As many as seven in every 10 cars sold by Tesla in the US – its largest market – are Model Y, according to data from a major Tesla aftermarket accessory retail site.
The new report suggests that Tesla boss Elon Musk was right on the money when he said he believed that the Model Y would out-do Model 3, Model S and Model X sales combined.
The Tesla Model Y electric crossover was launched in March 2020, one year after its first unveiling – but to date there are no official sales numbers as Tesla combines Model 3 and Model Y sales in its quarterly reporting.
But new information from Evannex, which sells aftermarket accessories for Tesla vehicles in the US, suggests it is already doing exactly what Musk predicted.
In a report from Cleantechnica, Evannex co-founder and president Matt Pressman said the company has noted that people mostly buy accessories for shortly before and after they take delivery of the vehicle.
Notably, he told Cleantechnica that recent orders are for Model Y aftermarket products about 70% of the time.
Zach Shahan, who reported on the Evannex sales data, said he also had an anecdotal confirmation from a Tesla showroom representative that seven in 10 “sounds about right”.
While it is not exactly scientific evidence, it is not outside the realms of possibility – the Model Y, until the recent 2021 Model 3 refresh was announced, was the only Tesla vehicle with the highly efficient heat pump.
It also boasts superior flexible roominess and accessibility in a way that the Model 3 will never, because of its rear hatch opening as opposed to the Model 3’s boot, and second row foldable seats.
While the new 2021 Model 3 upgrade may entice more customers back to the Model 3 (if Evannex’s suggestion proves correct), the Model Y is yet to roll out to overseas markets.
It is expected to be the focus of production at the new Berlin gigafactory, which is slated for completion in mid-2021 at which time it will start pumping out Model Y crossovers en masse using eight massive casting machines.
Tesla’s Shanghai Model Y factory is also nearing completion, with the EV maker recently gaining approval from the Chinese authorities to market and sell the electric crossover.
The Model Y is not yet available for order in Australia.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.