Tesla Model Y is Europe’s most popular new car

The Peugeot 208 was the most popular new passenger car in Europe in 2022, but whether the little Frenchman will win that title again this year remains to be seen. Last year’s European number two – the Dacia Sandero – may also fear for its position. In the first quarter of this year, the Tesla Model Y proved to be by far the most popular new car. This is evident from figures from Jato Dynamics.

In the first quarter of this year, 3.22 million new passenger cars were registered in the European Union, according to Jato Dynamics, 17 percent more than in the same quarter last year. March in particular had a large share in this. Last month, 1.41 million new passenger cars were registered in the EU, more than a quarter more than in March last year (1.12 million). This strong increase in the number of deliveries is probably mainly due to the fact that importers and manufacturers are rapidly eliminating the accumulated shortages. The Tesla Model Y was not only the most popular new electric car last quarter, but also the most popular car overall.

Most popular new passenger cars

In the first three months of 2023, 71,683 Tesla Model Y units were registered in the European Union. That is no less than 173 percent more than in the first quarter of last year. The ever-popular Dacia Sandero – the most popular new passenger car in Europe after the Peugeot 208 last year – finished in second place with 60,202 units, well behind the Model Y. Yet the Sandero also had a top quarter. The third place is for the Volkswagen T-Roc, of which 54,960 units were registered, 50 percent more than in the first quarter of 2022. The Peugeot 208 – Europe’s most popular new car last year – finished in fourth place in the first quarter. With 54,336 registered units, the Peugeot brother of the Opel Corsa recorded a modest growth of 3 percent to its name. Speaking of the Corsa: it is close behind the 208. With 53,307 copies delivered, the Stellantis stable mate is only 29 units behind the 208. More than 38 percent more were registered last quarter than in the same period last year.

Top 10 new passenger cars in Europe – Q1 2023

Most popular electric cars

It will come as no surprise that the Tesla Model Y was also the electric car with the most new units registered in Europe in the first quarter of this year. As expected, the success of the Tesla Model Y is at the expense of the Model 3. In the past quarter, 40 percent fewer copies were registered than in the same period last year. The Model 3 ended at 19,621 units and, despite the huge difference compared to the Model Y, is still good for second place in the EV ranking. The Volkswagen ID3 is in second place with 17,316 units, followed by the Volkswagen ID4. The Dacia Spring takes fifth place. Interesting is the success of the MG 4 Electric and Renault Megane E-Tech Electric entering the top 10.

In total, 430,700 new electric cars were registered in Europe in the first quarter of this year, 33 percent more than in the same period last year. Electric cars accounted for a market share of 13.4 percent in the first quarter.

Top 10 new electric cars in Europe – Q1 2023

Top 10 most popular brands in Europe – Q1 2023

Volkswagen is by far the brand that registered the most new cars in Europe in the past three months. The brand kicked it up to 322,723 registrations, 25 percent more than last year. Toyota is in second place with 220,019 units +19 percent).