Electric car king Tesla is going mainstream

WITH almost half a million vehicles sold worldwide in 2020, Tesla has unquestionably passed a milestone, with a record sales peak of 180,600 models sold in the final quarter of the year. As the world leader for all-electric cars, Tesla is more than ever gaining ground as a mainstream car-maker and one to be taken seriously.

Tesla sold some 499,535 cars in 2020, achieving its goal of selling half a million vehicles that year. Note that the Model 3, the firm's most economically accessible model, represents almost three quarters of sales, with 365,000 models sold.

When it comes to electric vehicles, Tesla has sold more than twice as many cars as its nearest rival, Volkswagen (220,220 vehicles). French automaker Renault has sold just over 124,000 cars, principally its ZOE model, in Europe.

With ever-increasing sales figures and healthy stock prices, Tesla is currently taking shape as a key player in the auto market, even if the firm was still viewed as a something of a black sheep not so long ago. Now, the manufacturer just has to stay on track, shifting upwards of 500,000 vehicles a year, to maintain its newfound status as a mainstream carmaker.