Tesla closing in on Toyota as world’s most searched car brand

Tesla is rapidly gaining ground on Toyota, according to the latest Most Searched Cars report from Compare the Market Australia.

The annual report, using data from Google Trends across 155 countries, shows that Tesla continues to narrow the gap, with Toyota retaining its top spot as the most searched car brand in 64 countries, including New Zealand — a drop from 69 just two years ago.

Meanwhile, Tesla’s presence has grown significantly. The American electric vehicle giant climbed from being the most searched brand in 29 countries last year to 34 this year. If this trend continues, Tesla could surpass Toyota as the world’s most searched car brand by 2031, according to the report.

Chinese automaker BYD made its debut in the rankings, driven by the global success of its top-selling electric and hybrid vehicles. The brand claimed the number one spot in two countries—Uzbekistan and Nepal—marking a significant milestone for the emerging EV manufacturer.

The report also highlighted notable changes in the rankings. Lexus and Volvo have been completely knocked off the list for 2024, while Ford made a return after previously dropping out in 2022.