The best-selling car globally in 2023 is an electric car?

Tesla’s New Year results may not be pleasing. It is no longer the world’s leading electric vehicle maker (overtaken by BYD). Its sales of pure electric vehicles (excluding plug-in hybrids, or PHEVs) in the fourth quarter of 2023 were also surpassed by its Chinese rival.

However, Tesla may have just set a record that is the most impressive in the electric car industry. Specifically, they may own the best-selling car model globally in all of 2023.

The Tesla Model Y mid-size SUV sold 1.23 million vehicles in the past 12 months, accounting for approximately two-thirds of Tesla vehicles sold globally.

This figure almost certainly ensures that the Tesla Model Y will be the world's best-selling car of the year, surpassing the best-selling engine-powered vehicle, the Toyota RAV4.

That record will be confirmed once sales figures from both sides are fully released, but it’s unlikely the RAV4 will catch up with its electric rival.

According to global vehicle data collection company Jato Dynamics, Toyota RAV4 will only sell 1.07 million vehicles in 2023 - a number far behind Tesla Model Y.

The success of the Tesla Model Y comes from the record price cut implemented by the parent brand earlier this year. After the discount, the Tesla Model Y is priced 18% and 23% lower than the average price of electric cars in Germany and the US, respectively.

This car model, which was previously out of reach for many ordinary customers, has now caught the attention of many customers with sales increasing by 64% compared to 2022.