Tesla Model Y Becomes China’s #1 Premium SUV in 2021 in Historic Shift

Photo: Marc Urbano/Car And Driver

Tesla Model Y—the sales of which began in China in early 2021—continues to reach new milestones. In December and in 2021, the electric SUV became the best-selling premium SUV of all engine types in that country, accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy.

The sales figures for the Giga Shanghai-made Model 3 and Model Y for December and 2021 were impressive. In just the last month of the year, Tesla sold 70,847 cars. For the full year, factory sales reached a staggering 473,078 units, almost equal to the total production in 2020 at the company's two factories, in the United States and China respectively.

Model Y sales in China, as well as worldwide, continued to grow throughout the year. In December, 40,500 vehicles were registered, making it the best-selling premium SUV of the month in the country, according to data of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The list also includes cars with internal combustion engines. With a huge gap behind Tesla, Li ONE is in second place with 14,087 sales. Mercedes Benz GLC is third with 13,072 units.



Throughout the past year, Model Y has also ruled the Chinese automotive market. Tesla sold 169,853 Model Ys in 2021, making it the best-selling premium SUV of the year in China, regardless of engine type. In second place is the BMW X3 with 149,742 registrations. Third place was taken by Audi Q5 with 139,909 units. The electric crossover from Tesla surpassed the sales of X3 by more than 20,000 units, indicating a clear shift in interest towards the EV.

© 2022, Eva Fox | Tesmanian. All rights reserved.

_____________________________

We appreciate your readership! Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Article edited by @SmokeyShorts, you can follow him on Twitter

Follow @EvaFoxU