to China, as has been the case in Australia, where Tesla's top-selling EV was recently named carsales' Best Electric Car for 2021.

Marking year-on-year growth of 58 per cent for Tesla, the Model 3 was followed by the Renault Clio, Dacia Sandero and then the Volkswagen Golf.

In the specific pure-electric vehicle segment, the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y ranked first and second place respectively, with the Volkswagen ID.3 trailing in third.

The strong result for Tesla has been attributed to an "intensive end-of-quarter sales push" by the brand, say industry experts.

Following a trend dating back to 2018, September has typically been a crucial month for Tesla where it usually accounts for as much as 68 per cent of all its registrations.

Whatever the reason, the strong sales performance bodes well for the car-maker ahead of the opening of its European gigafactory in Gruendheide near Berlin in Germany.

Despite conflict concerning planning and environmental failings with the local regional government, Tesla is confident production will begin before the end of this year.