The Tesla Model Y Becomes The Second Best-Selling Vehicle In The U.S.

The automotive market is more vibrant than ever, with a plethora of EVs and ICEs to choose from. Electric cars, in particular, are the hottest thing on the block right now, as they’ve been rapidly taking over the roads. Roughly, electric vehicles amounted to over 14 percent of global sales in 2022. The once barren and deserted land of EVs has been flourishing exponentially since 2017, and is expected to take over 18 percent of the global share market in 2023. It is estimated that this rapid ascension – which is enhanced by stout lobbying, governmental measures and diligent production efforts-will ultimately result in a 60% market share in the U.S., Europe, and China by 2030. This rapid revolution is currently being led by Tesla, which pioneered the industry a few years ago.

The Tesla Model Y became the most popular EV in the U.S., and the second most popular vehicle of any kind, behind the Ford F-150, which has been comfortably parked on top of the rankings for almost five decades. Despite being challenged in several areas, by a growing number of cheaper competitors such as the Ioniq 5, the Fisker Ocean, and the freshly renovated Chevy Blazer EV, the budget-friendly Tesla has managed to maintain its hegemony on the stacked electric market.

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The Model Y Recently Went Through Significant Price Cuts

In April, Tesla went on a generosity spree and began cutting prices for the Model 3 and Model Y. The former dropped to a starting price of $39,990 at the RWD trim-level, which saw its federal tax credit privilege drop by fifty percent due to the latest battery source requirement. On the other hand, the Tesla Model Y is part of a select few that remain fully eligible for the $7,500 tax credit, and across the entire line-up nonetheless. All three versions saw their price tag diminish in one swoop:

• Model Y AWD: from $49,990 to $46,990
• Model Y Long Range: from $52,990 to $49,990
• Model Y Performance: from $56,990 to $53,990

The company tacitly added $250 to the MSRPs in May, which didn’t stop the electric SUV from moving to the top of charts. Thanks to the previous discounts, as well as the prestige carried by the touted “T” logo, the Model Y became the second best-selling car in the U.S. for the first four months of 2023, with 127,541 units sold, according to the Experian and Automotive News. The addition of a cheaper Model Y, which was made in Texas and introduced the clientele to Tesla’s 4680 batteries, will definitely play a part in boosting those numbers even further. It’ll be interesting to see if the SUV reaches new heights in the upcoming months. As of now, the only competitor left in the US is the gas-powered, Ford-150 pickup, which still reigns supreme over the sales rankings, with 240,000 sales during the same time period.

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Tesla Model Y Is So Popular

The Tesla Model Y Is Also The Best-Selling Vehicle In Europe

Tesla’s popularity goes way beyond the confines of its homeland. According to Automotive News, the Model Y more than doubled in sales in Europe during the first quarter of 2023. The massive rise was due to a significant price reduction, coupled with an increase in local production efforts in Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin-Brandenburg. Tesla further justified its strategy in a statement, saying: “Our mission is to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Our masterplan has set a clear pathway to achieve that mission: the transformation of cost-intensive small-series products to cheaper mass-series vehicles.” As a result, the Model Y outsold every electric rival in Germany, France, Norway, Spain, and the UK, with over 66,000 copies. The electric SUV even dethroned the Dacia Sandero, which sold 56,030 units as well as the Peugeot 208 and the Volkswagen Golf, which had long been dominating the sales rankings.

Tesla Model Y Performance Specs

Even more astonishing, the Model Y became the best selling-vehicle in the world, of any kind, in the January -April period of 2023. After initially struggling to get past the Toyota Corolla and Toyota RAV4, which enjoyed the most commercial success in 2022, Tesla’s budget-friendly SUV went on to outclass every household vehicle at the beginning of this year. According to recent data, the Model Y secured the most sales, with 267,200 units worldwide. The achievement marks a historic milestone in the industry, as no EV has been able to dominate the global rankings, until now. These staggering numbers also represent a 69 percent increase from last year, and come to vindicate Elon Musk’s prophecy from back in 2021.

Related: The Real Reason Why Teslas Hold Their Value So Well

The Ford F-150 Remains The Most Popular Vehicle In The U.S… For Now

The Model Y has to defend its position against a stacked line-up of prominent EVs. The electric SUV is followed by its next-of-kin, the Tesla Model 3, which saw an 11-percent increase in sales, despite all the issues that surfaced over time. The $27,000 Chevy Bolt EV comes in third place, with 19,947 copies, and may or may not remain a threat, depending on whether GM decides to bring it back after 2023. The Volkswagen ID.4 however, is a serious menace that could soon find its way up, as it has already achieved an increase of 244 percent in sales since last year. The ID.4 is a well-balanced mixture of technology, practicality, and German elegance, and resides on the budget-friendly end of the market with a starting price of $40,290.

The Mustang Mach-E is another worthy opponent with serious potential, despite losing some steam in the first three months of the year, with a 19.7 percent decrease in sales since Q1 of 2022. The Mustang Mach-E recently came back with a reinvigorated aura, a fast-charging upgrade and an included 90-day free trial for the BlueCruise Driver Assist System. Ford increased the range of the Mach-E in May, the rear-wheel drive model now runs for 250 EPA miles, while the eAWD model offers 226 miles on a full charge. New LFP batteries have also been integrated into the Mach-E, which now offers 45 more horsepower as a result. The Ford-150, which dominates all vehicle categories in terms of sales, remains a tricky opponent however, as it is neither an EV, nor an SUV. The legendary truck has been the most popular choice in the U.S. for almost five decades now. However, with the rise of EVs, the fuel-powered Ford F-150 might eventually lose its appeal as its electric rivals keep asserting themselves on the scene.