Tag Archives: Tesla

NEWS

Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas

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At least one person has been killed and seven others injured after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

According to reports, the explosion occurred shortly after the electric pickup truck was parked in front of the hotel lobby on Wednesday morning.

Police stated that the incident resulted in the death of one person who was inside the truck, while seven others sustained injuries.

So far, the cause of the explosion remains unknown, and police are still investigating whether it originated from the truck itself or from external factors.

However, there are reports stating that the Cybertruck was carrying fireworks at the time of the explosion. The reports say that investigators are working to determine the motive and whether the driver intended to set off the blast.

Following the incident, all guests staying at the Trump International Hotel have been evacuated to Resorts World Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, in a post on X, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, “The whole Tesla senior team is investigating this matter right now. Will post more information as soon as we learn anything. We’ve never seen anything like this.”

EV, NEWS

S3XY Stalks: a solution for a problem that should not exist

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Many have praised the sleek design of the Tesla Model 3 Highland electric sedan, while others have criticized it for features that complicate life for traditional drivers.

One such feature is the absence of a physical turn signal stalk, which has been replaced with a touch-sensitive button located on the steering wheel.

This change has not been well-received by those accustomed to using a physical turn signal stalk.

The good news is that you can find a solution to this unnecessary issue by purchasing S3XY Stalks from Enhance Auto.

This aftermarket option allows owners to install the device directly onto the steering column without the need to remove the steering wheel.

S3XY Stalks require no wiring and communicate directly with the car’s system using Bluetooth technology.

According to Enhance, this Bluetooth stalk has a battery life of at least a year before it needs to be replaced.

In addition to the function of activating the turn signals, there is a special button at the end of the stalk for user-customizable functions.

The retail price ranges from $343.69 to $363.69 (RM1,537-RM1,626), depending on the selected Tesla model.

In addition to the Tesla Model 3 Highland, these stalks are also compatible with the Model S and Model X.

In our view, this is a prime example of a solution for a problem that should not exist.

We are concerned that one day, manufacturers may offer turn signal stalks as an option rather than as standard factory equipment—a welcomed development for those who refuse to signal on the road.

EV, NEWS

BMW surpasses Tesla’s EV sales in Europe for the first time

Tesla is no longer the dominant force in the electric vehicle segment, at least in the European continent.

Based on data obtained from JATO Dynamics, BMW has managed to sell a total of 14,869 EVs throughout July 2024.

In comparison, Tesla has sold a total of 14,561 units for the same period.

Despite the small difference, this indicates that the German manufacturer is now able to surpass Tesla’s EV sales, even while still offering options for petrol and hybrid vehicles to consumers.

JATO Dynamics analysis shows a decline in sales performance for two of Tesla’s crucial models (Model Y and Model 3) last month, with Model Y sales decreasing by 16 percent to 9,544 units, and Model 3 dropping by 17 percent to 4,694 units.

Tesla may still take pride in the fact that the Model Y remains the best-selling EV, surpassing the Volvo EX30 (6,573 units) and the Volkswagen ID.4 (5,295 units).

Despite holding the title for the best-selling EV, these numbers are still significantly behind the sales performance of the best-selling models in Europe, with the Dacia Sandero leading the way in July with 22,398 units sold, followed by the Volkswagen T-Roc (19,254 units) and the Toyota Yaris Cross (17,314 units).

EV, NEWS

Tesla never committed to open EV factory in Malaysia – Minister

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Tesla has never committed to opening a factory in Malaysia, said Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Tengku Zafrul explained that the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) had engaged in discussions with Tesla founder Elon Musk in efforts to attract investment, but these discussions did not involve setting up a factory.

“Firstly, the foreign news report is not an official statement from Tesla but rather quotes anonymous or unnamed sources. Reporters need to verify the authenticity of this news with Tesla, as the source of this news is not from Tesla.

“Secondly, MITI has never announced that Tesla will open a factory in Malaysia. We have had discussions with Elon Musk in efforts to attract investment, but Tesla has never committed to opening a factory here,” Tengku Zafrul said.

He made these comments in response to a report from Thai online news portal, The Nation, which cited unnamed sources within the government regarding Tesla’s cancellation of plans to develop factories in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

The report also stated that Tesla’s current discussions are only focused on efforts related to charging stations and has suspended plans to develop factories not just in Thailand but globally.

“Tesla is not proceeding with plans in Malaysia, Indonesia, or other locations except in China, the United States, and Germany,” the news portal reported.

On July 20 last year, a leading United States multinational electric automotive manufacturer announced its strategic expansion into the Malaysian market through Tesla Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

According to a joint statement from Tesla and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), this move is a direct response to the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Global Leader initiative introduced by MITI.

In addition to introducing a range of advanced electric vehicles (EVs) to Malaysian consumers, Tesla is also committed to investing in a comprehensive network of fast and standard charging stations across strategic locations in Malaysia, as well as establishing its state-of-the-art headquarters and service centre in Cyberjaya, Selangor.

NEWS

Polestar 3 SUV now with a more ‘affordable’ single motor RWD option

The Polestar 3 has been launched in the European market, and the manufacturer has now confirmed that they will offer a single electric motor version that is more affordable.

This variant will be an addition to the Long Range Dual Motor and Long Range Dual Motor Performance models, both of which are all-wheel-drive models. The new RWD single electric motor variant will provide lower power but potentially more driving range.

With only one motor at the rear, the Polestar 3 RWD has 295hp and 490Nm of torque, which is lower compared to the 483hp of the regular Dual Motor and 510hp of the Dual Motor Performance. The supplied battery remains the same, at 107kWh with DC charging capability at a rate of 250kW.

Official figures are not yet available, but Polestar has stated that this single motor version can be driven over 640km, exceeding the range of the dual motor models.

Despite having ‘only’ one motor, the features and equipment on this RWD model are similar to the dual motor models. There are six color options, four wheel choices including a new 21-inch alloy set, and several cabin trims available.

The price is also lower compared to the dual motor models. It will be interesting to see the comparison between this Polestar 3 RWD and the Tesla Model Y RWD Single Motor.

NEWS

Tesla now officially in Penang, Cybertruck on display until June 30

AFTER much anticipation by Tesla owners and residents of Penang Island, Tesla has been officially launched in Penang.

The inauguration also featured the 2024 Model 3 Performance, Model Y, and Cybertruck. These three models are showcased at Level G, Center at Gurney Plaza, George Town from June 21 to June 30.

According to Tesla, this launch is important as they have plans to expand their market and services in the northern states of Malaysia.

Tesla has also announced its plans to open service locations after sales on Penang Island very soon.

The public in Penang can now test drive the Model 3 and Model Y, contact 1800-81-0655 or visit tesla.com/en_my/event/tesla-penang-testdrive for more information and to schedule a test drive.

Tesla now has three charging stations in Penang located at The Ship Campus, All Seasons Place, and Sunway Carnival, providing a total of 12 Wall Connectors and 4 Super V3 Chargers.

Tesla has also confirmed the installation project of the first V4 charging station in Penang at Gurney Plaza.

This charging station will further facilitate the public in owning a Tesla in Penang. Plans to further expand charging infrastructure will also be implemented in the future.

NEWS

Tesla Supercharger now in Kuantan, first in East Coast

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TESLA has opened and activated a Supercharger station in Kuantan, Pahang. Located on the premises of the Kuantan City Council (MBK), it is the first Tesla Supercharger on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

According to Josh KY Chua, who shared some pictures on the Facebook’s Warga Kuantan page, the station can be used by the public 24 hours a day.

There are four charging bays at this location. Similar to other Supercharger stations throughout the country, the new station in Kuantan also has a charging rate of RM1.25 per kWh.

There is also an idle fee of RM4.00 per minute if the station is full.

Although Tesla has started rolling out Supercharger V4 networks in Malaysia, the MBK station, however, is equipped with Supercharger V3 technology.

The launch of this new Supercharger station aligns with the announcement made by Tesla’s Regional Director, Isabel Fan, in March, stating that the Kuantan Supercharger would be operational by the end of the second quarter of this year.

Other locations for the second quarter include the first Supercharger in Penang located in Prai.

EV, NEWS

Tesla Model 3 Performance available for order in Malaysia – from RM242k

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The new Tesla Model 3 Performance, the most powerful variant in the Model 3 lineup, has been officially introduced with a selling price of RM242,000 in Malaysia.

Powering the Model 3 Performance is Tesla’s latest generation performance drive unit (Performance 4DU) consisting of two electric motors, one on each axle.

Based on the specifications available on the Tesla Malaysia website, the electric sedan boasts a total system output of 460 hp that enables it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds, with a maximum speed of 262 km/h.

For comparison, the Model 3 Long Range AWD takes 4.4 seconds to reach the same speed and can accelerate up to 201 km/h.

In terms of range, the Model 3 Performance is said to be capable of covering a distance of up to 528 km based on WLTP cycle, which is 101 km shorter than what the Long Range AWD offers.

Additionally, the high-performance variant also features a new adaptive damping system paired with multi-sectioned stabiliser bar, ultra-high strength steel springs, and stiffer suspension top mounts.

The braking system has been upgraded through track-ready pads, which offer more immediate deceleration and higher thermal limits and endurance.

In terms of appearance, this variant can be distinguished by new front and rear bumper designs, a rear diffuser, and a carbon fibre spoiler.

The Malaysian market model comes with 20-inch Warp wheels and is available in five colours: Pearl White Multi-Coat, Solid Black (RM5,000), Deep Blue Metallic (RM5,000), Stealth Grey (RM7,500), and Ultra Red (RM11,000).

Inside, you’ll find sport seats with enhanced bolstering and deeper position, carbon fibre trims on the dashboard, and a Track Mode V3 that integrates motor controls, suspension controls, powertrain cooling, and Vehicle Dynamics Controller (VDC) under a single, unified system.

As for the cabin space, black upholstery comes as standard, but customers can also opt for black and white upholstery at an additional cost of RM5,000.

According to Tesla Malaysia, the delivery of the Model 3 Performance is expected to commence in the second quarter of this year.

NEWS

Tesla Cybertruck recalled due to potential accelerator pedal sticking

TESLA is conducting a recall for their electric pickup truck, the Cybertruck, due to a potential safety issue with the plastic pad above its accelerator pedal.

The company has identified a risk of the pad detaching and sticking to the trim when the pedal is pressed, posing a collision hazard.

The recall was announced by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) today, in response to social media reports indicating that the pad on the EV pickup truck’s pedal was loose.

However, Cybertruck owners claim that pressing the brake while pressing the accelerator pedal would deactivate the accelerator input.

An official from the NHTSA stated in a report that “pressing the brake pedal will cut torque to the motor, including pressing both pedals, and if the brake pedal is continually depressed it will stop the vehicle just as rapidly as if the accelerator pedal were not depressed.”

The entire batch of Cybertrucks is affected by this recall, totaling 3,878 units manufactured between November 13th and April 4th. After the viral social media reports, Tesla reportedly halted the production of Cybertrucks.

The root cause of this issue is soap. Yes, soap! It was used to facilitate the adhesion of the pad to the accelerator pedal during the installation process. This was identified as an “unapproved change” in the installation process. Due to this soap, the pad did not adhere securely to the pedal, resulting in easy detachment.

To address this issue, Tesla will replace or repair the accelerator pedal at no cost. The trucks produced after April 17th have been equipped with new components and serial numbers. Any pending deliveries of Cybertrucks will have their pedals addressed before being handed over to customers.

NEWS

Tesla’s latest EV chargers in Malaysia is the biggest one in Southeast Asia

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Malaysia now has the largest electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Southeast Asia, located at Gamuda Cove in Kuala Langat. This state-of-the-art facility is the latest addition to Tesla’s charging network in Malaysia, comprising six Superchargers and 18 Destination Chargers.

The expansion of Tesla’s charging infrastructure in Malaysia includes the following previously established stations:

  • Pavilion Bukit Jalil: 6 Superchargers, 2 Destination Chargers
  • Tesla Service Centre Cyberjaya: 4 Superchargers, 4 Destination Chargers
  • Sunway Big Box Iskandar Puteri Johor: 4 Superchargers, 3 Destination Chargers
  • Freeport A’Famosa Outlet Melaka: 4 Superchargers, 1 Destination Charger
  • Pavilion KL: 8 Superchargers
  • Sunway Pyramid: 4 Superchargers
  • The Ship Campus Penang: 8 Destination Chargers
  • Sunway Velocity Mall KL: 6 Destination Chargers
  • Sunway Putra Mall KL: 6 Destination Chargers
  • Pavilion Damansara Heights: 5 Destination Chargers
  • All Seasons Place Penang: 4 Destination Chargers

In total, Tesla now operates 36 Superchargers and 55 Destination Chargers across the country. Notably, the charging fees are uniform across all stations.

The Supercharger, capable of charging at rates of up to 250kW, offers its services at a rate of RM1.25/kWh, with an additional idle fee of RM4.00 per minute when the station is at full capacity.

EV

Tesla opens new Supercharging station in Pavilion Bukit Jalil

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Tesla has announced the opening of their newest Supercharging station at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. Since the brand’s presence in July 2023, they have been committed to expanding the charging network for a better experience for their owners in Malaysia.

The new Supercharging station is equipped with 6 Superchargers and 2 Destination Chargers. This brings the total to 30 Superchargers and 25 Destination Chargers nationwide.

With charging speeds of up to 250kW, a Tesla Model 3 can be recharged to provide a range of 282km in just 15 minutes.

Additionally, Tesla owners can now monitor available chargers, charging status, payments, and real-time technical assistance, providing significant convenience, especially for first-time EV owners.

The Tesla Supercharging station at Pavilion Bukit Jalil is located in parking B1, Pavilion Bukit Jalil 2, Persiaran Jalil 8, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The charging rate is RM1.25/kWh, while the idle fee is up to RM4/minute when the station is fully utilized.

EV, NEWS

Tesla sold a total of one car in South Korea in January

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In Malaysia, Tesla is much lauded by electric vehicle (EV) users and enthusiasts alike, but in South Korea, it’s an entirely different story.

According to a report by Free Malaysia Today, the Texas-based EV manufacturer only managed to sell one car, a Model Y, in January due to concerns about safety, pricing, and charging infrastructure.

Data from the Seoul-based research firm Carisyou and the Korea Ministry of Trade indicates that this marked Tesla’s worst sales performance since July 2022, when it sold no vehicles at all.

Carisyou also reported that the number of new EV registrations in the country declined by 80% in January 2023 compared to December 2022.

It is understood that the slow reception for EVs in South Korea is due to higher interest rates and inflation, which have forced consumers to restrain their spending.

Furthermore, concerns about battery fires and a shortage of fast chargers have also contributed to the decline in EV demand there.

Lee Hang-Koo, head of the Jeonbuk Institute of Automotive Convergence Technology said most Koreans who wanted a Tesla car have already bought one.

In fact, some Koreans dislike Tesla and are concerned about the quality of production after learning that some of them are made in China.

Lee also mentioned that many people avoided buying vehicles in January because they were waiting for the government’s announcement of subsidies.

NEWS

Ferrari is spotted testing Tesla Model S in Maranello

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THE Prancing Horse brand is reported to be testing an electric-powered model near its manufacturing plant in Maranello.

Based on a video by the Varryx YouTube channel, Ferrari engineers were seen selecting a Tesla Model S Plaid equipped with high-voltage stickers and 19-inch rims.

This is part of Ferrari’s preparation to launch an electric vehicle expected to debut in 2025.

By using the Tesla Model S Plaid as the test car, Ferrari’s first electric vehicle is likely to feature two to three electric motors and power that could potentially match the Lanzador model from its competitor, Lamborghini.

For reference, the Tesla Model S Plaid is capable of producing up to 1,020 hp, while the Lamborghini Lanzador can reach up to 1 megawatt (1,341 hp).

In recent years, many parties have begun using Tesla electric cars to study the engineering behind EVs, such as Porsche, Volvo, and Ford.

This is because Tesla was among the earliest to enter the EV arena and one of the first to offer electric vehicles with a relatively long range.

Therefore, it makes sense for other manufacturers to try to learn from the strengths and weaknesses of Tesla to apply them to their own products.

NEWS

First recall campaign for Tesla Cybertruck, issue with warning lights on screen too small!

Just a few months out of the factory, the Tesla Cybertruck is now facing its first recall campaign. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 2.2 million Tesla vehicles built between 2012 and 2024 are being recalled due to issues with warning lights on the dashboard screen being too small.

“The Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights are displayed in a font size that is not appropriate. As a result, affected vehicles fail to meet the requirements of numbers 105 ‘Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems’ and 135 ‘Light Vehicle Brake Systems’ as set forth in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard regulations.”

It is understood that this recall campaign involves all 2,193,869 units of Tesla vehicles sold in the United States market.

Due to Tesla’s use of screens to replace analog gauges, owners do not need to take their vehicles to a Tesla service center; instead, they only need to await an over-the-air (OTA) update.

Engear Volt

1.6 million Tesla cars recalled in China over steering software issue

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The authorities in China have directed Tesla to recall approximately 1.6 million electric vehicles in the country. The recall is aimed at updating the Autopilot driving assistance function to reduce the risk of accidents.

This is due to the Autosteer system within the Autopilot function is prone to misuse by most Tesla drivers. The solution involves adding audio and visual warnings when the function is activated or deactivated.

According to Reuters report, the recall campaign involves all Tesla models sold in China, including the Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y.

The Autopilot function will be enhanced through over-the-air updates, eliminating the need for owners to send their cars to Tesla service centers.

Additionally, Tesla is also updating the door locking software involving 7,538 units of Model S and Model X in China due to concerns about doors opening automatically during accidents.

NEWS

BYD sold over 3 million NEV cars in 2023, beats Tesla in EV sales for Q4

WHILE Tesla maintains its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in 2023, its competitor, BYD, has set a new record as the leading new energy vehicle producer globally.

Throughout 2023, BYD successfully distributed approximately 3,024,417 new energy vehicles, including EVs, hybrids, and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

This achievement has placed BYD among the top 10 largest vehicle manufacturers in the world. Out of this total, 1.57 million units comprised electric vehicles (for comparison, Tesla sold 1.8 million units), while another 1.4 million consisted of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs).

In recent years, BYD has consistently narrowed the gap left by Tesla. In 2022, BYD’s sales figures were nearly 400,000 units lower than Tesla’s, but the difference was reduced by almost half in 2023.

Furthermore, in the fourth quarter of 2023, BYD successfully surpassed Tesla in EV sales, indicating a significant challenge ahead for the American EV manufacturer to maintain its leadership position in the coming year.

Engear Volt

Pre-production Porsche Taycan is 18 secs faster than Model S Plaid around Nurburgring

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Porsche is currently working on a new variant of the Taycan that offers better on-track performance compared to existing variants.

Although it’s not quite ready yet, the unnamed new variant has already put an impressive display of track prowess with a lap time of 7:07.55 minutes on the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit.

The lap time clocked by the pre-production car is a whopping 26 seconds ahead of the record set by the Taycan Turbo S and almost 18 seconds quicker than that of the Tesla Model S Plaid.

To illustrate the speed of the new variant at the Nurburgring, Porsche said it would finish lapping the 20.8 km circuit 1.3 km ahead of the Taycan Turbo S.

Driven by Lars Kern, the pre-production Taycan was equipped with a roll cage and bucket seats for safety reasons.

Details about the powertrain are undisclosed, but rumours suggest the variant comes with a tri-motor setup capable of generating a total system output of up to 1,000 hp.

An extra motor on the rear axle allows for better thermal management and advanced traction control.

As for the design, official images released by Porsche show a more aggressive design front bumper, a lip spoiler, as well as a rear spoiler. The wheels also appear to have a different design from the existing options.

According to Porsche, an onboard video of the complete lap will be published in mid-March.

NEWS

Tesla sold 1.8 million cars in 2023, 38 percent jump over previous year

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TESLA has just released the production and delivery numbers for 2023. For the fourth quarter of 2023, they produced 494,989 vehicles and delivered 484,507 vehicles to customers.

This brings Tesla’s total production for 2023 to 1,845,985 vehicles, while deliveries amounted to 1,808,581 units. In 2022, the electric vehicle (EV) maker reported production of 1.37 million vehicles and deliveries of 1.31 million units.

So, the new 2023 figures show a 35 percent increase in production and a 38 percent increase in deliveries year over year. In a report in October 2023, Tesla executives forecasted that the company would produce at least 1.8 million vehicles for the year. However, this figure represents a change from the previously expected 2 million.

Tesla produced 476,777 units of the Model 3 and Model Y in the fourth quarter, with 461,538 deliveries for these models.

They did not disclose figures for the Model S and X but categorized them as “other models.”

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Tesla also sold the updated version of the Model 3 sedan, the Highland, in several markets. Then in December, they also began deliveries of the newest EV, the Cybertruck, in the United States (US).

There were also no figures disclosed for the Cybertruck and Semi, the heavy-duty commercial truck produced in small numbers at the battery plant near Reno.

Tesla’s closest global competitor is BYD, which sold 3.02 million new energy vehicles in 2023, with 1.6 million being battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 1.4 million being hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

Engear Volt

Jiyue 07 is an EV sedan from Geely and Baidu, potential Tesla Model 3 rival?

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Geely seems very serious about competing with Tesla in the Chinese market. Following the introduction of the Jiyue 01 model as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y, the Chinese market is now seeing the arrival of the new Jiyue 07 model, a powerful electric fastback sedan that will challenge the Tesla Model 3.

The Jiyue 07 shares the same Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform used in the Volvo EX90, EX30, Polestar 4, and most Zeekr models.

The base 07 variant comes equipped with a 268 hp electric motor and a 71.4 kWh battery pack, while the all-wheel-drive version comes with twin electric motors producing 536 hp and a 100 kWh battery pack.

The exterior design of the 07 shares many similarities with the previously showcased SUV 01, featuring aggressive main headlights, curved LED bar, and similar rear light units.

Based on the teaser images provided earlier, the interior of the 07 features a minimalist layout, starting with a single elongated screen, followed by a yoke-style steering wheel design.

NEWS

Toyota RAV4 is the world’s best selling car, more than one million units sold

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JATO Dynamics has released the global sales report for the past year, with 79.4 million new vehicles sold worldwide. This figure represents a two percent decrease compared to 2021 for major markets such as North America, Europe, and China. Meanwhile, markets like India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa have seen an increase in sales.

However, the most intriguing information from the report is not related to market share. According to JATO’s data, the best-selling model worldwide is the Toyota RAV4, with over one million units delivered to customers. 43 percent of these were in the United States (US) and Canada.

Following closely is the Toyota Corolla with approximately 992,000 units sold last year, while the Tesla Model Y takes the third spot with 747,000 units in sales.

Overall, out of the top 10 best-selling models globally, five of them are Toyotas. Ford, Nissan, and Honda each have one model, while Tesla represents two models.

Looking at the above figures, it’s not surprising given that Toyota was the largest producer last year in terms of sales numbers. Toyota vehicles accounted for 13 out of 100 passenger cars purchased worldwide.

The Japanese manufacturer also recorded a 0.3 percent sales increase due to high demand from China, which is now the largest market ahead of the US and Japan.

Volkswagen Group is the second largest automotive conglomerate in the world, despite a 10 percent decrease in sales. Hyundai-Kia holds the third position, followed by Stellantis and General Motors.

The JATO report also highlights the fastest-growing automotive manufacturer, BYD. The Chinese company accounts for 1.5 percent of global sales and has now increased to 2.42 percent. The brand is now the second largest electric vehicle (EV) producer in the world after Tesla.