Tesla will outsell its competitors even after the first quarter stock roller coaster.
Elon Musk said he will become Tesla CEO in just five years.
Billionaire Elon Musk is currently planning to spend “a lot less” on future political contributions.
Scripps News
- According to the Kelley Blue Book, Tesla sold over 64,000 Model Y Electric SUVs in the first quarter.
- The EV car manufacturer has sold over 52,000 Model 3 electric sedans.
- Tesla continues to sell its rivals despite the big controversy involving CEO Elon Musk.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) had one of the most intense business rooms in its history in the first quarter of 2025. Stocks fell 41.5% from January 2nd to April 8th, hitting an annual low of $221.86 per share.
Since then, Tesla’s stock price has recovered to $356.86 at noon on May 27th, recovering in a massive way. Sales figures show that Tesla EVs are selling like pancakes compared to their rivals despite the strong negative sentiment surrounding the company’s CEO Elon Musk.
Tesla still sells rivals despite the controversy
Tesla continued to outperform its rivals, with sales declined by 8.6% year-on-year (from 140,187 units). Hyundai, Kia, Ford and Volkswagen EVs provide diversity to American car buyers, but pose little threats to Tesla from a sales perspective.
According to the Kelley Blue Book, the electric vehicle sales report for the first business quarter of 2025 points out that Tesla sold 128,100 EVs. This is more EVs than Toyota (5,610), Hyundai (12,843), Honda (9,561), Ford (22,550), kia (8,656) and Volkswagen (9,564).
Based on the numbers, both Tesla’s two bestselling name plates (Model Y and Model 3) are selling out popular EVs from other brands at a ratio of at least 2:1.
While some automakers are behind in EV production, several companies, such as Ford, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia, are producing competitive electric vehicles with the capabilities to rival Tesla EVs in terms of performance. So why is Teslaev still so popular despite all the controversy surrounding the company?
Tesla is addressing two major concerns for American EV buyers
Electric vehicle space is still in its early stages compared to the American internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle space. Automakers such as Ford and General Motors have a long history of producing bestselling nameplates. Tesla arrived in 2003 as a new child on the block. In 2010, according to Forbes, a stock price of just $1.59 was published in 2010 for just $1.59 (after it took up a stock split).
The first few vehicles, the Roadster, Model S and Model X, were not initially mainstream models. Instead, expensive EVs focus on innovative features and performance. In 2017, Tesla introduced the Model 3 Electric Sedan, one of the bestselling EVs ever produced. The Model 3 had a lower MSRP than the previous Tesla EV. This started at just $36,200.
The Model 3 electric sedan remains affordable, with the 2025 model starting at $42,490 with long-range rear-wheel drive trim (no incentives). The EV tax credit brings the starting price closer to $34,990. The base model has an EPA estimated drive range of 363 miles.
Many American EV buyers are looking for affordable EVs with ample driving range to avoid range anxiety based on sales data. The most popular Tesla EV is a model with affordable base trim that allows you to travel over 300 miles with a full battery. Tesla addresses two major issues in the EV buying process. Affordable pricing and practical driving range.
The Tesla Supercharger network is unparalleled
Charging is a major factor in EV ownership. It is no secret that many parts of the United States lack the charging infrastructure to charge EVs, just as gas vehicles are refueled.
Tesla has been actively working to address the future needs of EV chargers by establishing the Tesla Supercharger Network. The network hosts over 60,000 global superchargers. Tesla’s supercharger can replenish 200 miles of driving range in just 15 minutes.
Several major automakers have partnered with Tesla to provide their network of chargers to non-Tesla EV owners. Tesla sells vehicle-specific adapters, allowing EVs from General Motors, Libian, Ford, Volvo, Polestar, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and more to use Tesla Superchargers.
As long as Tesla has its EV charging infrastructure, few automakers invest in EV charging. Between the affordability, driving range and charging capabilities of Tesla vehicles, it’s not difficult to see how the American automaker sold so many models in the first quarter.
Top sales EV for the first quarter of 2025
- Tesla Model Y (64,051 units)
- Tesla Model 3 (52,520 units)
- Ford Mustang Mach-E (11,607 units)
- Chevrolet Equinox EV (10,329 units)
- Hyundai Ionik 5 (8,611 units)
- Volkswagen ID.4 (7,663 units)
- Ford F-150 Lightning (7,187 units)
- Tesla Cyber Truck (6,406 units)
- Livian R1 (5,357 units)
- Acura ZDX (4,813 units)
