Tesla Model Y EV was the world’s top-selling vehicle in 2023
Tesla’s battery-powered SUV overtook the Toyota Corolla and RAV4 to claim number-one position worldwideThe Tesla Model Y was the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2023, with earlier indicators suggesting the US car-maker sold more than 1.23 million examples of the battery-electric mid-size SUV during the calendar year.
Already named the top seller in both Europe and China last year, preliminary data released by JATO shows that the Model Y has also claimed the number-one spot worldwide, with sales up 64 per cent on average across all markets.
In 2022, the Toyota Corolla dominated the global sales charts, but had to make do with third place last year, managing 1.01 million units, according to JATO.
Second place went to the Toyota RAV4, commanding 1.07 million sales as demand exceeded supply in Australia and other countries, although it was still a long way off meeting Tesla’s performance.
The Tesla Model Y now accounts for every two out of three Tesla deliveries.
With the US brand only 20 years old, Tesla has become a force to be reckoned with, although some of its success last year was attributed to aggressive pricing moves.
“The average retail price of a Tesla Model Y in November 2023 was 18 per cent and 23 per cent lower than the average cost of an EV in Germany and USA respectively,” said JATO Dynamics global analyst Felipe Munoz.
“The price cuts over the course of the year combined with Tesla’s reputation as a reliable and competitive EV manufacturer, helped to fuel already high demand.
“As a result, Tesla is front of mind for many consumers looking to purchase an EV.”
In Australia, the Model Y was the top-selling EV in 2023 with 28,769 sales (+230%), followed by the Tesla Model 3 on 17,347 units (+59.5%).
However, the Model Y was narrowly beaten by the Toyota RAV4 and MG ZS in the passenger car/SUV segments combined, and was also well behind the three best-selling utes – the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-MAX.
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