The Tesla Model Y is on course to take the crown for the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2023, with the car securing the top spot across the majority of global markets.
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 percent increase year-on-year.
The Model Y led the way for sales in both Europe and China, the world’s two largest electric vehicle 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 per cent from 2022.
In Europe, registrations of the Model Y soared above consistently high performers such as the Dacia Sandero, Peugeot 208, and Volkswagen T-Roc.
Data from 30 markets shows that more than 255,000 units of the Model Y were registered – this being 19,000 units more than the second most popular vehicle, the Dacia Sandero.
However, the Tesla Model Y was the twelfth best-selling car in Ireland last year with 2,220 units sold. It was also the second most popular EV here in 2023, behind the Volkswagen ID.4 (2,922 ).
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.
Despite this, the second best-selling vehicle in 2023 is set to be the Toyota RAV4, with 1.07 million units currently sold globally - up from 1.02 million units in 2022, when it led the global market.
With all body-types included, Toyota’s Corolla occupied third place in the rankings, according to the preliminary data.
In Ireland, Toyota closed out 2023 as the county’s best-selling car brand for the third consecutive year. Toyota sold 16,532 cars in 2023 – 3,164 more than the next best-seller – with a market leading share of 13.57 percent.
