Global plugin vehicle registrations were up 28% in March 2023 compared to March 2022. There were 1,097,000 registrations, making it the second best month ever for plugin electric vehicles, only behind December 2022. In the end, plugins represented 16% share of the overall auto market . This means that the global automotive market is in theInterestingly, plugless hybrids also surpassed the 1 million mark in March, rising to 1,004,000 units.
On the legacy model front, Volkswagen Group models were the stars. Besides the usual presence of the VW ID.4, which ended the month in #9, the VW ID.3 surged to #13 thanks to 11,674 registrations. Also, the Audi Q4 e-tron got its first top 20 presence, in #18, thanks to a record 10,142 registrations.
, there was nothing new on the podium, with the Tesla Model Y ruling supreme above the BYD Song. The Chinese SUV did keep enough distance from the Tesla Model 3 to resist its end-of-quarter peak and keep the silver medal. While BYD’s flagship models seem to be losing charge, Denza’s D9 model is on the rise, with the large MPV from BYD’s premium brand jumping four positions, to #14. Will it be able to beat the current full size leader BYD Han? Doubt it. But having scored close to 25,000 units in the first quarter, meaning an annual pace of 100,000+ units/year, the D9 is starting to reach Toyota Alphard/Sienna sales levels, which is already significant in itself.
The second half of the table saw three legacy OEMs reach record results. #14 Hyundai scored 21,866 registrations, supported by positive performances of its best selling models. #17 Toyota got a record 13,316 registrations, mostly thanks to the ramp up of its Chinese operations .
Interestingly, three out of the four new brands now present in the top 20 are legacy brands. Nissan and Ford returned to the best sellers table, and Jeep is currently experiencing its best moment ever in the plugin table.