Oh yes, you read that right! The Tesla Model Y is now the most popular car on the planet, surpassing Japanese automaker Toyota in sales.
It’s now official: the Tesla Model Y is the most popular car internationally, according to preliminary global sales results by model series. The Californian automaker managed to dethrone Japanese giant Toyota, which held the top spot for centuries. The numbers come from HUNDREDone of the automotive expertise companies.
With 1.223 million units sold in 150 markets worldwide, an increase of 64% compared to last year, the Model Y won over consumers. The Toyota RAV4 SUV is in second place with 1.075 million units sold. Although Toyota places five models in the top 10, Tesla is the only manufacturer to have another vehicle on the list: the Model 3, which takes 10th place with 508,000 units sold.
In 2023, new car sales reached 78.32 million units, an increase of almost seven million units compared to 2022, representing an increase of 10%. Among the 25 best-selling models there are 13 Japanese models, 5 American, 3 Chinese and 2 each Korean and European. The three Chinese models are BYD.
A success that cannot be denied
After winning the title of the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2023, the Model Y also won first place in sales in the United States in 2024. The electric SUV in particular won the “ Index of American Manufacturing » 2024
Also, for the first time, sales of Chinese vehicles surpassed those of American brands. Sales in emerging markets even surpassed those in the US and Europe.
However, the Model Y may not retain its title as the world’s most popular vehicle for long. For what ? Subsidies to buy electric vehicles are falling almost everywhere, as in France, Great Britain et in Germany, For example. However, placing the first electric car at the top of global sales is a historic achievement for Tesla.