Tesla Model 3 makes inroads

The new Tesla Model 3 was not only the most sold EV worldwide, it was the most sold car in the US mid and luxury segment, and the fourth best sold car in September.

That’s according to EV world sales database EV-volumes in its third quarter and year-to-date report.

It says that thanks to Model 3 third quarter deliveries, some 232,500 plug-in vehicles have been delivered in the US in the first nine months of 2018 – up 63% on the same time last year.

About 63% were BEV and 37% were PHEV.

“For 2018, we expect total plug-in sales to reach around 365,000 units this year, 82% higher than 2017,” EV-volumes says.

“The plug-in share is likely to reach 2.1 %, which is getting the US closer to other larger car markets in terms of share. For this year we expect Tesla to stand for half of USA plug-in volume and, counting BEVs only, three out of four will be from Tesla. The population of EVs in the USA has reached one million units.”

Tesla is not just shaking up the plug-in vehicle sector, according to EV-volumes. “The Model-3 has become a very desirable alternative to well established competitors. A clear break-through and, deeming by the Tesla Q3 financial result, it can be done at a profit.”

In August and September, the Model 3 was among the top five best selling cars of all categories, including internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, with volumes approaching ubiquitous mid-size cars like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

In the segment with similar size, performance and price (entry luxury or mid-luxury) the Model 3 stood for half of September sales. It sold more than the BMW 3 and 4 Series, Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4/A5, Acura TSX and all others combined, EV-volumes reports.

“It can be added that the Model 3 has been the world’s best-selling plug-in for the last four months.”

Globally, 2018 is going to be another great year for plug-ins, EV-volumes says. “About 783,000 units were delivered during H1 2018, a gain of 66% over the same period last year. Preliminary results for July show an increase of 53% over July 2017. China stands for 51% of the global volume, so far, and reached a peak share of 4.8% plug-ins in the world’s largest car market.”

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) stand for 64% of the global volume, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) for 36%.

“It is safe to predict that global sales of plug-in vehicles will surpass the two million mark this year.”

Tesla is the most popular car brand search in the US on Google and is also the favourite in New Zealand.

Visit www.ev-volumes.com for more information.