Tesla Model 3 Becomes the UK’s Second Best-Selling New Car in 2021

The United Kingdom (U.K.) has seen the Tesla Model 3 top sales for a given month before, but in a new achievement, the U.S. automaker’s flagship sedan has shown its longevity in the market with second-place sales in the year overall.

The Tesla Model 3 has become the second best-selling vehicle in the U.K. in 2021, according to The Times.

Landing only behind the affordable Vauxhall Corsa, a hatchback starting at just £15,485 ($21,016 USD), the Tesla Model 3 comes at a starting price of £42,990 ($58,346 USD) in the U.K.

The Tesla Model 3 sold just under 36,000 units total in the U.K. in 2021, with 9,290 sold in December alone – the latter figure representing 36 percent of all vehicles registered in December.

Out of all U.K. sales in 2021, battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) made up a total of 11.7 percent market share, with about 190,000 battery-electric vehicles sold.

Trade Body Chief Executive Mike Hawes said the amount of EVs on the market is expected to grow significantly in 2022, though supply will continue to be a challenge.

In a statement, Hawes said, “Electric car take up will continue but 2022 will be about supply — the UK has to compete to attract product allocation by manufacturers — and assuring customers that they can live with electric cars in the provision, cost and reliability of public charging which we know is not as good as other countries.”

Tesla also made its Model Y SUV available in the United Kingdom (U.K.) in October.