The Tesla Model Y has now officially secured its place at the top of the global auto market for a third consecutive year, reinforcing its dominance not just among electric vehicles, but across all passenger cars.
The confirmation came from Tesla China, who posted on Weibo that the Model Y was the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2023, 2024, and 2025, based on data from firms including JATO Dynamics (2023), Statista (2024), and Focus2Move (2025).
The milestone comes alongside another major achievement—cumulative global deliveries of the electric SUV have now exceeded 4 million units.
While CEO Elon Musk had previously announced the accomplishment late last year, before final sales counts were known, the latest confirmation suggests finalized global sales data has now validated that claim, marking a rare feat for any vehicle, let alone a fully electric model that has only been offered for sale since 2021.
The Model Y first reached the top of global sales charts in 2023, becoming the first battery electric vehicle ever to outsell traditional internal combustion models like the Toyota Corolla and RAV4. It maintained that lead in 2024 and now 2025, despite growing competition, shifting market dynamics, and the coordinated launch of a refreshed model earlier in the year across the Tesla’s global factories.
Recent data suggests Tesla is regaining traction in China, one of its most important markets. In February 2026, Tesla’s retail sales in China climbed 43% year-over-year to 38,206 units, even as the broader auto market showed signs of slowing.
The Model Y was the primary driver behind that surge. Sales of the SUV jumped 216% compared to the same period last year, reaching 25,286 units. That also represented a more than 50% increase from January.
This rebound helped push Tesla’s share of China’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) market to 13.74%, its highest level in nearly two years.
Despite its global success, the Model Y is facing increasing competition, particularly in China. Domestic automakers continue to expand their offerings, and in January, Xiaomi’s YU7 SUV overtook the Model Y as the country’s best-selling EV that month.
To keep the Model Y competitive, Tesla released an updated ‘Juniper’ version last year, while also introducing new variants of the Model Y, including the extended wheelbase six-seat Model Y L, as well as Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variants with increased range.
