The all-electric automaker registered 200,561 vehicles compared to Audi’s 183,594, according to trade publication Automotive News based on data from Experian.
Now, Tesla surely has its sights set on the top three luxury automakers: BMW (287,259 registrations), Lexus (271,384) and Mercedes-Benz (265,600). In fact, Automotive News notes that Tesla was only about 65,000 registrations behind Mercedes-Benz.
Registration figures are usually lower than sales numbers. But since Tesla does not release U.S. sales figures, this tally is based on registrations, Automotive News said.
Regardless how you slice it the feat is impressive on many fronts, not least of which is Tesla’s relatively young age compared to Audi. The German luxury automaker was founded in 1909, whereas Tesla was born in the early 2000s – nearly a century later.
Also of note is the difference in the two automakers’ lineups. Audi sells a wide array of SUVs, sedans, coupes, convertibles and liftbacks. Tesla, meanwhile, currently sells just four models: The Model S and Model 3 sedans, and the Model X and Model Y SUVs.
Tesla found success selling electric vehicles because it was the first one to do so as a business model, while also making them desirable. More competition looms as traditional automakers are building new electric vehicles and plotting their own electrified futures.
Of course, Tesla isn’t exactly sitting on its hands. Just last month the automaker unveiled new versions of is Model S and Model X.
