Tesla continues to lead the electric vehicle market but faces challenges, including potential competition from BYD and a drop in registrations. Controversial comments from Elon Musk have led to mixed public reactions and a modest increase in Tesla listings online, yet most are for accessories rather than vehicles. Experts suggest that while some owners may sell their cars due to concerns about vandalism or to upgrade, the overall impact on used Tesla sales appears minimal.
Tesla is currently navigating a challenging landscape. While it retained its position as the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer in 2024, it faces potential competition from BYD. Notably, last year marked a decline in Tesla’s registrations for the first time, despite the Model Y likely maintaining its status as the best-selling car globally.
Surge in Resales?
In recent months, Tesla’s registration numbers have seen a significant downturn. This decline can be attributed to multiple factors, including controversial remarks made by Elon Musk. His opinions have sparked mixed reactions among the public, as highlighted by a recent survey. There are even claims that he has urged owners to sell their cars quickly. This has drawn attention from critics of the billionaire, leading to instances of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles.
This situation raises the question: Are more drivers turning to online platforms, such as Le Bon Coin, to sell their cars? A quick search for “Tesla” on this site yields around 10,000 results. This number is striking, but does it truly reflect the number of Teslas available for sale?
Not quite. A closer inspection reveals the need to filter the search results by selecting the “cars” category, which shows that there are actually only 3,000 active listings. This figure, as industry expert Bertrand Moreau points out on social network X (formerly Twitter), represents merely 1.6% of all Teslas
This is a relatively small proportion. The majority of the listings are for accessories and other related items, not vehicles. However, it is worth noting that the number of car listings has seen a slight uptick in recent weeks. Is this increase a direct result of Elon Musk’s actions and the ensuing protests? The answer is not so straightforward.
No Cause for Alarm
As the expert stated, “we cannot say that at the moment ‘Tesla owners are massively reselling their cars’“. So, what accounts for this modest rise in listings? Several factors may be at play. Yes, some owners might have decided to part ways with their electric vehicles in reaction to Musk’s comments, either in protest or out of concern for potential vandalism.
Alternatively, it’s quite possible that owners are simply looking to upgrade, potentially to the new Model Y version set to launch in January 2025. Currently, there are just over 600 listings for the electric SUV. This is not unexpected, given its popularity and the natural flow of second-hand availability. However, it’s important to note that used car prices are on the decline, as discussed in a previous article.
Ultimately, there is no immediate cause for concern regarding used Tesla sales. While a portion of owners may be selling their cars due to Musk’s influence, as mentioned by Actu.fr, this appears to be a relatively small segment. Meanwhile, the new Model Y is experiencing remarkable success in China, with over 200,000 orders placed since its debut. However, it remains uncertain if this trend will replicate itself in France.