Germany September 2022: Tesla Model Y clear best-seller, market up 14.1%

The Tesla Model Y is the first EV to rank #1 in Germany. Picture autobild.de

224,816 new cars hit German roads in September, a 14.1% year-on-year uptick. However let’s remember September 2021 was off -25.7% on the year prior so a weak comparison base. The year-to-date volume is now down -7.4% to 1,867,885. Once again the entire podium outpaces the market, but this time they stay roughly at the same level as YTD share-wise: Volkswagen (+30.2%) is at 18% vs. 18.3% YTD, Mercedes (+46.1%) is at 8.9% in both rankings and Audi (+71.8%) is at 7.6% vs. 8.1%. Skoda (+53.4%) and Ford (+21.7%) are also strong while Tesla (+73.7%) scores the highest year-on-year lift in the Top 15. Opel (-15.5%), Hyundai (-11.9%) and BMW (-0.2%) can’t keep up with the positive market. Further down, Cupra (+123.2%) ends the month only 138 sales below Seat (-28.3%).  

We have a historical event in the models ranking: the Tesla Model Y (+817.6%) takes the overall lead with almost 3,000 more than the VW Golf (+3%). Although biased by the traditional end-of-quarter backloading, this is however a formidable performance and the first time in German history that an EV is the best-seller. For the Golf, this is the second consecutive month missing out on the pole position, an event that also happened in October-November 2021. The VW Tiguan (+112.8%) remains at #3 with a fantastic lift, distancing the Skoda Octavia (+232.7%) even more dynamic, the VW T-Roc (+79.9%) and Fiat 500 lineup (+40.7%) all beating the market. The Ford Kuga (+151.9%) and Toyota Yaris/Cross (+74.7%) also impress in the remainder of the Top 10. The VW Taigo (#33) is the best-selling recent launch above the Cupra Born (#60) and Dacia Jogger (#62).

Previous month: Germany August 2022: VW T-Roc topples Golf in market up 3%

One year ago: Germany September 2021: Tesla Model 3 only 58 sales below Golf, market down -25.7%

Full September 2022 Top 50 all brands and Top 305 all models below.