The Dacia Sandero and Tesla Model Y are locked in the race for the best-selling new vehicle in Europe this year after jostling for the top spot during the January-October period.
Through the first 10 months of 2023, 184,088 examples of the Dacia Sandero have been registered across the continent, positioning it just ahead of the Tesla Model Y with 183,799 registrations. These figures are preliminary and based on data representing 92% of sales in the European Union, EFTA countries, and the UK, and compiled by Dataforce.
Read: Tesla Model Y Tops Monthly Sales In Europe For The 5th Time This Year
It was the Sandero that led the charge in October with 21,139 registrations, placing it ahead of the Renault Clio with 14,534 and well ahead of the Model Y in 24th position with 9,660 registrations. While this could lead you to believe that demand for the Model Y has dropped off a cliff, that’s likely not the case.
Auto News reports that sales for the electric SUV are usually significantly lower in the first month of a quarter than they are in the final two months. For example, in July it was the 17th best-selling new car and in January was ranked number 32 but was the top-seller in February, March, May, June, August, and September. With this in mind, registrations of the Model Y are expected to be strong through November and December, potentially putting it in the position to outsell the Sandero.
In third position of Europe’s best-selling new vehicles through January-October is the VW T-Roc with 164,833 sales, followed by the Peugeot 208 with 163,672 units, and the Renault Clio with 154,493 registrations.
Sales of the Model Y have soared in Europe this year, as they are up 142.3% year-to-date, from 75,854 registrations to the aforementioned 183,799 as of the end of October. The only other car to experience a triple-digit percentage gain in sales this year is the MG ZS with sales of it climbing 107.7% from 31,971 units to 66,402.
