USA September 2018

Tesla Model 3 Flood - 3rd Chapter

A record-shattering 44,589 plug-in units were registered last month in the USA, leading to a best ever PEV Share of 3.1%, with the 2018 count crossing over 234,000 units, and the 2018 PEV share climbing to a record 1.8%. 

These results were mostly thanks to the Tesla Model 3 deliveries, that once again shattered all records, by delivering over 22,000 units, the first time ANY plugin hits more than 20,000 units in one month, anywhere.

The remaining Tesla lineup also shined, making a 100% Tesla Podium last month, with the Model X delivering 3,975 units (its best result since 2016), while the veteran Model S delivered 3,750 units, a new Year Best performance and proof that despite the Model 3 being on the headlines, it can still pull out some interesting numbers. 

Looking elsewhere, there wasn't much to talk about, with no position changes in the Top 20, with the only changes being the Porsche Panamera PHEV and the BMW 330e(!) joining the ranking, in #19 and #20, respectively, with the BMW model scoring its best result (195 units)in six months.

Speaking of surprising performances, the Chevrolet Volt is back in action, registering 2,129 units, it's best result since 2016, while another PHEV scored a new Personal Best, with the Honda Clarity PHEV registering 2,028 units. 

Looking at the manufacturers ranking, Tesla has a gargantuan 47% share (Will it reach 50% this year?), while Chevrolet (11%) hangs on to Second Place, with Toyota (9%) close to the GM brand, while BMW is holding steady in Fourth, with 7% share.

Tesla Model 3 & Others

Pl	Model	2018 Sales
1	Tesla Model 3	78,150
2	Mercedes C-Class	42,253
3	BMW 3-Series	34,731
4	Audi A4	26,197
5	Infiniti Q50	26,180

Looking at the midsize premium car category, the Tesla Model 3 has the best Seller title in the bag, being the first time a plug-in becomes the yearly Best Seller in its overall category.

It was also the fifth time in a row that the Tesla sedan was the category Best Selling nameplate, which begs the question - "Will anyone be able to beat the Model 3 in the next years?". 

Also important to realize, is the fact that, with the exception of the Audi A4, all other Model 3 competitors are witnessing YoY drops, reinforcing the idea that the Tesla nameplate is stealing sales from the class best sellers.

Another question is if the Model 3 can reach the top places in the mainstream midsize car class,  with the record 22,250 deliveries of last month, the Tesla midsizer was Third last month, behind the Toyota Camry (27,640) and Honda Accord (25,357), while YTD it is #7, and could surpass in the coming months the #5 Kia Optima and #6 Hyundai Sonata.

But to go head to head against the leader Toyota Camry, the Tesla Model 3 needs the SR version production to be in full swing, so let's wait for next year to see how high the BEV poster-child can go.

Tesla Model S & Others

Pl	Model	2018 Sales
1	Mercedes E/CLS-Class	32,015
2	BMW 5-Series	31,181
3	Tesla Model S	17,431
4	Mercedes S-Class	10,334
5	Cadillac CTS	8,777

Looking at the large premium car category, the Tesla Model S held steady in Third Place, looking to retain its Bronze Medal.

Regarding the Model X, the Tesla SUV got a rare monthly win, with the 3,975 units from the Californian being enough to beat the competition, namely the Mercedes GLE (3,807 units) and the Audi Q7 (2,903), with both German models falling 17% YoY.