Year-end JD Power Survey on the Tesla Model 3 is Here

author: Manish Kharinta   

The Tesla Model 3

As we enter into 2019, we can't help but rewind the year gone by and reflect upon some of the milestones from 2018. In keeping with its tradition, consumer research giant JD Power has released it's annual year-end evaluation of some the most important cars of 2018. 

2018 was a very good year for Tesla's mass-market Model 3. Tesla once again proved that its more affordable electric car is the most important electric vehicle.  Analysts across the globe are already predicting that 2019 could be an even bigger year for Tesla. 

Some reports even claim that Tesla's influence, along with other global automakers entering the EV segment, will soon render internal combustion engines (ICE) obsolete.

Tesla has strong vehicle sales figures to back them up.  Last year alone, Tesla sold 145,846 Model 3s. However, this is not the sole reason the Model 3 helped close a strong and profitable year for the automaker. Critics and experts in the electric vehicle segment speculate that 2019 might be the year which begins the mass adoption of electric vehicles. 

The Tesla Model S

In the first nine months of 2018, Tesla managed to be the highest selling electric vehicle manufacturer across the globe followed by China's BAIC, Nissan, BYD and Chery, a state owned Chinese brand not to be confused with GM's Chevy. Out of the top five, 3 carmakers—BAIC, Chery and BVD—sell their vehicles exclusively in China. 

A major chunk of credit for the 2018 surge in sales of Teslas is the Model 3. Not only is the Model 3 one of the fastest selling electric vehicles across the globe, it managed to become the best selling luxury vehicle in the U.S. market in 2018.

Tesla's Model X SUV

Tesla's Gigafactory is already the largest volume battery plant in the world and it is only 30 percent complete. The factory will supply enough batteries for all of Tesla's future electric vehicles. Other automakers in the electric vehicle segment have taken notice of Tesla's progress and have commended the company on its success. 

Luxury European carmakers like BMW, have even gone on record to say that Tesla truly understands electromobility and has managed to achieve what traditional automakers will dismiss as the impossible.

Manish Kharinta

Manish Kharinta is a automotive writer based in the Los Angeles area. He has worked for automotive industry websites TheSmokingClutch.com, CarDekho.com and CarBikeindia.com. His experience ranges from covering auto shows, to car reviews and breaking automotive news. Manish aims to bring forth his unique perspective on automotive design and technological innovations in the automotive industry.