the Tesla model 3 was Australia’s third best-selling new motor vehicle in the last month – and the best-selling electric car – marks its best-ever ranking.

Industry data from VFACTS released today shows that in January 2023, 2,927 Tesla Model 3 sedans were reported as sold — based on deliveries, not orders — accounting for two-thirds of all electric vehicles sold in the last month.

The strong sales result – thanks to the arrival of the largest Tesla vehicle delivery in December – is the second best monthly sale for the Tesla Model 3, behind the first month of recorded sales, March 2022, when 3097 deliveries were reported.

However, its third place – behind the Ford Ranger (4749) and Toyota HiLux (4131) and ahead of the Mazda CX-3 (2417) – in the overall New Car Sales chart is its best on record, beating its previous best of fifth from last March.

A Tesla vehicle has only made the top three once so far – the related Tesla Model Y SUV in September 2022, when 4369 deliveries were reported.

As the Model 3 rocketed up the sales charts, Model Y deliveries hit the brakes due to an inventory gap with 386 reported sales — allowing it to maintain its lead in the $60,000, two-car, midsize SUV class still to be said before the BMW X3 (384).

A total of 4,852 electric vehicles were reported as sold in January 2023 — up 682 percent from January 2022, or up 148 percent if Tesla is excluded, since the US electric-car specialist didn’t report its monthly sales around this time last year.