For the first time, the Tesla dethroned the Toyota Corolla as the world's best-selling car. But the milestone does not stop there, it is even more relevant if you take into account that it is the first time that a 100% electric car is the number one in global vehicle sales.
The dethroned Corolla had been number one for years. However, it was now in second place, with 256,400 units. And the Tesla Model moved into the top spot with the departure of 267,200 vehicles, according to data from consultancy JATO Dynamics for 53 markets around the world.
The milestone becomes even more relevant if you take into account that in the US the Tesla is worth US $ 52,000 and the Corolla almost half, about US $ 23,000.
Already in August 2022, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, had said – at the annual meeting of shareholders – that the Model Y would become the most popular new vehicle in the world by 2023.
According to experts and analysts, the electric could maintain that place all year round. The Tesla Model Y had already surpassed another mark when in Europe it dethroned the Dacia Sandero as the best-selling car.
However, the Corolla continues to maintain a good performance globally, but the cause of its arrival in second place is mainly due to the fact that its sales fell by 29% in China; and in the United States, another of its strong markets, it registered a loss of 10%, compared to the first quarter of 2022.
According to M1, the model of the company led by Elon Musk stood out mainly in China, which was its most important market, in addition to achieving a good commercial performance in the United States (increased its sales by 68%) and Europe, where it was the best-selling model.
The electric had finished third in the world ranking last year, but in the first quarter of 2023, it recorded 69% more sales.
The third place in the ranking went to another Toyota: the Hilux, produced in plants such as the Buenos Aires de Zárate (for the local market and export to Latin America). There were 214,700 units patented in the world in the first three months of 2023.
The Japanese brand covered most of the report, with the presence of the RAV4, the SUV of the C segment that includes the hybrid versions that reach the Argentine market. It was fourth after reaching 211,000 units in the world between January and March of this year.
Fifth place, according to the JATO Dynamics report, went to the Toyota Camry. The largest sedan of the brand in Argentina, sold 166,200 units in the world.
However, the Japanese company continues to be the number one manufacturer on the planet with a wide range of vehicles that includes more than 15 models. And it is also the best-selling brand in the world, thanks to its best-known models.
SN
