Tesla has officially sold more than 3 million Model 3 units worldwide since the electric sedan first launched back in 2017 — a major milestone for the automaker that helped bring electric vehicles into the mainstream. According to Tesla, that averages out to one Model 3 sold about every 90 seconds over the last seven years.
The achievement was confirmed by Tesla on Chinese social media platform Weibo, where the automaker also highlighted the Model 3’s status as the best-selling pure electric sedan globally for seven consecutive years. Tesla China’s post noted the car sells at a rate of one every 1.5 minutes, reinforcing the enduring popularity of what was once dubbed Tesla’s “mass-market” vehicle.
Originally unveiled in 2016 and entering production the following year, the Model 3 was Tesla’s ambitious attempt at an affordable electric car with premium features. It helped the company scale production, streamline manufacturing processes, and ultimately achieve sustainable profitability.
Over the years, the Model 3 has garnered significant recognition. Just last month, it was named the most “American-made” car of 2025 in Cars.com‘s annual American-Made Index. It has also received widespread praise for its exceptional safety, earning top marks from the NHTSA and being recognized as one of the safest vehicles ever tested in the U.S.
Tesla continues to promote the Model 3 in key markets like China, where the company plans to launch a new Model 3 Plus variant in the near future. The EV pioneer is currently also offering several promos on the Model 3 in the U.S., including 18 months of free Supercharging for cash purchases and 0% APR for up to 60 months if you also purchase the Full Self-Driving (FSD) add-on.
With more updates on the horizon — including potential design refreshes and hardware upgrades — the Model 3’s legacy as a trailblazing EV is far from over.
