Tesla Model Y is on course to take the crown for the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2023. Despite only being founded in 2003, Tesla has sparked a seismic shift in the automotive landscape, creating an electric model that has outperformed its counterparts and broken records to become the first EV to lead the global market.
Related: Tesla Model Y Overtakes Toyota Corolla to Become World’s Bestselling Car in Q1, 2023
While a small number of markets are yet to release their sales figures for 2023, preliminary data collected by JATO Dynamics indicates that the Model Y is in an unassailable position, with 1.23 million units sold between January and December 2023 – marking a 64% increase year-on-year.
Model Y Dominance
The Model Y led the way for sales in both Europe and China, the world’s two largest EV markets. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), more than 456,000 units were shipped to China in 2023 – marking an increase of 45% from 2022. In Europe, registrations of the Model Y soared with more than 255,000 units of the Model Y registered – this is 19,000 units more than the second most popular vehicle, the Dacia Sandero. Additionally, according to Tesla’s official delivery data, two out of every three OEM deliveries in 2023 were of the Model Y.
Toyota Dethroned
According to the preliminary data, 2023 will mark the end of Toyota’s top position in the model ranking, with the RAV4 and Corolla having led the global rankings in recent years. While Toyota has a strong presence worldwide, both the RAV4 and Corolla lack pure electric options, and only offer hybrid alternatives. While Toyota still experienced a strong year in 2023, the RAV4 and Corolla are simply unable to compete in the electric car market, which is becoming increasingly established and important across Europe and China.
Despite this, the second best-selling vehicle in 2023 is set to be the Toyota RAV4, with 1.07 million units sold globally – up from 1.02 million units in 2022, when it led the global market. Toyota Corolla (including its all iterations) secured third place in the rankings, according to the preliminary data.
It is pertinent to mention that the data accounts for global light vehicle sales in 2023, with all larger markets covered (including the US, Europe, China, and India). The remaining market data will be published by JATO during Q2 2024.
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The data has been collated from North America, Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Korea, Russia, Turkey, Israel, Japan, Taiwan, South Africa, Philippines. Also included is data from the largest markets in Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay), and some in Southeast Asia (Indonesia and Vietnam). Figures for the Middle East (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen), North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia), Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and Pakistan are preliminary, with forecasts of December 2023 based on existing data.
Source: JATO Dynamics
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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