A Tesla Model Y on display inside a Tesla store at the Westfield Culver City shopping mall in Culver City, California, U.S., on Thursday, April 14, 2022.
Bing Guan | Bloomberg | Getty Images
DETROIT — Pickup trucks again led America's top-selling vehicles last year, but Tesla broke into the top 10 for the first time as a Covid-era shakeup among other popular models continues.
Data and analytics firm Motor Intelligence reports the electric Tesla Model Y crossover was the sixth bestselling vehicle in the country in 2022, beating out the GMC Sierra pickup, Honda CR-V crossover and other longstanding top sellers.
Tesla does not report regional or individual vehicle sales, so the data is estimated. Overall, Tesla reported delivering about 1.25 million Model Y and Model 3 vehicles globally in 2022. The Model 3 ranked 13th in sales at 211,641 units, according to Motor Intelligence.
"It's no surprise that Tesla ranks that high," said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst for Cox Automotive. "The brand, despite all the news and stuff, still dominates the EV market and it dominates the luxury market. A lot of that strength comes from the Model Y."
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Despite posting its lowest sales since 2012, the Ford F-Series was the country's top-selling vehicle for the 41st year and America's best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years. The Chevrolet Silverado regained its longstanding second-place spot after being outsold by the Ram pickup in 2021.
Parts and supply chain problems since the onset of the Covid pandemic have caused sporadic plant shutdowns at different times for automakers, leading to a shakeup in vehicle sales rankings for the past couple of years.
"We have seen so much fluctuation in sales and inventory," Krebs said. "In 2022, the year started out with very high demand ... but then we saw things shift by the end of the year. Demand seemed to be softening a bit while inventory, not across the board, was rising."
Automotive executives and analysts are cautiously optimistic that the U.S. industry will normalize more this year regardless of recessionary fears, rising interest rates and other economic concerns. Last year the industry was estimated to have sold between 13.7 million and 13.9 million vehicles, according to industry analysts. A typical year prior to the pandemic saw more than 17 million in sales.
Here are the 10 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. by unit sales for 2022, according to Motor Intelligence.
1. Ford F-Series: 653,957 units – down 9.9% from 2021
2023 Ford Super Duty F-350 Limited
Ford
2. Chevrolet Silverado: 513,354 – down 1.2%
2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
GM
3. Ram pickup: 468,344 – down 17.7%
A RAM vehicle is displayed at the New York Auto Show, April 13, 2022.
Scott Mlyn | CNBC
4. Toyota RAV4: 399,941 – down 1.9%
2022 Toyota RAV4
Toyota
5. Toyota Camry: 295,201 – down 5.9%
2022 Toyota Camry
Toyota
6. Tesla Model Y: 252,000 – up 32.4%
Tesla Model Y
Courtesy: Tesla
7. GMC Sierra: 241,522 – down 3%
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate
GM
8. Honda CR-V: 238,155 – down 34.1%
2023 Honda CR-V
Honda
9. Toyota Tacoma: 237,323 – down 6%
2022 Toyota Tacoma
Toyota
10. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 223,345 – down 15.5%
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
As an enthusiast in automotive trends and market dynamics, I've closely followed the evolution of the automotive industry, especially with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and their impact on traditional vehicle sales. I have access to extensive data, trends, and insights up to January 2022, and I've studied various market reports, company publications, and expert analyses on the subject.
Tesla Model Y in 2022 U.S. Vehicle Sales: The article highlights the significant achievement of Tesla's Model Y by securing the sixth position in the list of best-selling vehicles in the U.S. for 2022. This is a testament to Tesla's growing influence in the automotive market, particularly with its electric vehicles. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts and vehicles mentioned:
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Tesla Model Y: A crossover electric vehicle produced by Tesla. It's positioned as a more affordable SUV compared to Tesla's luxury Model X. Its popularity is driven by factors such as range, performance, and the brand value associated with Tesla.
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Tesla Model 3: While the Model Y achieved the sixth position, the Model 3 ranked 13th in sales for 2022. The Model 3 is Tesla's compact sedan and has been instrumental in bringing EVs to a broader audience due to its relatively lower price point compared to other Tesla models.
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Traditional Top Sellers: The list also includes familiar names such as the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram pickup, Toyota RAV4, and Toyota Camry. These vehicles have historically dominated U.S. vehicle sales due to their reliability, brand loyalty, and market presence.
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Industry Fluctuations: The automotive industry has witnessed significant fluctuations in recent years, primarily due to challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainties. These factors have reshuffled sales rankings and impacted production capabilities for various automakers.
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Market Dynamics: The article touches upon how demand and inventory levels have shifted throughout 2022. While the year started with high demand, certain economic factors and supply chain issues influenced the market dynamics by year-end.
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Economic Concerns: Executives and analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the automotive industry's normalization, despite looming concerns such as recessionary fears, rising interest rates, and other economic challenges.
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Sales Figures for Top 10 Vehicles in 2022:
- Ford F-Series: 653,957 units
- Chevrolet Silverado: 513,354 units
- Ram pickup: 468,344 units
- Toyota RAV4: 399,941 units
- Toyota Camry: 295,201 units
- Tesla Model Y: 252,000 units
- GMC Sierra: 241,522 units
- Honda CR-V: 238,155 units
- Toyota Tacoma: 237,323 units
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: 223,345 units
In summary, the 2022 sales data underscores the shifting dynamics in the U.S. automotive market, with Tesla's Model Y making significant strides alongside traditional best-sellers. The industry continues to navigate challenges while adapting to evolving consumer preferences and market conditions.
