Much has been said about Tesla’s performance in China in June. After a three-week shutdown through April and May, Giga Shanghai has roared back with a vengeance and last month set records for both production and deliveries.
One achievement that seems to have been lost among the record-setting figures was that for the first time ever the Model Y was the best selling passenger vehicle in China in June. That includes when being compared against cars with internal combustion engines (ICE) and cars priced much cheaper than the electric SUV.
According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) a total of 52,557 Model Ys were delivered across the country in June. As we have already told you, that was enough to put it at the top of the SUV sales chart, more than 20K units ahead of the second place BYD Song.
But it was also more than any other passenger car sold in June.
In the new energy vehicle (NEV) sedan segment, the Model Y outpaced the ultra-affordable Hongguang MINI (39,738), which has consistently outsold the electric SUV in the past with its low price of just ¥28,800 (~$5,500 CAD).
The Model Ys figures were also higher than any car in the general sedan segment, a list topped by the Nissan Sylphy at 45,767 units. The Model Y was also far ahead of the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and BMW 3 and 5 Series sedans.
The figures above are impressive and show Tesla’s growing strength in the world’s largest automotive market.
These numbers should also be increasing over the rest of the year as the factory will be shut down later this month for upgrades that will increase the factory’s production rate to over 1 million units per year.
They could also get a boost from a possible extension of subsidies on NEVs. The incentives are set to expire at the end of 2022 but the government is in discussions with automakers to extend the program beyond that date.
