According to the latest data from the German agency responsible for tracking vehicle registrations, the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), Tesla has emerged as the clear leader in the German electric vehicle (EV) market, selling nearly double the number of EVs compared to its closest competitor, Volkswagen.
Tesla sold a total of 11,952 EVs in February, making it the most popular brand in terms of EV sales in Germany. Domestic brands Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes followed closely behind, but even when combined, they only just managed to surpass Tesla’s sales figures for the month. Volkswagen sold 6,972 EVs, Audi sold 4,767, and Mercedes sold 4,029.
Tesla’s leadership in the German market can be attributed in part to the establishment of Giga Berlin, which brought Model Y production to Europe. The Model Y has proven to be extremely popular in Germany, selling 6,442 units during the same month and outpacing the majority of other brands.
See also: Germany Passes One Million Mark for Electric Cars on the Road
The KBA data indicates that Tesla’s success in Germany is prompting other brands to take action. Volkswagen, for instance, recently announced a price cut on its next-generation VW ID.3 in an effort to better compete with the Model Y. However, the ID.3 still remains more expensive than its direct competitor, the Tesla Model 3.
While other brands have not followed Volkswagen in introducing price cuts in Europe, they have been expanding their lineups to compete in more market segments. Mercedes, for example, now sells a market-leading eight distinct models.
Despite the dominance of Tesla in the German market, the KBA also reported that the EV market as a whole grew by 2.6% in February. This is a positive indicator of growing interest in electric mobility and a shift towards a more sustainable economy. Regardless of who emerges as the market leader, continued growth in the EV market is crucial for a more sustainable future.
