The new Fiat New 500 EV lead Stellantis to the top spot.
Tesla’s sales and output were affected by the Chinese coronavirus shutdowns.
Despite this, the Model Y has become Europe’s best-selling premium vehicle.
Stellantis has plenty to be proud of as they have, for the first time ever, beating Tesla at its own game. Despite this, they still trail behind Volkswagen as the automaker with the most EV sales in Europe. Their efforts are in large part being supported by the new Fiat New 500 EV which was the best-selling full-electric car in Western Europe in the last quarter.
Fiat New 500 | Photo: Fiat
Tesla isn’t suffering from a lack of buyers to explain their current position. The sole reason for their “decline” was a downturn in output from their factory in Shanghai, which builds Model 3 sedans for European markets. The Chinese coronavirus lockdowns halted production affecting deliveries.
Despite the setback, the Tesla Model Y became Europe’s #1 best-selling premium vehicle (not only EVs) as it passed the Mercedes-Benz GLC in the first half of 2022. So strong is the momentum behind the Y that analysts believe that it will take overall honours in the luxury segments in 2022.
Stellantis remains undeterred in its objective to become the #1 EV provider for Europe by outselling both Tesla and Volkswagen.
“We are head on fighting for the top spot in terms of BEV sales in the European market,” CEO Carlos Tavares told analysts on Stellantis’ first-half earnings call last week as reported by Automotive News Europe.
Stellantis has many new EVs from Citroen, DS, Fiat, and Opel/Vauxhall which should help keep them in the running.
