Tesla's Model Y is the world's best selling car in Q1 of 2023
Tesla
The Tesla Model Y made a monumental leap in Q1 2023, emerging as the world's best-selling car. Not just the best-selling EV, or the best-selling SUV, but the world's best-selling vehicle, period.
According to industry analysts JATO Dynamics, this marks the first occasion in history where an EV has claimed this title. The growth trajectory of Model Y sales globally over recent years had hinted at this milestone, fulfilling Tesla's earlier predictions that demand could reach a million units per year.
JATO Dynamics' Revealing Analysis: Model Y Trumps Corolla
Data compiled by JATO Dynamics analyst Felipe Munoz reveals a compelling story. Model Y's Q1 sales reached 267,200, outperforming Toyota Corolla's 256,400 sales. The comparison becomes even more dramatic when considering other top contenders like Toyota's Hilux, RAV4, and Camry. Model Y's sales, largely driven by Tesla's significant price cuts, are escalating, while Corolla sales appear to be dwindling. This dynamic is particularly impressive considering the Model Y's introduction to the market a year later than the Corolla (2019 vs 2018).
The Legacy of the Toyota Corolla: A Reign Unchallenged Until Now
For decades, the Toyota Corolla has held an uncontested reign as the world's best-selling car, with its affordability, reliability, and universal availability contributing to its enduring popularity. Its 2018 iteration further consolidated this status, offering consumers a well-rounded package that catered to a wide variety of tastes and requirements across different markets.
The Corolla was indeed a global favorite, securing sales in practically every corner of the world, from North America and Europe to Asia. Its broad availability in multiple body styles — sedan, hatchback, and wagon — further expanded its appeal to a diverse customer base. Despite this formidable legacy, the emergence of the Model Y has marked a shift in consumer preferences. It heralds a new era in which electric vehicles can claim the top spot in global car sales.
The High Price Tag vs. Accessibility: Tesla's Strategic Moves
Tesla's ambitious projections regarding the Model Y have come to fruition, culminating in an average quarterly sales increase from last year's 189k to this year's Q1 figures. With this growth rate, Model Y is on track to exit 2023 with over 1 million sales. A feat previously only achieved by Toyota Corolla, which sold 1.12 million units in the previous year.
One may wonder how an EV with a price tag of approximately $40k (after credits) could outperform the more affordable Corolla, priced at $21k for a base model. Despite Model Y's higher cost, Tesla's strategic price cuts have widened its appeal, contributing significantly to its increased market share.
Elon Musk's prediction that the Model Y could become the world's best-selling car seems increasingly plausible. Given its current momentum and the growing demand for EVs, it's likely that Model Y will maintain its leading position, making Tesla's mark in the automotive industry even more indelible.
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Tesla has officially filed construction permits for its first Semi Megacharger site located near the 405 and 110 freeway corridors in California. This location is just outside Carson, CA, near the Port of Long Beach—one of the busiest ports in the U.S.
The site, located at 19300 S Hamilton Avenue, will primarily feature Megachargers designed to support Tesla’s electric truck fleet. Additionally, Tesla plans to include a small lounge facility with vending machines, restrooms, and other amenities for drivers.
Semi-Public
This site is considered “public” because it’s the first Megacharger location built on publicly accessible land, conveniently situated off a major highway. Previous Megacharger sites have been installed at private corporate facilities, making them inaccessible to the general public.
Despite being in a public location, Tesla plans to keep these Megacharger units exclusive to the Tesla Semi, unlike Superchargers, which are gradually opening to other EV manufacturers. While the Megacharger standard—MCS—is an open standard like NACS, Tesla’s Megachargers will remain off-limits to other trucks.
Megacharger
The Megacharger features a large, square-shaped connector, a sharp contrast to the NACS design. This is due to the unique operating specifications of the MCS connector, which supports charging between 750kW and 1,000kW. This incredible power could potentially add up to 400 miles (of the Semi’s 500-mile range) in just 30 minutes of charging.
With such rapid charging capabilities, the Tesla Semi’s downtime will be drastically reduced, allowing for more efficient operations and less time spent charging.
With volume production expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, the Tesla Semi is poised to become one of the company’s biggest products. We’re excited to see more Semis on the road—and hopefully, many more Megacharger sites in the near future.
The Cybertruck has finally received an official crash safety rating—and to the surprise of many critics, it’s outstanding. Tesla has announced that the Cybertruck earned a 5-star Overall Crash Safety Rating from the NHTSA.
Even more remarkable, the Cybertruck holds the lowest overall probability of injury and the lowest rollover risk of any pickup truck ever tested by the agency. Skeptics have long questioned its safety, arguing that its rigid design lacks crumple zones and could endanger occupants. But these results prove otherwise. Let’s break it down!
The Test
Sawyer Merritt
The 2024 and 2025 Tesla Cybertruck—both the AWD and Cyberbeast variants—were tested under the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) standards, which evaluate vehicle crashworthiness and restraint systems through various types of impacts.
Tesla has long prioritized safety, not only through advancements in active safety with FSD but also by designing vehicles with robust structural protection. The Cybertruck incorporates the Cybercell structural battery and internal crash cans to improve crash performance.
Its front and rear Gigacastings are engineered to channel impact forces into internal structures that collapse, functioning similarly to crumple zones in traditional vehicles. This design directs energy away from occupants and critical components. First, the internal crash cans absorb the force, and if needed, the Gigacasting collapses—both of which are replaceable, making the Cybertruck more repairable when compared to other modern vehicles.
Euro NCAP
Sawyer Merritt
While the Cybertruck has now earned a North American NCAP rating, it has yet to receive a Euro NCAP rating. Tesla has not submitted the Cybertruck for testing in Europe, as its sharp-edged stainless steel panels do not currently meet European regulations.
Tesla does plan to bring the Cybertruck to Europe eventually, but doing so will likely require significant exterior modifications to soften its edges and comply with safety standards. Once those changes are made, the Cybertruck should have no trouble acing the Euro NCAP tests.
After such a long wait, it’s great to finally see the Cybertruck’s crash test results—and with a 5-star rating, Tesla deserves credit for its impressive engineering. Safety has always been a cornerstone of Tesla’s design philosophy, and the Cybertruck continues that tradition as one of the safest vehicles on the road.
![Tesla Cybertruck Earns 5-Star Safety Rating in NHTSA Crash Tests [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/cybertruck/cybertruck-crash-test-1.jpeg/9453a19b7592aeaaec42228dab574527/cybertruck-crash-test-1.jpg)
