World’s Top Selling Electric Vehicles in January 2022

World EV sales are growing rapidly throughout the world.  It continued to accelerate in January, as well as signalling its proximity to the coming days.

Tesla Model Y New # 1 in Competitive Market

Registrations for the 603,007 more units in January increased year-on-year (YoY) by 87%.  The overpopulated Chinese market is a key driver of growth, as it can also see a list of the top customers and best sellers.

Share-the-War, 2022 Plugin Vehicles began with a 10% share of the global auto market, already over the final mark of last year’s 9%!  We could end this year at around 15%, which means the global auto market is already firmly in the disruptive sector this year.

Last month, BEVs jumped 94% year-on-year and PHEVs grew 72%, largely thanks to the BEV-friendly Chinese market, which represents two-thirds of all global sales in January.

24 months ago, we had only 2 Chinese EVs on the table and then 9 in January 2021, but with the current rise in China, we now have 17 representatives in the top 20!  Seventeen!  And the three foreigners (Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, and Volkswagen ID4) can be regarded as honorary Chinese EVs because the bulk of their production is found in China.  Therefore, it is not surprising that the current global top 20 looks like China’s top 20.

Speaking of Tesla, looking at the table of best-selling models, there is some good news and some bad news for US automakers.  On the one hand, Model Y started the race at # 1, earning its best score in the first month of the quarter, the month of record delivery at the end of March.  It has been winning the crossover race in terms of global sales for 12 months in a row now.  The Model 3, on the other hand, has its lowest score since April 2021, starting the year at just 5.  This continues the trend towards its growth rate flat, which we have already seen at the end of last year.  All of this means that Tesla’s predicted growth this year will most likely be the result of Model Y, with the rest of the team providing small improvements to the total.

In the runner-up position, we have the Wooling Mini EV, which has a significant drop in sales (-27% YYY).  Looks like a little EV is suffering from the recent Copycat competitors # 10 Cherry QQ Ice Cream.  In just 3 months on the market, ice cream is already gaining 10,000 units per month.  SAIC may have invented the Holy Grail of EVs in the city, but now it seems to have to share … which raises the question: Who was the first person to sell this EV concept outside its local market?  SGMW?  Cherie?  Anyone else?  I mean, both SAIC (via MG) and GM are well established around the world.  But if they take longer, there is no doubt that Cherry will launch it in already well established markets such as Latin America.

In last place on the podium, we had BYD QUINN PLUS PHEV, with a record 18,449 registrations, while another BYD, Song PHEV, with record performance (16,415 units) actually had four record points in the top 20, 7 BYDs.  Despite the above, the # 8 Dolphin continued to ramp up to 10,602 units this time, while the Tang earned a PHEV record of 8,853 registrations.

Another model that achieved record results was the # 20 GAC Aion Y, which had 6,415 registrations last month.  The short and sweet MPV is set to become a familiar face here.

Outside of the Top 20, another EV startup from China goes to the Leap Motor T03, earning a record 6,007 registrations.  The best-selling EV not in China is the Hyundai Ioniq 5, gaining 5,716 registrations.  It has managed to outperform the Kia Niro EV (5,271 registrations) in this particular sub-category.

Manufacturers: BYD starts next

In January, BYD won the monthly manufacturer title, thanks to the impressive 93,000 registrations of its long and ever-expanding lineup.

Tesla was pushed to second place, but overall it was a good month, indicating that the best first month of the quarter was set for another record month in March.  Taking into account the rest of the quarter, the margin # 1 BYD benefits are not significant (42,000 units), and by the end of March, # 1 will definitely go to Tesla.  The question at the time is: How far will BYD be by the end of March?  At the time the gap was around 50,000 units or more, despite the erosion of the plugin market share, we can say that Tesla will have another walk in the park this year.  However, if BYD manages to stay below that threshold, we may have an interesting race on our hands.  On the one hand, Tesla Giga Texas and Giga Berlin will go online.  On the other hand, 2022 is the year BYD begins to export significant amounts of EVs.  Bring popcorn, because it will (probably) start to be fun!

But the most significant aspect of last month’s manufacturer’s ranking is the dominance of Chinese automakers in these top 20.  There are 11 brands in the top 20, three of which achieved record results in January.  Three automakers hit record monthly results: # 8 Cherry,  # 13 Chang’an, and # 19 Hojon, another Chinese EV startup to its success  Is indebted to the compact crossover lineup.  Behind Hozon’s crossover success, it is now becoming more ambitious.  It is preparing to release the Neta S, a sleek mid-sized sedan that hopes to run head-to-head with the best in the segment.

Speaking of Chinese EV startups, we have three of them in the top 20, leading the XPeng pack at # 17 – thanks to 12,986 registrations.  Li Auto is at # 18 and Hozon is at # 19.  These companies have surpassed their infancy survival tests and are now increasing production (and their portfolios).

Outside of the Top 20, we have a Chinese company that is kind of an elephant in the room.  Geely is finally increasing sales for their respective smaller brands (Lynk & Co, Zeekr, etc.) to decent volumes (10,751 registrations, new record).  The largest Chinese manufacturer in the automotive business has finally found its mojo in the EV category. 

February is said to be the slowest selling month in China, with a couple of legacy brands expected to rebound in the top 20 next month.

Finally, when looking at OEMs, BYD (15.5%) starts with Shanghai Auto (SAIC + SGMW) at 2nd (8.8%) – slightly ahead of Tesla (8.5%) and Volkswagen Group (8.5%).  Geely-Volvo (6.2%) ranks 5th in the distance.

But don’t be surprised if Geely catches the top four.  It does not have a domestic market to grow, but thanks to the existing Volvo global dealership infrastructure, Geely’s export brands, Link & Co and Zeeker, are more likely to succeed in their overseas European and American markets.

FAQ

Who is leading the Electric Vehicle Market?

Tesla is firmly in the lead

What is the best selling EV in the world?

Number One EV is easily the Tesla Model Y,

Who sells the most EV cars in the world?

The Tesla Model 3 is the most popular plug-in electric vehicle in the world, with worldwide sales of 201,000 units in 2021.

How many EV cars will be sold in 2021?

About 6.5 million EVs.

What new EVs are coming in 2022?

Here are all the EVs that will arrive in

2022 Rivian R1S.

2022 BMW i4 eDrive40.

2022 BMW iX xDrive50.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro. Cadillac Lyric Concept.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB.

2023 Toyota BZ4X.

2023 Nissan Area ……..