(CLE) MG4 OUTSELLS TESLA IN BRITAIN

Remember when the Tesla Model Y outsold every other electric car, anywhere in the world, all the time? That was then; this is now. 

According to Yahoo Finance, registration data from Germany’s Motor Transport Authority (KBA) shows the Volkswagen brand has delivered 49,200 electric cars in that country through the end of October. BMW has delivered 33,167. Tesla is in third place with 31,461 delivered. A skip and a hop away, Cars Guide says MG has taken the EV sales lead in the UK.

While Volkswagen may be leading the EV pack in Germany, its sales of its battery-electric cars have declined since a year ago at this time, when it delivered 9,400 more EVs than it did in the same period of this year. Tesla sales are down by 23,300 cars compared to their performance in 2023. BMW, on the other hand, is seeing a solid increase in sales of its electric cars. It sales are up by 6,600 cars compared to a year ago at this time.

Sales, of course, are a moving target. Germany cancelled or significantly reduced its EV purchase incentives at the end of last year, which hurt Volkswagen and Tesla. Why BMW is bucking that trend is a matter of conjecture. It may be that its electric car offerings are more appealing to its customers or that BMW owners are wealthier as a group and are willing to pay more in order to have that iconic BMW roundel on the hood. 

Volkswagen’s electric cars are finding tough sledding in the new car market, largely because of software issues that the company seems unable to address successfully. The Volkswagen brand is experiencing a reduction in sales of its conventional cars as well, which has led to tensions with its union members as it contemplates closing two or more factories in Germany — something that has never happened before in the company’s history.

Across the Channel in the UK, the MG4 battery electric hatchback is outselling the Tesla Model Y, the Tesla Model 3, and the Toyota Camry. In fact, it is close to catching the Toyota Corolla, one of the best selling cars in the UK. According to Cars Guide, the secret to the success of the MG4 is simple. The MG 4 Excite out-the-door price is just $32,990 with a 52 kWh battery and 350 kilometers of range (WLTP). Not only is that cheaper than the GWM Ora at $35,990 drive-away price and the BYD Dolphin at $38,990 before on-road costs, it is also about $3,000 less than a Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport hybrid. 

The MG4 Essence with a 64 kWh battery and 450 kilometers of range is priced at $46,990 drive-away, which seems like a pretty hefty increase for an extra 12 kWh in the battery pack and a few more doodads on the dashboard. More of this article (Clean Technica) - link - more like this (Tesla) - link - more like this (Tesla cars) - link - more like this (MG) - link