The sales share of the Tesla Model Y in Europe does not stop growing as does its production capacity. Now, the American SUV has temporarily conquered another large market, managing to position itself as the best-selling car in the United Kingdom in June.
June figures provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 5,539 units of the Tesla Model Y were sold in the UK last June, giving it the top spot ahead of models with a combustion engine, such as the Ford Puma, with 5,453, and the Opel Corsa with 4,146 units that also include the electric version of the compact.
Tesla is taking advantage of the good progress of electric sales in this market, which in June has accumulated a total of 31,700 100% electric units, 39.4% more than the same period last year.
Figures from the United Kingdom that are added to those achieved in other markets, such as China where Tesla has produced more than 93,000 units in a single month, and that are further consolidating the dominant position of the North American manufacturer in global sales of electric cars.
A dynamic that clashes with the one being followed by some of the main automobile groups, such as General Motors, Volkswagen, and Toyota.
This week, General Motors reported that its electric car sales were slipping. The Detroit giant sold just 15,652 electric cars in the second quarter of 2023, down from 20,670 in the first quarter, representing a 24% drop in sales.
Another that is seeing how sales freeze or recede, is Volkswagen. Given the weak demand for some of its main proposals, the brand has confirmed the reduction in the production rate in some of its main factories, or the delay in the launch of new proposals, such as the ID.7.
A lower demand than from Volkswagen has been attributed to the end of the aid programs in some markets, as well as the blow of the inflationary wave. Factors that, as we see, are not affecting all brands equally, which could indicate that Volkswagen’s problems lie more in its models and its proposal than a drop in demand.
Toyota for its part has later begun its commitment to the electric car, which seems to be destined to be fully incorporated into the next generation. Something for which it is developing a series of batteries that will allow them to catch up with their rivals.
At the moment the numbers are very modest, and during the first semester, the Japanese manufacturer produced just 8,000 electric cars, which represents only 0.19% of its total production.
