The Tesla Model Y took its place as China’s top-selling SUV last month. The all-electric crossover, which is produced in Gigafactory Shanghai, sold a total of 31,054 units in May 2023, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
From January to May, the Model Y achieved a total of 152,461 unit sales in the domestic market, marking an 87% increase year-over-year. This success is noteworthy considering the Model Y faces tough competition from local rivals in the premium all-electric crossover segment. Throughout the first five months of 2023, the Model Y maintained its position as China’s top-selling SUV, surpassing both electric and non-electric competitors.
The Model Y demonstrated continuous growth, with a month-over-month increase of 16% from April and a staggering 428% growth in domestic sales compared to the previous year. Following the Model Y in the rankings were the BYD Yuan Plus, which sold 26,072 units, and the BYD Song Plus, which sold 22,079 units in May.
These popular BYD vehicles also trailed behind the Model Y in China’s sales charts from January to May, with the BYD Song Plus recording sales of 149,485 units and the BYD Yuan Plus selling 117,531 units during that period.
Tesla’s other offering, the Model 3 sedan, also demonstrated strong sales performance in China’s domestic market. The Model 3 achieved retail sales of 11,454 units in May, representing a remarkable 189% year-over-year increase.
However, there was a 13.2% decline in sales compared to the previous month, as reported by CNEV Post. Nevertheless, the Model 3 showcased impressive overall sales figures from January to May 2023, with a total of 67,432 units sold, reflecting a 76% improvement year-over-year. These numbers establish the Model 3 as one of China’s top-selling premium sedans during this period.
These results are particularly noteworthy, considering that some consumers may be awaiting the highly-anticipated “Project Highland” update before making their domestic Model 3 purchases in China.
