Tesla breaks into America’s bestselling cars list for 2022, but trucks still dominate

DETROIT – Pickup trucks again led America’s best-selling vehicles last year, but Tesla Entered the top 10 for the first time as the Covid-era shakeup continues, among other popular models.

Data and analytics firm Motor Intelligence reports that the electric Tesla Model Y crossover was the sixth bestselling vehicle in the country in 2022, surpassing the GMC Sierra pickup, the Honda CR-V crossover and other longtime top sellers.

Tesla doesn’t report regional or individual vehicle sales, so the data is approximate. Altogether, Tesla reported delivery Approximately 1.25 million Model Y and Model 3 vehicles globally in 2022. According to Motor Intelligence, the Model 3 ranked 13th in sales with 211,641 units.

“It’s no surprise Tesla ranks so highly,” said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst at Cox Automotive. “The brand, despite all the news and stuff, still dominates the EV market and it dominates the luxury market. That strength comes from the Model Y.”

Ford F-Series remains most successful, despite posting its lowest sales since 2012 country’s best selling vehicle America’s Best Selling Truck for the 41st year and 46th year in a row. The Chevrolet Silverado then regained its old second place sold by ram Pickup in 2021.

Parts and supply chain problems have caused sporadic plant shutdowns for automakers at different times since the start of the COVID pandemic, which has changed vehicle sales rankings over the years.

“We’ve seen so much volatility in sales and inventory,” Krebs said. “In 2022, the year started with very high demand… but then we saw things turn around towards the end of the year. There was a slight softening in demand while inventory was rising, not across the board.”

Automotive Executive & Analyst are cautiously optimistic U.S. industry will return to more normalcy this year regardless of recession fears, rising interest rates and other economic concerns. Last year, the industry projected sales of between 13.7 million and 13.9 million vehicles, according to industry analysts. A typical year before the pandemic saw sales exceed 17 million.

Here are the 10 best-selling vehicles in America by unit sales for 2022, according to Motor Intelligence.