Tesla’s record quarter in the fourth quarter of 2020 was helped by strong performance in the United States, especially in California, according to new registration data.
Tesla sales in California
California is an important market for Tesla. Obviously, it is the domestic market of the automaker and its main plant, but it is also the largest market for electric vehicles in the country, with some generous incentives.
In the second quarter of 2020, Tesla’s sales nearly halved in California during the start of the pandemic.
Tesla started picking things up in the third quarter and set a new global delivery record, to which California contributed more than 16,000 vehicles – about twice as many vehicles as in the last quarter.
Tesla is now maintaining momentum in its domestic market in the fourth quarter.
Tesla Q2 2020 deliveries in California
Based on the new registration data released by Cross-Sell, Tesla sold more than 22,000 electric vehicles in California in the fourth quarter, contributing to its new record for global deliveries of 180,000 vehicles in the quarter.
With about 11,400 units, Model Y was responsible for more than half of Tesla’s deliveries in California, according to the data.
Sales of the Model 3 fell, as the Model Y has diverted part of the demand for the electric sedan.
In addition, Tesla initiated the launch of the 2021 Model 3 during the fourth quarter, which could have affected the sales performance of the electric vehicle.
Tesla sales in the USA
Cross-Sell also discloses data on Tesla sales in other states, but registration data is only available in 23 states.
Based in the 23 states, Tesla delivered at least 44,749 electric cars to the U.S. in the fourth quarter – making it one of its most important markets. Again, Model Y was responsible for about half of those deliveries.
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