Tesla electric vehicle sales see a decline in Australia during June, similarly, Polestar experiences a decrease in sales as well.
In a positive turn of events, the Tesla Model Y is experiencing a significant resurgence in Australia, with sales substantially outperforming those of the previous year and reversing several months of decline seen earlier in 2025.
The Model Y SUV has been the primary driver of Tesla's sales rebound, as evidenced by its best monthly sales in 12 months in June 2025. The refreshed 'Juniper' variant of the Model Y, introduced in 2025, has been credited with boosting demand, contributing to the strong sales rebound after a poor April 2025 performance.
In May 2025, the Model Y accounted for most of Tesla’s sales in Australia, with 3,580 units sold out of a total 3,897 Tesla vehicles that month. This marked a year-over-year increase of 122.5% for Model Y sales compared to May 2024. June sales for the Model Y reached 3,547 units, reflecting an 18.96% increase year-over-year.
Despite the rebound, Tesla’s total sales for the first half of 2025 were down 38.8% compared to the same period in 2024, indicating that the recovery is still in progress but gaining momentum.
Tesla remains a top seller in the Australian EV market, despite only offering two models locally (Model 3 and Model Y). The Model Y is the second-best selling vehicle in Australia in the first half of 2025, outsold only by mainstream internal combustion vehicles such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
However, the sales figures for the Model Y in June 2022 did not meet the expectations of some Tesla bulls, who had predicted a higher number due to it being the last month in the quarter and the first full month with the new Model Y. Tesla sold 4,589 electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia in June 2022, a decrease of 2% compared to the same month in 2021.
In contrast, the Polestar 4 sold 174 units in June 2022, its highest this year, and the Polestar 3 sold 30 units in the same month. The Polestar 2, on the other hand, saw a decrease in sales, with 135 units sold in June 2022, down from 356 a year ago.
The lower sales of Tesla EVs in June 2022 are a topic of debate in EV circles, with increased competition from Chinese brands and Elon Musk's political interventions being potential factors under consideration.
Data from the FCAI, including figures from most of the other car makers operating in Australia, are expected to be released on Thursday. The Electric Vehicle Council, which publishes figures for Tesla and Polestar, showed a fall in June sales for both companies compared to the same month in 2021.
Australian electric vehicle sales by model in 2025 are expected to be published in a separate report. Giles Parkinson, the founder and editor of The Driven, and also the editor and founder of the Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites, owns a Tesla Model 3.
- The success of the Tesla Model Y is not limited to Australia, as its sales rebound is also mirrored in the global industry, boasting a best monthly sales figure in a year in June 2025.
- Amidst a competitive automotive landscape, the Model Y emerges as a significant player in the finance sector, accounting for most of Tesla's sales in Australia, and becoming the second-best selling vehicle in the first half of 2025.
- The technology sector plays a crucial role in the resurgence of the Model Y, as the refreshed 'Juniper' variant, introduced in 2025, boosts demand and contributes to the strong sales rebound, despite a poor April 2025 performance.
- The demand for electric-vehicles like the Model Y is not just evident in the transportation industry, but it also influences lifestyle choices in Australia, as evidenced by its popularity, outselling several mainstream internal combustion vehicles such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
