It appears as though Tesla fans in New Zealand couldn’t wait for the electric SUV to launch in the country. In the first full month the Model Y was available, it became New Zealand’s best selling vehicle, including when compared to cars and trucks with internal combustion engines (ICE).
According to sales data from New Zealand, a total of 1,520 Model Ys were registered in the country in September. The first Model Y was delivered in New Zealand in mid-August.
That was enough to put the electric SUV ahead of the second most popular vehicle, the Ford Ranger truck which accumulated 1,043 registrations during the same time period. In third place was another pickup truck, the Toyota Hilux (989). (via Driven)
In terms of other battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the second most popular in September was the BYD Atto 3 (221) and MG ZS EV (178).
The showing by the Model Y is not only impressive because it was the top selling car of any kind in New Zealand last month, but also because it was the most popular car in a country that loves pickup trucks, or ‘utes’ as they are referred to in that part of the world.
The Hilux and the Ranger are the two best selling vehicles in New Zealand so far through the first 9 months of the year.
Even though Tesla only introduced the Model Y in New Zealand in mid-August, the two weeks of deliveries of the electric SUV and regular sales of the Model 3 were enough to make Tesla the fourth most popular car brand in the country that month.
This popularity is not unexpected. Before the Model Y was introduced in the US, Elon Musk predicted it would become the best selling car in the world. Now two and a half years later and that prediction is close to becoming reality.
The Model Y is expected to become the best selling car in terms of revenue in 2022, and the best selling car overall in 2023.
