Tesla posts record Q3 sales as U.S. EV tax credit rush boosts global demand

Tesla sales hit a record 497,099 vehicles in Q3 as buyers rushed before the U.S. tax credit expired according to reports. Despite the surge, experts warn the gains may not last amid rising competition.

Tesla’s third-quarter global sales jumped 29% from the previous quarter and 7% year-over-year, marking the first year-over-year gain in 2025. The spike came as American buyers raced to secure a $7,500 federal EV (electric vehicles) tax credit before it expired on 30 September.

CEO Elon Musk briefly saw his net worth top $500 billion, making him the first person to surpass the half-trillion-dollar mark, though shares later dipped, reducing his net worth to $490 billion.

Tesla does not break down regional sales, but other automakers also reported record U.S. EV sales in Q3. GM more than doubled its EV sales, Ford saw a 30% rise, and Hyundai’s sales doubled, though it cut prices on its IONIQ 5 EV model. Analysts expect further price adjustments as competition grows.

Despite the quarterly boost, Tesla’s year-to-date sales are down 6% from 2024, and the company faces mounting competition globally. Chinese automaker BYD’s EV passenger car sales rose 31% in Q3, giving it a total of 1.6 million units this year, surpassing Tesla’s 1.2 million. BYD is positioned to become the world’s largest EV maker, even without U.S. sales.

Experts say Tesla’s challenges come from political backlash against Musk, growing Chinese competition in Europe, and an increasingly crowded EV market.

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