The Tesla Model Y topped the global new-car sales race last year – the first time an electric car has been the world’s top selling vehicle – but now we know by how much.
Data released by analytics firm JATO shows the Tesla Model Y clocked up 1.223 million sales versus the Toyota RAV4 tally of 1.075 million sales.
While Tesla Model Y demand has softened so far this year, it’s possible that could be indigestion from last year’s massive sales surge.
The Tesla Model 3 sedan also made it into the Top 10 – finishing 10th with 508,000 sales last year – ranking behind the Ford F-150 (623,000) and Toyota HiLux (605,000).
In Australia last year, the Tesla Model Y was ranked third in the passenger-car sales race (28,769 reported as sold) behind the Toyota RAV4 (29,627) and MG ZS (29,258).
However, when vehicles of all types are ranked, the Tesla Model Y finished sixth outright in the Australian new-car sales race last year after the Ford Ranger (63,356), Toyota HiLux (61,111) and Isuzu D-Max (31,202) rounded out the Top Three.
In a media statement JATO said the Tesla Model Y global tally in 2023 was an increase of 64 per cent compared with 2022 – an increase of 480,000 vehicles from the prior year.
The Tesla Model Y global sales total of 1.223 million was “a result achieved by no other manufacturer before”.
MORE: OUR MOST RECENT TESLA MODEL Y REVIEW
JATO says its data is based on a combination of actual sales numbers and estimations in some regions.
The data firm noted the Tesla Model Y secured its global top-seller status “without a presence in most emerging markets, where it continues to be unaffordable for the majority of consumers”.
“Tesla is a brand made for the developed world. While it cannot currently target these markets, there is potential for emerging markets to be explored as an additional source of growth in the future,” said JATO.
| Rank | Vehicle | Global sales (JATO) | Change from prior year |
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | 1,223,000 | Up 64 per cent |
| 2 | Toyota RAV4/Wildlander | 1,075,000 | Up 5 per cent |
| 3 | Honda CR-V/Breeze | 846,000 | Up 18 per cent |
| 4 | Toyota Corolla/Levin sedan | 803,000 | Down 19 per cent |
| 5 | Toyota Corolla Cross/Frontlander | 715,000 | Up 35 per cent |
| 6 | Toyota Camry | 650,000 | Down 2 per cent |
| 7 | Ford F-150 | 623,000 | Up 18 per cent |
| 8 | Toyota HiLux | 605,000 | Down 4 per cent |
| 9 | Nissan Sentra/Sylphy | 534,000 | Down 1 per cent |
| 10 | Tesla Model 3 | 508,000 | Up 5 per cent |
Joshua Dowling has been a motoring journalist for more than 20 years, most of that time with Fairfax (The Sydney Morning Herald), News Corp Australia (Herald Sun and News.com.au), and most recently Drive.com.au (owned by Nine Media). He is also a World Car of the Year judge, has won numerous journalism awards, and test drives up to 200 cars per year.
