The Tesla Model Y invasion of Europe has officially started
This became quite evident as the first deliveries of the all-electric crossover were reported in several European territories such as Germany and Norway, both by electric vehicle advocates and Tesla’s local staff.
Among the first Model Y deliveries in Europe was in Dortmund-Holzwickede, Germany, with Senior Tesla advisor Can Dogan posting an image on LinkedIn of a blue Model Y being handed over to a customer. Interestingly enough, the first Model Y delivery in Germany happened at a site that used to be a facility operated by Porsche. Today, the sprawling location hosts Tesla deliveries.
The same was true in Norway, which recently received its first shipment of Model Ys for the local market. Tesla Norway Senior Content and Programs Manager Even Sandvold Roland noted that the vehicles being unloaded in Oslo would be transported to different areas across the country. As per a report from local news agency Tek.no, Tesla has reportedly rented Varemessa in Lillestrøm, a massive location that is typically used for trade fairs, as a likely location for Model Y deliveries.
Roland, for his part, highlighted that Tesla would be working extremely hard to get the vehicles to their owners as quickly as possible. He also explained that the recent Model Y shipment is just one of many. “It is important to keep what we promised to the customers, and we have worked hard and will work hard to ensure that those who have ordered get a car. This is a Norwegian car that many are interested in,” he said.
The Tesla Model Y that are currently being delivered in Europe are vehicles produced in Gigafactory Shanghai in China. This is a strategy that has been highlighted by the company in its Q2 2021 Update Letter, with Tesla stating that Giga Shanghai would be its primary vehicle export hub. Considering that its role has increased significantly, Tesla China has been updating its Model Y lines in the facility, to great effect. Just recently, it has been reported that Giga Shanghai is now capable of producing 1,000 Model Y per week.
Elon Musk, for his part, seems very confident about the Model Y’s potential. Back in April, Musk noted that the Model Y could very well be the world’s best-selling vehicle based on revenue in 2022. By 2023, Musk noted that the Model Y could probably be the world’s best-selling vehicle by total number of units sold annually by 2023.
Norway record
Less than a week since its arrival, the Tesla Model Y sales have topped the charts with 790 registrations in August—as of this writing.
Norway’s constantly updating registration numbers provide a glimpse into how well the Model Y is being received in a key European EV market. As of this writing, Model Y registrations have effectively beat registrations for the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Model Ys domination in Norway’s registration chart reveals Tesla’s demand in the country.
Tesla seems prepared for the Model Y’s domination in Norway, too. Tesla Norway AS signed a contract with AS Merko Ehitus Group to design and construct the second stage of the Tesla service center in Oslo from September 2021 to February 2022. The contract entails renovating and reconstructing a former logistics building into a service center for Tesla vehicles. Tesla Norway’s contract with Merko Ehitus Group is valued at €4.1 million ($4.82 million), plus value-added tax.
Also notable is the Tesla Model 3, which is Norway’s fourth most registered vehicle in August thus far. The Model 3’s performance should be highlighted because it is a sedan that still tops the charts, despite going up against crossovers like the VW ID.4, Mustang Mach-E, and Tesla’s own Model Y.
The crossover category is steadily growing in the global automobile market. More people prefer crossovers over sedans due to their utility and general versatility. So, the Tesla Model 3 taking fourth place in Norway’s registrations is quite a feat, especially considering it beat SUVs from legacy OEMs like the Audi e-tron and the Audi Q4 e-tron.
Tesla’s dominance in Norway is significant because the country is one of the first to report electric car registrations beating ICE car registrations. Norway is close to reaching Tesla’s goal for the automotive part of the company. In July, most new passenger car sales were zero-emission vehicles. Nettavisen calculated that nearly 16 electric vehicles were sold in Norway for every diesel car in July.
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