Tesla Model Y, Model 3 and Model S all top sellers in California as ICE sales fall

Three of Tesla’s electric cars – the Model Y, Model 3, and Model S – claimed the title of best-selling cars in their segments in California’s car market in the first half of 2022, with the Model Y claiming best selling vehicle overall.

The latest figures from the California New Car Dealer’s Association (CNCDA) showed the wider auto market suffered amid new car supply shortages that saw new car registrations fall by 18% in the first half.

But not so Tesla, which broke another production record in June despite the supply chain and logistics that continue to dog the automotive sector.

“While most brand registrations saw declines, both Tesla and Genesis were able to capture the windfall, indicating that California consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing alternative powered vehicles,” a report released by the CNCDA said on Monday (US time).

The Tesla Model Y – which just hit the Australian market with first deliveries last Friday – topped the luxury compact SUV segment, and with 43,320 units sold in the first half of 2022 was the best-selling SUV overall including both volume and premium segments.

The Tesla Model 3 topped the “near luxury” segment with 38,993 units sold – even beating the Toyota Camry by 34%, and by far the top seller in all passenger car segments.

The Model S also claimed its place, beating down the BMW 5-series in the luxury car segment. 5,791 new Model S hit the road in the first half of 2022, compared to half as many 5-series.

While the Model X did not gain a top place, it still claimed #4 place in the luxury mid-size SUV segment with 3,791 units sold.

While the CNCDA also makes mention of Hyundai luxury brand Genesis in regards ot rising registrations, it sold just 3,177 and placed 8th in the luxury car brand segment.

EV sales double, claiming 15% of market

With Tesla leading the charge, battery electric car sales are taking off in California.

Overall, there were 128,855 new battery electric cars registered in California – which is the world’s fifth largest economy – in the first half of 2022, accounting for a 15% of share of the broader auto market.

This equated to a 93% jump in battery electric car sales compared to the same period in 2021 (up from 7.8%). Meanwhile, purely fossil-fuelled car sales fell from 79% of the market to 70%, a 12% drop.

The chart below shows an upward trajectory for EVs in general, whilst interest in hybrids appears to be dropping and plug-in hybrids are fairly proving a no-show.

While Tesla hasn’t quite yet taken over Toyota’s place as most-bought brand, it certainly has it in its sights. Toyota saw a 20.3% drop in car sales in the first half of 2022 – more than the industry average.

In plain figures, Toyota sold 152,838 new cars in the first half, while Tesla sold 90,895 vehicles all told.