Tesla’s Model Y Went From 42nd In January To Europe’s Best-Seller In March
Posted by Fearless_Neat_6654@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 143 comments
Posted by Fearless_Neat_6654@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 143 comments
xkemex@reddit
Oh no this sub won’t like this news
Alive_Internet@reddit
Everyone on this sub seems to agree that the Model Y is the most well-rounded package in its price range, however, there is still a small vocal group that won’t have it on their shopping list due to the CEOs antics.
PRSArchon@reddit
Only americans think the Tesla is competitive, in europe where we have much more asian and european EV alternatives there is no objective reason to prefer the Y.
epihocic@reddit
What's a better car than the Model Y?
PRSArchon@reddit
All of these SUV EVs offer similar range at a similar price so depending on personal preferences and other factors such as quality and reliability they are all just as good or potentially better: VW ID4, Skoda Enyaq, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Ford MachE. And then im not even considering the cheaper or smaller alternatives which are objectifely better if you dont need a big car: Skoda elroq, ID3 Pro S, Hyuandai Kona etc.
Every single car mentioned has a range between 500 and 600km and costs the same or less as a Tesla model Y.
epihocic@reddit
Really not sure how you can say those brands are at the same level as Tesla. They're just not. The Tesla has more premium materials, better features, better sound system, it's quieter, the list goes on.
By what metric are any of those cars even close? I know you don't have FSD yet in Europe, other than Netherlands, but it fucking destroys any other sort of ADAS system on the market. It's legitimately a 90-95% complete L5 self driving car that consumers can buy.
Wolfo93@reddit
Not really, I drove in Scenic recently and Tesla is miles worse when it comes to interior
epihocic@reddit
Renault? Are you comparing that to a Juniper?
Wolfo93@reddit
Why not? I drove both of them and Scenic was much more pleasant car to interact with. Tesla had more power but I don't really need that much in every day use tbh. 220HP is plenty enough for commute. When it came to interior feel Tesla left me cold, it was like a waiting room at the doctor office and materials were similar quality. And battery in Renault was slightly bigger. Tesla is not a luxurious offering it should be compared to every car brand that offers similar car tbh
epihocic@reddit
You're in denial. Model Y has better materials, and more features than any european vehicle at the same or similar price. It's far nicer than something like an X3 or GLC for example.
walnut100@reddit
Does the list go on? It has the best sound system of any mentioned but the worst suspension and build quality by far. The Ioniq 5 and Mach E materials are better and aren't renowned for developing squeaks and rattles.
PRSArchon@reddit
I dont really care about the latest ADAS systems, my 2018 Golf has all the driving assists i need (active lane keeping and adaptive CC).
Regarding the materials and features i completely disagree, that is subjective.
epihocic@reddit
Everything i mentioned is objective. How can you possibly say materials are not objective? Makes no sense what you're saying, and you have no idea what FSD is so you're just plain stupid if you dismiss it without even knowing what it is or what it's like. You're choosing to be ignorant.
PRSArchon@reddit
I know what FSD is but i have no desire to have it
Snoo93079@reddit
Ehhh. There are elements to all those cars that are better but I think this sub undervalues software.
Also Teslas drivetrain is better than all those cars. And yes in power but also in refinement.
I've never seen anyone say the id4 is better than a model y. Mache-e is dated.
PRSArchon@reddit
So you agree then that there are tons of good altetnatives to the model Y? Because that was the only point i was making.
Snoo93079@reddit
Defeinty. For example I own a Equinox EV RS. There are many things the Tesla does better, but some things the Equinox does better. Equinox feels a lot heavier, but on straight long roads is more comfortable vs the sportier Tesla suspension. While I didn't mind the basic Tesla interior, I eventually grew tired of it, and prefer the interior and mix of textures in my EQEV. It's also a little more quiet.
wolfluchs@reddit
Did you actually ever drive a Tesla or one of the ones you mentioned?
DaggumTarHeels@reddit
I've driven the new Mach E and the new Model Y. I'd take the Mach E personally, but I can see an argument for either.
PRSArchon@reddit
I dont get why everybody is hating on my alternatives, i never even said they are better. Just objectively just as good.
PRSArchon@reddit
Yes, have you?
LazyGandalf@reddit
Renault Scenic has a pretty competitive size/range/price ratio as well.
cat_prophecy@reddit
The model Y was the best selling car in the world barely two years ago and has consistently been in the top 5 since it came out. It's competitive whether or not you like it.
PRSArchon@reddit
Sure, but not universallay agreed to be best. The Skoda outsells it where i live.
cat_prophecy@reddit
It was still the best selling BEV in Europe for 2025 at 150,000 units. The next closest was the Skoda Elroq at 95,000 units or 36% fewer units.
In fact Tesla had 2 of the top 5: Model 3 (86,000) and Model Y (150,000).
Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit
The build quality on them is pretty shocking ngl
Tutorbin76@reddit
Only the US-built ones.
The ones built in the China factories are pretty good.
e136@reddit
Note that the ones sold in Europe are built in Berlin. Their factories are Shanghai, Fremont, Austin, Berlin. And all have decent build quality more a days, although new trims and models are still know to have issues when first produced.
Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit
Same with a lot of the Lincolns and Fords
Dachshand@reddit
Small? Lmao
ikilledtupac@reddit
I didn’t buy another one because of Elon but I will admit it’s a great car.
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BigJellyfish1906@reddit
This isn’t news. This the equivalent of “his fever got down to 100 last night, after being at 103 for days.”
This is relative to how they’ve been cratering.
They have a history of doing crazy things to boost sales at the end of a period. You can’t play the horse race game looking at individual months. Zoom out. Tesla is in terrible shape.
xkemex@reddit
Cry harder
BigJellyfish1906@reddit
Tell me where I’m wrong. Tesla does not erase 12 months of cratering sales in Europe with one decent month. That’s not how any of this works.
Oh_ffs_seriously@reddit
It it because of people dropping in and acting like it's some kind of great absolution and comeback, and not just a rebound after their worst year in a long time? Looking at ACEA numbers, Tesla's market share of EVs in (most of) Europe went from 19.2% in Q1 2024, to 9.4% in Q1 2025, to 10.8% in Q1 2026.
BigJellyfish1906@reddit
This thread is full of a lot of snide people that are way over-playing the significance of a single month…
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daandriod@reddit
Surprisingly this sub doesn't seem to have the same disdain for Tesla as most of Reddit seems to be inflicted with. I guess it's because this isn't a default sub.
I expected people to have anhyrisms in the comment section and making excuses. Pleasantly surprising
AbXcape@reddit
interested to see how the Tesla/EV haters gonna twist this
equitymans@reddit
The stock is sub s and p on a 5 year return and these are 2024 sales figures lol that's not about hate but reality
Yankee831@reddit
They’re not 2024 though they do mention different time periods. This is for 2026 numbers which they have posted in a chart.
equitymans@reddit
I meant this sales volume is only on par with what they achieved there in 24. It's not exactly a bright picture for an automaker that's sub 2 million cars annually and clearly competes for mass market in numerous major categories/classes. I made bank on Tesla 2013 through 2020. Of course I missed gains on the tail but I also understood what it was worth at 3/4 million cars per year and current margin range etc etc and that's a max 200 billion considering various other intrinsic parameters etc. However the market is always latent to react and price. But we see now 5 years dead money for many, and it will continue unless robotics saves them in such a massive way earnings wise that's almost hard to explain here. Tesla is now the next Cisco.
Yankee831@reddit
Just say you’ve never heard of a Blue Chip Stock or Dividends…
equitymans@reddit
I've never lost money on an investment since the age of 14 when I began. 18 years this July. I do it professionally, and independently now on my own to feed myself totally and depend on no 9-5 or boss to feed me. Please tell me more about equity investing lol
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
Interesting
Piotre1345@reddit
New Clio is a beauty, Renault is making great small cars lately.
Elvis1404@reddit
The 2026 Clio is unironically the worst looking car I've ever seen in person, I genuinely think that a Fiat Multipla looks 100 times better
Dachshand@reddit
Ok 🤡
brinmb@reddit
it certainly isn't ugly, but beautiful...?
CrashingBlumpkins46@reddit
That's a fantastic looking econobox IMO.
restless_oblivion@reddit
You have a problem with what others perceive as beautiful?
brinmb@reddit
no, I don't have a problem as its looks is a subjective opinion, but I don't think average opinion is that it's "beautiful"
TheLoveKraken@reddit
I haven’t seen the new Clio in person yet so I’ll reserve proper judgement until then, but the press images weren’t my cup of tea, especially compared to the v/iv/ii.
vhs29@reddit
I don't think it photographs well at all. It's not the new 300SL or 33 Stradale but I was positively surprised when I saw it in person.
Dachshand@reddit
It looks worse than the last one.
Aranka_Szeretlek@reddit
In the eye of the beholder. I think the new design is a setback. But its a solid car nonetheless.
e136@reddit
Clearly the Y is a great car. But will people at some point start to want variety? If the car continues to sell amazing for 10 more years, 1 in 8 of all cars on the road will be a Y in some areas. Right now it's a bit less since it's still somewhat new. Or will this turn into an iPhone situation where everyone has the same thing and doesn't mind?
I think the Y would benefit from having more free colors to choose from for people that want a Y but also want something different. I do think it was a smart move to make the 3 and Y more visually distinct.
Digging into the numbers, it looks like in 1921, over 50% of new cars were Fords (basically one model with some variations), then in the 1960s 5% of all new cars were Beatles, and today about 1 or 2% of all new cars are Ys, so maybe this isn't as big of an issue as I am thinking.
CraigJay@reddit
I’m not sure why people would want variety really. Ultimately you’re buying a car for yourself, if there’s one which is best in class quite evidently, you’ll choose that no matter how popular they are. With EVs still being relatively new and most people are buying one for the first time, there is a comfort in buying a best selling model too.
People already skip variety when it comes to choosing colours anyway.
Dachshand@reddit
Those fake news aren’t worth reporting. Tesla always stacks orders and registers cars in a huge bunch.
CraigJay@reddit
Fake news! Fake news! Fake news!
chadwicke619@reddit
Is anyone else thinking about recent reports that SpaceX is single-handedly carrying Cybertruck sales? I wonder what the breakdown of European sales looks like, and where the cars are all going.
Bebealex@reddit
I keep saying consumers don't vote with their wallets. Informed consumers do. Most people buy what they get told to buy. So few people care about more than themselves because we get told that we won't make a difference. (Not putting a cent in Tesla's CEO)
JackTheBehemothKillr@reddit
Considering how pissed the EU was with his meddling over there, I would bet there are shenanigans
ThijsNL98@reddit
Thats quite a stretch. It was 18-20% of all cybertruck sales for Q4 2025.
Still a large amount ofcourse.
Rage_Your_Dream@reddit
I wonder if spacex employees get some sort of massive discount on the cybertruck? Its a smart way to keep money youve already paid and to make your car not look like a total failure
kstetter@reddit
From what I've seen most sales are fleet and Uber drivers in Australia for the Y, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same in Europe
hi_im_bored13@reddit
its a bit difficult to paint a picture of Tesla sales as they do the UK RHD production in batches, countries w/ imports see a steep climb in sales end of quarter, etc.
But they've tightened it up this past year, refresh, standard model, then the nicer screen + mild tweaks & the 3-row, they are also rolling out FSD
PurpleSausage77@reddit
Yep, market speaks for itself. Kind of surprised, I thought Chinese EVs were taking everywhere by storm, but only time will tell.
Bebealex@reddit
I keep saying consumers don't vote with their wallets. Informed consumers do. Most people buy what they get told to buy. So few people care about more than themselves because we get told that we won't make a difference. (Not putting a cent in Tesla's CEO)
Purrchil@reddit
That is clickbait/ car journalists who don’t know anything.
RIP_Soulja_Slim@reddit
This sub is really weird with respect to Chinese EV's, they get super downvotey without bothering to consider what's being said.
I posted this article the other day, which got a ton of really angry comments from people who didn't seem to have read the article: https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/1srnkn6/tiktok_makes_americans_want_chinese_evs_they_cant/
TLDR is that you're right, but it's not "Journalists who don't know anything". China is running a soft power strategy with their EV makers and quietly partnering with influencers all over the internet to push brand recognition, hype, and the general sentiment that Chinese EV's are taking the world by storm.
From an objective standpoint it's a pretty interesting strategy, it's not quite the same as regular automakers giving journalists cars to review, they're reaching out to influencers across social media and creating deals for content.
In 2023 ByteDance spun off a separate company called DCar which literally solely exists to court American influencers to create content showcasing Chinese EVs.
But like, IDK every time this comes up the downvotes come raining in lol. The conspiratorial side of me says it's Chinese astroturfing, but the realistic side of me says that most people on reddit are just dumb lol.
Snoo93079@reddit
How so?
Purrchil@reddit
If you have to believe some car journalists, Europe is been taken bij Chinese EV’s by force. When you look al te real numbers, it still is rather modest, with the biggest Chinese company having a market share comparable with the smallest VW group brand (Cupra). VW group holds a EV market share of 28%, but you never read that.
mishap1@reddit
~20% of Teslas in Europe are made in China.
henchman171@reddit
As long as they are not american made
hi_im_bored13@reddit
There is an additional tariff (e.x. 17% for BYD) on top of the standard 10% tariff to compensate for what the EU found as Chinese state support, the UK's EV scheme also excludes Chinese-made cars, France' ecobonus carbon footprint scoring system effectively bars Chinese imports
Plus the usual issues w/ building up support & distribution, & spreading out their model range a little more, but all European Model Y's are German-made. The model 3 is actually still imported from china & you can compare the split to the split in the states & somewhat measure the disadvantage
BYD is opening a factory in Hungary, Leapmotor builds through stellantis in Poland, going to be a little more interesting next year maybe
yourlocalFSDO@reddit
Redditors admitting Tesla can still sell cars challenge.. impossible
hi_im_bored13@reddit
I mean its not the popular sentiment in this sub but I've always personally been positive on tesla regarding the cars & engineering, even the cybertruck, which I prefer over the R1S still
Management not always, they don't always pick the right things to execute on. But from an enthusiast & engineers perspective I highly respect the execution itself
It's a little different if we're also discussing the chinese market where Tesla is far from the only one w/ that execution. But in the context of europe where chinese EVs get a bit pricier & especially in the american market where we arent exposed at all, its positive
obeytheturtles@reddit
Yeah, I have a model 3 from the so-called "panel gap" era (the gaps are fine), which is complete shit according to reddit, but it is legitimately the best daily driver I have ever owned. Cost of ownership has been tires, wipers, and electricity, and that's it. My paint is even still in good shape.
intelligent_dildo@reddit
Remove the tariffs on Chinese EV and then we can talk about Tesla selling cars in EU.
band-of-horses@reddit
It also probably helps that Elon has been much more out of the public spotlight and not getting constant negative attention for most of the past year.
ikilledtupac@reddit
And he didn’t show up, get some bullshit job and fuck everyone’s lives up then quit five months later like he did in the USA
wwwhatisgoingon@reddit
He did support the AfD, show up for a far-right rally in London and spout some nonsense about "violence" and taking the country back.
Plus the salutes.
But people either don't care or don't know.
cars-ModTeam@reddit
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epihocic@reddit
I largely agree with what you've said, except for the Model Y going toe-to-toe bit with comparable ICE cars. I recently bought one, and cross-shopped vehicles like the BMW X3, and the Tesla just destroys it in basically every metric other than range, and it's really not even close.
Traxious@reddit
i’d highly highly disagree. the xpeng g6 is way better
takao-obi@reddit
A big part is supply as well though. Teslas and Leapmotor had wait times for new cars of 1-2 weeks as their cars were standing on lots.
For many brands we not gonna see the increases until later this year until their built to order cars get delivered CLAs have more than 6 months waiting time after order. Ix3 you are not getting this year. Even an electric Citroen C5 aircross: 40 week wait time when I checked on their configurator. We will see a continuous uplift of EV sales through the year as all brands sold massively but not all will get registered today.
tejanaqkilica@reddit
wE bOuGhT tHiS bEfOrE wE kNeW gang is going to be really upset in Germany.
dumbledayum@reddit
I am no Monk, and Fuck musk. But Tesla is actually the best car I have ever driven (under 60K euro) and I’ll remain its customer in Germany until they start making shit cars (or Until i can move to Taycan)
Dachshand@reddit
Seems you haven’t driven many competitors then.
dumbledayum@reddit
I actually have, luckily i got to drive Volkswagen, BMW and Audi while i was getting my driving license, then before getting my Tesla i have done test drive for Skoda, Ford and some more Audi, Kia and Hyundai. Each of them lacked one way or the other, finally after Test drive with CLA and Tesla, those were the two options i really liked. While CLAs suspension were clearly the upper hand, everything else was better in Tesla.
Dachshand@reddit
Ridiculous.
AndroidUser37@reddit
I have in fact, and the i4, while better in some ways, still showcases many of the traditional failings of legacy auto. Tesla wins on infotainment, performance, range, and packaging. The BMW wins on fit and finish/build quality.
Dachshand@reddit
And in steering feel, seats, seating position, ride quality, cornering, design etc
AndroidUser37@reddit
A Model 3 Performance (which is similarly priced to the i4) has really nice adjustable dampers that help it keep up with an M3 on the track. So cornering isn't even something that the i4 can consider a straight win anymore. Neither is ride quality.
Also, are you implying that enthusiasts don't care about performance? Huh?
e136@reddit
Don't forget that if you buy an ice car, you have to buy gas. Which ethical gas corporation do you buy from?
Dunx29@reddit
Lol Reddit in shambles.
Best car for the money, nothing comes close!
Boundish91@reddit
Lol.
Vanilla car for vanilla people.
Like a Camry.
shortyman920@reddit
Is that a bad thing for sales? Majority of drivers are not car enthusiasts
Fearless_Neat_6654@reddit (OP)
lol this has to be the funniest thing I've ever heard on this sub 🤣
DaBanninator@reddit
Tesla model Y is the best daily driver you can get at any price.
Dachshand@reddit
If you’re into soul less appliances without good seating position and steering feel.
DaBanninator@reddit
And what soulful appliance with amazing steering feel do you daily?
Dachshand@reddit
An NB Miata and a S212 E-Class.
DaBanninator@reddit
😂
Dachshand@reddit
What’s funny? Ten times more soul, fun, comfort and space than your appliance and certainly more enthusiast cars.
DaBanninator@reddit
It's funny because our first Tesla replaced an S211. Given the choice we put 10x more miles on the Tesla than the old wagon.
The people that talk shit on teslas haven't tried living with out one as a daily drive. It runs circles around 99% of the combustion cars on the road. You really should try one.
Dachshand@reddit
I’ve driven a Model 3 for 1.5 years regularly. I have clear issues with it as I mentioned. It has no soul. The interior is dreadful, the door handles and door opening buttons are fucking dreadful, the constant beeping is annoying AF and the seating position is not ergonomical and the steering feels artificial.
I’m not debating that Tesla’s can’t be a good daily, but they’re certainly no enthusiast cars. And sorry, but an i4 and even an id.7 are better driving and feeling cars with a considerably better quality feel, turning radius, seating comfort and steering feel.
ThijsNL98@reddit
The i4 and ID.7 are in a completely different price range. I'd say the model 3 steers very well for an EV.
Also owned four Mazda MX-5 NB's and indeed... not much can come close to that hydraulic rack and rifle bolt like shifting.
The model 3 is just a great all round car that gets people from A to B, what EV would you choose instead of it?
e136@reddit
You should test drive one. The steering feel is surprisingly good.
walnut100@reddit
At any price? Yeah no.
November87@reddit
Europe continues to support fascism. Way to go
Due-Combination7924@reddit
Whoa how did this post get through the mods and tesla downvoting bot farms?
haragoshi@reddit
Tesla Y is an amazing car. If it wasn’t associated with a controversial leader it would be doing even better. I am curious about how BYD will compete in the future.
cuddlepwince@reddit
Reddit wont like this, but mah China evs!!
NitroLada@reddit
Chinese EVs are still best selling by far, the headline is for one model. Chinese EVs have more than one model
BigJellyfish1906@reddit
And it’s one month. Long term picture for Tesla in Europe is abysmal.
bindermichi@reddit
Pick any one of the three.
drunkandslurred@reddit
So no other EVs benefit from increaseed gas prices? No other car company can run promotions?
Reddit is hilarious, after all these years you guys still can't admit that maybe their cars aren't terrible and people actually buy them because they're good cars.
T-Baaller@reddit
Buying other brands is more likely to run into delay from order to delivery, than the one that's suffered a drop in demand which leads to excess production capacity.
And the US/I special military operation induced EV-spike creates people who want an EV now.
kobriks@reddit
So they keep giving Europeans shittier batteries, recently they hiked prices and made batteries EVEN WORSE for some models, and everyone keeps buying this POS? I guess Musk found a perfect ground for morons he can screw over.
WatchStoredInAss@reddit
Still an NPC car.
xkemex@reddit
What car do you drive main character guy? Hyundai 🤣
atomicskiracer@reddit
I drive a gt3, what do you drive?
Tutorbin76@reddit
You forgot to switch accounts.
atomicskiracer@reddit
What?
Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit
There's no point my guy; the non-flaired people look down on everything, which is massively ironic 😔
AbXcape@reddit
this is not the flex you think it is bubba
atomicskiracer@reddit
Zero attempt at a flex amigo
xselimbradleyx@reddit
I drive a 2006 Pontiac Vibe with 52k miles and leather interior, pleb.
atomicskiracer@reddit
With leather? No need to flex richie rich, times are hard right now
mishap1@reddit
So they approximately matched 2024 sales numbers after attacking Iran blew up gas prices across Europe?
br0wntree@reddit
Higher gas prices were favourable for all EV brands.
Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit
Some more than others apparently...
xlb250@reddit
haha
real_fake_hoors@reddit
I’m sure Musk is saying “Heil!” to that.
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