{"id":6968,"date":"2026-02-12T15:48:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/non-categorise\/the-model-y-dominates-california-despite-elon-musk\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T13:26:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T12:26:45","slug":"the-model-y-dominates-california-despite-elon-musk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/news\/the-model-y-dominates-california-despite-elon-musk\/","title":{"rendered":"The Model Y dominates California despite Elon Musk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Tesla Model Y has just achieved a rare feat in the auto industry: <strong>110,120 registrations<\/strong> in California for 2025, putting it at the top of sales for the <strong>4th consecutive year<\/strong>. An impressive figure, especially at a time when Tesla is facing media controversies and an overall decline in its sales. <\/p>\n\n<p>But behind these impressive numbers lies a more nuanced reality. Between commercial domination and gradual erosion, I\u2019m going to break down these data points, which say a lot about Tesla\u2019s current situation in its historic market. <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"the-model-y-literally-crushes-the-competition-in-california\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Model Y literally crushes the competition in California<\/h2>\n\n<p>With <strong>110,120 registrations<\/strong>, the Model Y doesn\u2019t just win: it absolutely dominates the California market. To put that into perspective, the Toyota RAV4\u2014still second in the ranking\u2014posted 65,604 units sold. <\/p>\n\n<p>That\u2019s a gap of <strong>over 50,000 units<\/strong>. In other words, Tesla could lose nearly half its sales and would still remain at the top of the rankings. <\/p>\n\n<p>This historic performance over <strong>4 consecutive years<\/strong> shows just how deeply the California car market has changed. The Model Y is no longer a niche electric vehicle for early adopters: it has become an everyday vehicle, on a par with a family sedan or a traditional gas-powered SUV. <\/p>\n\n<p>If you\u2019re wondering what explains such enthusiasm, I invite you to <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/interior\/tesla-model-y-look-interieur-exterieur\/\">find out why the Model Y appeals so much to California buyers<\/a>, thanks to its design and features.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/model-y-californie-domination-02-12-01.jpg\" alt=\"The Model Y dominates California despite Elon Musk\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"a-downward-trend-that-cant-be-ignored\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A downward trend that can\u2019t be ignored<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"the-numbers-tell-a-different-story\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The numbers tell a different story<\/h3>\n\n<p>Despite this dominance, a closer look reveals a worrying trend. Model Y sales in California are on a downward trajectory: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2023: 132,636 units<\/li>\n<li>2024: 128,923 units<\/li>\n<li>2025: 110,120 units<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>That\u2019s a <strong>17% drop over two years<\/strong>\u2014a gradual but steady erosion that deserves attention.<\/p>\n\n<p>More broadly, Tesla\u2019s total sales in California have fallen significantly: from 238,589 units in 2023 to 179,656 in 2025, a <strong>25% drop<\/strong>. The Model 3, fourth in the ranking with 53,989 sales, isn\u2019t escaping this downward trend either. <\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"the-tax-credit-a-hard-blow-for-tesla\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The tax credit: a hard blow for Tesla<\/h3>\n\n<p>One key factor is the end of the <strong>$7,500 federal tax credit<\/strong> for electric vehicles. This tax break was a major purchase argument for California buyers, directly affecting their purchasing power. <\/p>\n\n<p>While some competitors continue to benefit from local incentives or other programs, Tesla finds itself in a less favorable pricing position. So the question is: is this a temporary decline linked to those tax measures, or a deeper structural downturn? <\/p>\n\n<p>The data suggest a significant short-term effect, but not only that. Other factors are also at play. <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"the-musk-factor-when-the-ceo-becomes-a-commercial-drag\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The &#8220;Musk factor&#8221;: when the CEO becomes a commercial drag<\/h2>\n\n<p>I won\u2019t lie: Elon Musk\u2019s image is weighing on sales\u2014it\u2019s a documented fact. In 2025, anti-Musk protests and even <strong>Tesla vandalism<\/strong> were reported in California, a state that has historically been favorable to the brand. <\/p>\n\n<p>Brian Maas, president of the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA), publicly mentioned a deterioration in the Tesla brand image, directly linked to the CEO\u2019s controversial statements.<\/p>\n\n<p>The paradox is fascinating: despite the sales drop and this tense climate, the Model Y keeps its crushing lead. That shows the <strong>product\u2019s resilience<\/strong> in the face of communication turbulence. <\/p>\n\n<p>Some potential buyers now hesitate for &#8220;non-technical&#8221; reasons: they like the vehicle but feel uncomfortable with the manufacturer\u2019s image. It\u2019s a rare phenomenon in the auto industry, where the product usually outweighs the leader\u2019s personality. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/model-y-californie-domination-02-12-02.jpg\" alt=\"The Model Y dominates California despite Elon Musk\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"tesla-is-betting-everything-on-the-model-y-and-the-model-3\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tesla is betting everything on the Model Y and the Model 3<\/h2>\n\n<p>Faced with these challenges, Tesla is making a major strategic repositioning. The company announced that <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/interieur\/tesla-model-s-plaid-elle-depasse-les-1-000-chevaux-mais-pourquoi-faire\/\">Tesla will drop the Tesla Model S and Model X after Q2<\/a> 2025, focusing its efforts on high-volume models. <\/p>\n\n<p>This decision is neither a failure nor giving up: it\u2019s a rational adaptation to the market. Tesla is evolving from a niche premium manufacturer into a mass-market player able to compete with Toyota, Volkswagen, or Ford in the best-selling segments. <\/p>\n\n<p>Persistent rumors point to a <strong>Model Y refresh<\/strong> that could reignite buyer interest with aesthetic and technological improvements. In addition, <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/actualite\/compacte-tesla-25000-vendue-monde-entier\/\">Tesla is preparing its $25,000 compact model to make electric vehicles even more mainstream<\/a>, a strategy that could reshuffle the deck in 2026. <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-these-california-numbers-teach-us-even-in-france\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What these California numbers teach us (even in France)<\/h2>\n\n<p>You may be wondering what these California data change for us\u2014French owners or future buyers. More than you might think. <\/p>\n\n<p>US market dynamics often ripple into Europe after a few months. The <strong>product\u2019s resilience<\/strong> seen in California\u2014despite the controversies\u2014can also be found in France, where the Model Y remains one of the best-selling electric vehicles. <\/p>\n\n<p>The Model Y\u2019s inherent strengths remain undeniable: real-world range, performance, an unmatched <strong>Supercharger network<\/strong>, and continuous software updates. Over the long term, these technical elements outweigh media turbulence. <\/p>\n\n<p>That said, differences exist: French local incentives remain more favorable, and perceptions of Elon Musk vary depending on cultural context. The French market may therefore follow a slightly different path, but the underlying trends remain similar. <\/p>\n\n<p>The main takeaway? The product always ends up outweighing the person\u2014even if the road can be more complicated than expected. <\/p>\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moteurnature.com\/33108-electriques-en-baisse-en-californie-aussi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">automotive industry data<\/a>, this downward trend is affecting the entire California EV market, not just Tesla.<\/p>\n\n<p>In the end, these <strong>110,120 Model Y sales<\/strong> in California tell a double story: that of unquestionable commercial dominance, but also that of a brand navigating choppier waters than before. The decline is real and worrying, but the unfavorable context (end of incentives, controversies) largely explains this erosion. <\/p>\n\n<p>2026 will be decisive: with new models, improved technologies, and perhaps a calmer media climate, Tesla could bounce back. Or keep declining despite staying in first place. What about you\u2014do these numbers surprise you?  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Tesla Model Y has just achieved a rare feat in the auto industry: 110,120 registrations in California&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[89,90],"class_list":{"0":"post-6968","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-model-3","9":"tag-model-y","10":"cs-entry","11":"cs-video-wrap"},"acf":[],"onesignal_meta_box_present":null,"onesignal_send_notification":null,"onesignal_modify_title_and_content":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_heading":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_content":null,"_yoast_wpseo_title":null,"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":null,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":null,"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6968"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6972,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6968\/revisions\/6972"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6968"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}