Tesla’s electric vehicle sales in the US have been a topic of discussion recently, with reports showing a decline in sales compared to the previous year. However, the accuracy of these reports has come into question, as Tesla is known for being secretive about its sales figures.
One recent report by Cox Automotive estimated that Tesla delivered 128,100 vehicles in the US in the first quarter of 2025, representing an 8.6% decrease from the same period in 2024. This decline is particularly notable given that overall EV sales in the US were up by 10% during the same quarter.
The lack of transparency from Tesla regarding its sales figures makes it difficult for analysts to accurately assess the company’s performance. Unlike other automakers that provide detailed breakdowns of sales by region and model, Tesla only releases a global delivery report, making it challenging to determine its exact sales in the US.
To get a more accurate picture of Tesla’s US deliveries, analysts often rely on registration data from other markets where Tesla operates. By subtracting the number of vehicles registered in these markets from Tesla’s reported global deliveries, a rough estimate can be made for US deliveries.
In the case of the first quarter of 2025, Tesla reported global deliveries of 336,681 vehicles. By subtracting the number of registrations in markets outside the US and Canada (212,024 vehicles), it is estimated that Tesla delivered around 124,657 vehicles in the US and Canada during that period.
This estimate is lower than the figure provided by Cox Automotive, suggesting that Tesla’s US sales may have experienced a more significant decline than initially reported. Factors such as the Model Y changeover and record inventory levels have likely contributed to this decline.
Looking ahead, there are concerns about Tesla’s demand in the US, particularly due to brand damage caused by Elon Musk and the lack of backlogs for new Model Y orders. While deliveries may see an increase in the second quarter, they are expected to be lower than the same period in 2024. Some analysts believe that Tesla’s deliveries may decrease overall in 2025, despite previous expectations of growth.
Overall, the accuracy of Tesla’s US sales figures remains a point of contention, highlighting the challenges of assessing the company’s performance in the absence of transparent reporting practices.
