The data shared by EV Volumes confirms that the slowdown trend in the sale of new models equipped with combustion engines continues, with gasoline and diesel losing ground to electrified mechanics. And even among these, conventional hybrids saw demand fall for the fourth month in a row.
On the other hand, battery-only (BEV) powered models continue to grow in sales, having already accounted for 10% of the market in July. According to José Pontes, from EV Volumes, global sales of this type of vehicle increased, in that month, by 73% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching more than half a million units (the estimate is around 556,000 units). Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) marketed a total of 222,000 vehicles, which translates into a 36% increase compared to 2021with a market share of 4%.
After all, models with rechargeable batteries claimed 14% of the market, in that month, totaling 778,062 new registrations. neither more nor less than one increase of 61% compared to July 2021 and that leaves the count, in the accumulated of the first seven months of 2022, already very close to the total sales of the 12 months of last year. This is because, in 2021, 6.5 million BEVs and light PHEVs were sold, while new registrations of this type in 2022 reached 4.9 million units (in just over half a year).
Tesla entrenched by Chinese manufacturers
In the world’s largest car market, China, it is not surprising that local manufacturers dominate the classification of BEV and PHEV sales. Hence, Tesla appears precisely between two Asian colossi, namely BYD, which leads the year accumulated, and SAIC-GM-Wulling. But the fact that the manufacturer led by Elon Musk is dedicated exclusively to BEVs and, even so, manages to be in 2nd position, suggests that Tesla models will necessarily be among the most sought after worldwide. EV Volumes data bears this out, but we’ll get there.
In July, the top 10 manufacturers that sell the most vehicles with rechargeable batteries leaves no room for doubt as to the weight of the Chinese. BYD, GAC, SAIC-GM-Wulling, Geely, Chery and Dongfeng leave only a few opportunities for entry by manufacturers well known to European consumers. The six Chinese seals come together only four insignia known to Europeans. Tesla and Volkswagen occupy positions 2 and 3 in the table with 52,084 and 46,400 units, respectively, and BMW and Hyundai, in positions 8 and 10. The Germans delivered 24,175 vehicles, while the South Koreans sold 18,348 BEVs and PHEVs.
Tesla and Volkswagen broke records. What are they worth?
The seventh month of 2022 was the first for Tesla and Volkswagen, for different reasons. For the North American brand, because the Tesla Model Y achieved its best result in the first month of a quarter. For Volkswagen, because the ID.4 attracted 19,035 buyers, a record never before achieved and that even allowed it to surpass the Tesla Model 3 (17,246 units), confirming the appetite for SUVs to the detriment of saloons.
Nevertheless, EITHER classification of the 10 best-selling models in July, considering BEVs and PHEVs, it is a scale that again tilts towards the Chinese. Gold, silver and bronze are in this “house”, in the hands of BYD Song, Wulling Hong Guan Mini EV and BYD Qin Plus, with the two BYD models accumulating sales of exclusively electric variants and also PHEV. Otherwise, only Tesla and Volkswagen manage to get into this count of the 10 best-selling models in July equipped with rechargeable batteries. The North American manufacturer places the Tesla Model Y in 4th position (29,829 units) and the Tesla Model 3 appears in 9th place, preceded by the Volkswagen ID.4. In other words, there are seven Chinese emblems on the list of the most wanted BEVs and PHEVs in July.
This evident dominance of the Chinese ends up, however, being diluted if we consider the sales in the accumulated of the year. In the first seven months of 2022, Tesla manages to take the lead with the Model Y (344,928 units) and with the Model 3, the 3rd best-selling rechargeable model worldwide, having traded 236,518 units. In the middle, there is a Chinese competitor that, except for the battery, has little or nothing to do with its North American rivals. We refer to the small Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV, which delivered a total of 244,961 units, which places it in 2nd place among the best-selling BEVs and PHEVs worldwide. As a curiosity, you can see below how this vehicle impresses in terms of safety.
It should be noted that although the classification of EV volumes include PHEV, all three podium positions are occupied exclusively by BEV, with Tesla putting nearly 600,000 cars on the road, between the Model Y and Model 3 alone, which together generated 581,446 new registrations in July. This despite the semiconductor crisis, locks in China due to the pandemic and despite the fact that the Tesla factory in Germany is still not reaching the expected pace.
Considering the 20 best models with rechargeable batteries sold worldwide, two absences and two presences stand out. Neither BMW nor Mercedes make the list, but South Korean Hyundai and Kia are ahead of even Ford. Volkswagen guarantees a place in the first half of the table with ID.4. However, the German SUV is still (very) far from the target of 500,000 units/year. See in the opening photo gallery how each of these brands ranks among a handful of Chinese manufacturers.
Source: Observadora
