Tesla's September Sales Dip as Model 3 Gains Ahead of Budget Variant Launch

Tesla and Polestar both posted solid electric vehicle sales in September, although Tesla’s familiar end-of-quarter delivery spike failed to materialise this time around. According to figures from the Electric Vehicle Council, the two brands combined for 5,854 EV sales during the month, with Tesla responsible for 5,654 of that total.

The Model Y once again led the way, though its September tally of 4,476 units was its weakest monthly showing since April. Despite the softer result, Model Y sales were still up 14 per cent compared with the same month a year earlier, and its year-to-date figure of 35,930 more than doubles the pace set during the same period in 2025. The timing of shipments this year has pushed deliveries earlier in the quarter, which may point to a rebound in the coming months.

The Model 3 was September’s standout performer, recording 1,178 sales — a 60 per cent jump year-on-year. That strong showing has lifted its year-to-date total to 5,775, now 6.6 per cent ahead of 2025 after a sluggish start to the year. Tesla also used the week to introduce a stripped-back Model 3 RWD priced just below $46,000 before on-road costs, roughly 20 per cent cheaper than any other Tesla on sale in Australia, alongside a price cut for the Model Y Performance as production shifted from Germany to Shanghai and range improvements for some variants.

Polestar, meanwhile, took delivery of its first Polestar 5 vehicles while the Polestar 2 continued its recovery and the Polestar 4 slipped ahead of the Polestar 4 SUV’s arrival. Broader market data is due next week; in August, EVs reached a record 24.8 per cent of new car sales and have averaged 20 per cent over the past five months.