The Tesla Model Y claimed the top spot in sales in the German vehicle market in September, according to sales figures reported by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
While Tesla has achieved best-selling status monthly in other countries like Norway, accomplishing this in Germany is significant as the American company competes with established German car manufacturers on their home turf.
In September, Tesla delivered 9,848 Model Y crossovers in Germany, making it the best-selling vehicle in the country for that month. The Model Y outpaced the perennial favorite Volkswagen Golf, which achieved just over 7,000 deliveries in September. Additionally, deliveries of the German Model 3 totaled 3,878 units in September.
Tesla has been looking to increase sales volume in Europe with its Giga Berlin factory, announced by the automaker in 2019. The first cars from this factory, located on the outskirts of the German capital, were delivered in March.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk foresaw the Model Y becoming a global sales success in 2022, and this point is proving true. Tesla has arguably taken a significant share of the market previously held by German premium brands. It surpassed a market share of 10% in California in the fourth quarter of 2021, and nearly one-third of U.S. electric vehicle buyers are opting for a Model Y.
Fleet buyers now also represent a significant portion of Tesla’s sales. Subscription service Autonomy and Hertz are among the companies contributing to Tesla’s leadership in electric vehicle sales. Established automakers typically discount fleet sales, considering them less important than retail sales. It’s unclear if Tesla or its supporters are making that distinction.
