Tesla has recorded its strongest sales month in Australia in nearly a year. The boost in sales is thanks largely to the launch of the refreshed Model Y.
According to the latest figures from the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), Tesla delivered 3,897 vehicles in May 2025, a large increase from just 500 in April.
Leading the surge was the new Model Y, which accounted for 3,580 of those sales—up 123% from the 1,609 units sold in May 2024. This marks the best month for the Model Y since June 2024 and its best May performance in two years, according to Drive.
The new Model Y’s arrival in Australian showrooms was highly anticipated, with some Tesla Delivery Centers reportedly handing over 70 to 100 new units daily following their arrival from China.
Despite the strong May sales, Tesla’s year-to-date figures remain well below 2024 levels. At the end of May, Tesla has sold 9,557 vehicles in Australia—down 48% compared to the same period last year. The Model Y is down just 27.4% year-to-date, while the Model 3 sedan continues to underperform, with sales falling 71% to 2,583 units. In May, only 317 Model 3s were delivered.
Model | Jan-May 2024 | Jan-May 2025 | Change |
Model 3 | 8,823 | 2,583 | -70.7% |
Model Y | 11,610 | 6,974 | -39.9% |
Total | 20,433 | 9,557 | -53.2% |
Tesla’s slow start in 2025 in Australia was largely due to limited stock from China as the company retooled Giga Shanghai to prepare for new versions of the Model Y. There was of course the backlash from Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s participation in U.S. politics and his close association to President Donald Trump that has likely had an effect on sales down under, so it remains to be seen if this momentum will continue through the rest of the year.
One thing that could help boost sales in the launch of Full Self-Driving (FSD). Tesla released its first video showcasing FSD operating on Melbourne streets, including a complex hook-turn. The company later said there are no regulatory barriers, like in other markets, to releasing FSD in Australia.