Tesla Model Y best-selling SUV as it beats RAV4 and CX-5

The Tesla Model Y was the third most popular vehicle in Australia last month as electric vehicles continue to gain momentum in the new-car market.

Tesla benefited for the second consecutive month from improved supply as its Model Y beat the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander with 4359 sales to claim the honour of best-selling SUV for September.

The Model Y’s result helped medium SUV sales overtake utes as the most popular vehicle segment.

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The US company also sold 1610 Model 3s to take a place in the top 10 brands list for the first time since it started reporting sales in March.

Tesla’s total September sales of 5969 accounted for the vast majority of the 7247 EVs sold last month. The figure was higher than the 4417 units the company registered in its official VFACTs debut.

EV sales were also higher than those for plug-in hybrid and hybrid sales combined – 5141 units.

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Battery-electric vehicles comprised eight per cent of new-car sales last month when not including heavy commercial vehicles.

There were no other notable results for electric vehicles. The Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, direct rivals for the Model Y, continue to struggle badly with supply issues.

Electric vehicles sales are showing huge growth, though accurate year-on-year comparisons are not possible owing to Tesla’s previous policy of not publicly revealing its figures.