Aux États-Unis, l'inflation galopante profite à la Tesla Model Y

Sales of the Model Y are increasing and could make the electric SUV Tesla the best-selling vehicle in the United States in 2024.

Soaring inflation in the United States is Tesla’s best ally, and the phenomena occurring in the automotive sector is intriguing. To regain purchasing power, Americans are developing a genuine interest in electric vehicles, also aided by substantial tax incentives currently in place across the Atlantic. The decarbonization of the most polluting country in the world is thus accelerated by the shift to electric vehicles, which have significantly lower production costs.

In the land of Uncle Sam, the price of a gallon of gasoline (or 3.78 liters) has risen on average from $2.19 in 2020 to $3.40 in 2024 across the entire territory, marking a 55% increase. In 2022, at the onset of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the price of a gallon even reached an average of $5. Prices that may raise eyebrows in Europe, as converted to liters and euros, this means about €0.80 per liter… on average. Gasoline prices in the United States generally include federal and state taxes. The displayed price at the pump includes a federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, along with state-specific taxes, which vary widely. For example, some states like California impose very high taxes (up to 53.3 cents per gallon), while others like Alaska have much lower taxes (around 8.95 cents per gallon).

However, in the United States, the car is central to daily life due to the vast distances that need to be covered, as well as a deeply rooted affinity for large vehicles. And this is where things are changing rapidly!

Goodbye gas-powered pickups?

Car sales in the United States from January to August 2024 reveal an unprecedented shift: the evaporation of gas-powered pickups. Historically the best-selling vehicle in the USA, the Ford F-150 has now fallen to third place, far behind the Toyota RAV4 (first) and the Tesla Model Y. The latter, despite a decrease in sales compared to 2023, is still climbing the ranks, aided by a drop in sales from its competitors. So much so that it could become the best-selling vehicle overall in the United States in 2024.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has fallen to fifth place… while the Dodge Ram has literally disappeared from the Top 10. This has never been seen before! These fuel-guzzling dinosaurs are therefore the first victims of rising fuel prices and the emergence of electric counterparts like the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, or Rivian R1.

Yet, this current state of sales in America is somewhat misleading. Despite substantial discounts to support its business dynamism, Tesla is facing a significant decline in sales. From January to the end of June 2023, Tesla sold 343,001 cars, compared to 214,697 in the same period in 2024. In July and August, the enforcement of a 100% customs barrier on Chinese vehicles gave a boost to Tesla, but the trend is clear: customers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the restyled Model Y, promised for late 2024 to early 2025.

In the end, less = more for Tesla, which will certainly take pride in a performance that is not truly a performance. Because the American manufacturer is selling fewer cars while the electric vehicle market grows…