Tesla Model Y 2026 News

Tesla has just announced some serious discounts to its existing stock in Australia as it fends off increasingly tough competition. Existing and demonstrator Model Y SUV examples are available from $61,020 (drive-away), which is $2950 less than before, according to the brand. The Model Y usually starts from $58,900, before on-road costs. This deal makes the Model Y more competitive with its key rivals, the BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X, which start from $54,990 and $57,900, respectively, both before on-road costs. This news follows Tesla slashing the price of its top grade ‘Performance’ variant from $89,400 to $84,900 in October 2026. Tesla is also offering discounts on its Model 3 sedan with demonstrator and existing examples of the Premium RWD starting from $57,733 (drive-away), equating to $3530 off. The Premium RWD variant usually starts from $54,900 and is a step up from the base Model 3 that now starts from $45,900 (before on-road costs) in Australia. It also means it’s priced more closely to the Premium grade of the BYD Seal that starts from $52,990 (before on-road costs). The Model 3 doesn’t sell as prolifically as its Model Y SUV sibling, but it still managed to shift 5775 units up to September 2026, which is more than the BYD Seal (3808). The Model 3 is available with a single electric motor that produces 190kW and 375Nm or dual motors, producing 343kW and 741Nm. The Model Y also has single or dual electric motor options, producing 220kW/420Nm, 378kW/493Nm, or 461kW/741Nm. The Model Y is the best-selling electric car in the world, and Australia is no exception. It’s shifted 43,386 units up to September 2026. This is more than the BYD Sealion 7 (19,964) and the Zeekr 7X (12,006) combined, but these rivals are rapidly gaining popularity. The mid-size SUV segment is the most hotly contested in the market, and the Model Y is now facing an influx of new and affordable electric SUV rivals in Australia in 2026. The Geely EX5 ($41,990) has seen a similar popularity increase to the Sealion 7 and 7X, while the Lepas L6 ($47,990) has just gone on sale Down Under.

Physical buttons are making a return to cars around the world, but the Chinese government is taking it a step further. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has filed proposals to mandate physical buttons and switches for critical car functions. Multimedia screens, large-area displays and complex head-up displays in cars must undergo mandatory safety checks under the proposals. These tests will measure the impact on driver distraction, reliability in extreme weather and crash performance. The rules take effect for new models from January 1, 2027, with existing models getting the same scrutiny from July 1, 2027. In February 2026, China overtook Japan as the biggest seller of cars in Australia. The China-built BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y have consistently been the two best-selling electric cars in Australia. They feature 15.6-inch and 16.0-inch central touchscreens, respectively. The Model Y’s screen controls virtually all functions, while the touchscreen in the Sealion 7 controls climate as well as vehicle and safety settings. Installing a large screen instead of a series of buttons and switches can save carmakers money. Housing features like this in a touchscreen increases driver distraction, with drivers needing to sift through menus instead of looking at the road. It arguably causes a similar distraction to using a mobile phone while driving, but using a big touchscreen isn’t illegal. These new rules will require key functionality to be controlled physically as opposed to being embedded in the in-car software. Buyers will see many of Australia’s most popular models adopt a new layout inside the cabin from 2027. Some brands have already started to reintroduce physical controls in the cabin in response to buyer feedback, including Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. The Chinese government is moving to prohibit “folding” or “flexible” screens inside the car. While there aren’t mass-production cars that have these styles of screen, some brands were developing plans to introduce them down the line. China is also banning the use of ‘zero-gravity’ seats while driving that have become hugely popular in luxury models. This feature enables a seat to recline back on a steep angle, while elevating the leg rest to distribute body weight evenly, hence ‘zero-gravity’. This poses dangers to passengers, because in the event of a sudden stop or a crash, they could slide under the seatbelt, and will also be misaligned with airbags. It comes after the Chinese government outlawed electrically-operated hidden door handles, in favour of manual emergency releases.

The people have spoken, and Australians are going electric, according to the latest sales data. Three electric cars were in the top 10 sellers list for September, with the Tesla Model Y (4476 sales) third overall, the BYD Sealion 7 (2687) fifth and the Geely EX5 (2008) eighth. Australians now buy electric cars in the same number as petrol and diesel vehicles. Sales of  electric, diesel, petrol and hybrid were evenly split in September, with each accounting for about a quarter of sales. Sales of electric cars account for more than 18 per cent of total sales, a rise of more than 165 per cent, and sales of battery-powered vehicles are strengthening as the year goes along. Plug-in hybrids are booming, with sales up more than 120 per cent this year. Conventional hybrids - such as those sold by Toyota - are up more than 10 per cent for the year. Petrol sales are down more than 27 per cent this year and diesel sales have falled more than 16 per cent. Despite the fall, Australians are still gravitating towards familiar petrol and diesel vehicles. The Ford Ranger was the best seller, with 5062 sales in September. This was followed by the Toyota RAV4 (4624), the Model Y, Toyota HiLux (4455) and Chery Tiggo 4 (2059). The other constant in Australia’s new-car sales list are Chinese vehicles. Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and other long-term favourites had no individual vehicle in the top 10 sellers list. Relatively new names such as the Chery Tiggo 4, GWM Haval Jolion and Geely EX5 continue to climb up the charts. There are several names knocking on the door, with the MG ZS (1805), Jaecoo J5 (1754)  and Zeekr 7X (1628) selling strongly. Chinese-built vehicles are now by far the largest source of new cars to Australia, with more than 40,000 imports in September. The next best was Japan with roughly 23,000. This reversal of Australia’s buying habits is playing out with some of the smaller Japanese brands. Australia bought more BYD Sealion 7s or Chery Tiggo 4s than all Subarus or Nissans in September. Mitsubishi’s sales are plummeting, but it has the new Pajero and electric ASX VR-e arriving before the end of the year to help arrest the slide. Nissan is looking to China to help change its fortunes, with a range of vehicles sourced from its joint-venture with Dongfeng believed to be headed our way. This includes the plug-in hybrid Navara Pro ute and plug-in hybrid Terrano 4WD. 10 best-selling vehicles September, 2026 10 best-selling brands September, 2026

Tesla is gearing up to fight off a new wave of Chinese electric cars, with big updates to its range. The fully-electric Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV will feature a suite of upgrades and price cuts as they fight off increasingly competitive Chinese rivals Down Under.  The Model Y’s top-spec ‘Performance’ grade now starts from $84,900, down from $89,400 (before on-road costs).  The Model 3 is now cheaper as well, starting from $45,900 instead of $54,900, before on-road costs.  Tesla said both updated cars can be configured on its website.  Tesla's Model Y is the best-selling electric car globally, with Aussie buyers gaining access to improved performance. The Model Y’s long-range all-wheel-drive grade squeezes more performance out of its dual electric motors, and can now sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds, down from 4.8 seconds. This is faster than lower grades of the Zeekr 7X ($57,900) that accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds.  The Model Y L three-row SUV is also now quicker from a standing start. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 4.5 seconds, instead of 5.0 seconds.  The Model Y will be offered with a new Glacier Blue paint colour and a grey interior colour option.  The Model 3’s price cut complements a larger 16.0-inch first-row touchscreen, up from the 15.4-inch unit previously installed, and matching the Model Y. The range-topping Tesla Model 3 Performance has an improved driving range figure of 600km, which is 29km more than before, according to WLTP standards.  The car also receives a dark headliner, and the Zen grey interior option, as well as new 19-inch wheels.  Tesla’s Model 3 has had a slower sales return in 2026 compared to its Model Y SUV sibling, batting for buyer attention with the strong-selling BYD Seal ($52,990).  Both cars are equipped with Tesla’s ‘Power Share’ vehicle-to-load system that allows for owners to power appliances and tools directly from the high-voltage battery.  Tesla cars in Australia previously did not have vehicle-to-load functionality, but this latest update brings them into line with other key mainstream EV rivals.  The brand also confirmed older examples cannot be retrofitted with the Power Share technology.  

To be honest I didn’t think this would happen so fast but it really does appear the end is nigh for the internal combustion engine in Australia, because for the first time sales of electric cars have overtaken petrol ones.  So how does Australia compare for EVs sales compared to the rest of the world? Australia is punching well above its weight.  Australia is ranked high when it comes to EV sales compared to the world, but wait until you see how high. Australians bought 27,089 electric vehicles in August, which represent 24.9 per cent of the market. Not included in this are hybrids or plug-in hybrids, and that makes this number even more significant. In comparison the total sales of petrol cars in August, including light commercial vehicles, came to 25,824. August’s sales came off the back of a bumper July total of 23,510, but they weren’t the largest recorded - that claim to fame goes to June with 32,570 sales.  August was a big month for EV sales in other parts of the world, too. Sales of EVs in France reached a record 38 per cent of the market or 36,159 electric cars. Quick reminder: Australia for the same month has 24.9 per cent and 27,089 electric cars. Let me also tell you that France is placed fourth in the world rankings for August EV sales. Of course this is nothing compared to China’s EV sales, which were approximately one million for August. Yes, China sold the same number of electric cars in August as the almost the combined sales of petrol, diesel, EV, and hybrids in Australia in any given year. With China in the No.1 place; in second place for August is Germany with 68,930 sales; then in third is the United States with about 65,000; then France with its 36,159; followed by the United Kingdom with 27,876; and then in sixth place is Australia with 27,089. We just missed out on being in the top 5 for August EV sales. Australia’s year-to-date battery electric vehicle sales through to the end of August come to 154,313. This places Australia in seventh place globally for the year so far, behind China in first place with approximately 6.06 million sales; then in second place is the US with about 500,000 sales; then Germany in third with 446,615; the UK is in fourth with 327,683; then France with 322,097; and then South Korea with 272,000. Petrol sales year to date have reached 243,673, which is 89,360 sales of the 154,313 EV sales. So while monthly sales of EVs are beginning to overtake petrol car sales, we won't see the electric car sales total for the year eclipse those of petrol in 2026. A recent report from the NRMA found there are approximately 500,000 EVs on Australian roads and this accounted for just three per cent of the total number of registered vehicles.  But as we have seen by the monthly figures EV sales are at a high level and staying high. The NRMA said by 2040 10 per cent of registered vehicles will be EVs, and modelling by the CSIRO predicts by 2050 97 per cent of all light passenger cars will be battery electric vehicles. The Tesla Model Y is not just the biggest selling EV, it's also is the best selling of all cars in Australia right now with 6414 sold in August. The BYD Sealion 7 electric SUV with 2213 sales is the fifth best-selling car in Australia, while the Zeekr 7X is in ninth place with 1748 sales.

A former prime minister is backing Australia’s carmaking industry to make a triumphant return.  Kevin Rudd told the National Press Club on September 10, 2026 new technologies available could return the industry to its former glory.  Australia used to have a thriving car industry, with it being one of the biggest manufacturing hubs globally.  Ford, Holden and Toyota all had major operations in Australia, spanning across decades.  The Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore dominated the sales charts during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.  Even the Tesla Model Y’s more than 8000 sales in a single month in June 2026 couldn’t eclipse the Commodore's single-month record set more than two decades ago. The federal government’s withdrawal of subsidies in 2013 in combination with increasing costs and decreasing profits saw carmakers pull out of Australian manufacturing.  There are now no cars built on a commercial scale in Australia, leaving the country reliant on imports. Rudd said the then federal government’s decision to remove subsidies was the final blow to the industry.  Australia’s 26th prime minister also praised the previous strength of the car industry, describing it as a “sovereign capability we are sorely missing”.  “Of all the short-sighted acts of economic vandalism in recent decades, the closure of our car industry by the Abbott-Hockey government stands apart,” Rudd said.  “Australia under my government had one of the most modest industry subsidies in the auto world.  “But politics triumphed over reason, sacrificing tens of thousands of jobs, tearing the beating heart out of Australia’s engineering and manufacturing base, and rendering us 100% dependent on auto imports.” Rudd said that developing new technologies in the car industry could reignite interest in it.  “Now the 3D printing and EV revolutions mean we can rebuild an Australian auto sector and repair this fatal vulnerability in our national security,” Rudd said.  3D printing is now an essential part of virtually every carmaker’s manufacturing processes. It can develop model prototypes quickly and improve assembly processes, among other things. It is also used for creating complex moulds in gigacasting - a process where die-casting machines shape large single-piece car body parts instead of individual steel welds.  Some popular EVs rely on gigacasting in production, including the best-selling Tesla Model Y.  Australia could become an EV hub of the future by investing in this technology.

We now know the truth about how long a car battery will last. Austrian battery diagnostics specialist Aviloo has worked out which vehicles perform best when it comes to an EV battery’s state of health (SoH) over time and distance. In its 2026 Certified EV Battery Report the company has analysed more than 500,000 Aviloo ‘Flash Test’ results from 2022 to 2026 across 20 high-volume electric car models in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia to determine the best performers. The flash test is a three-minute diagnostic check that assesses the health and performance of an electric vehicle's high-voltage traction battery. Rather than registering a value reported by the car's on-board battery management system, the flash test “independently calculates SoH using a statistical model trained on hundreds of thousands of comparable used vehicles, factoring in mileage, age, (charge) cycle count, cell voltage spread, energy counters and other diagnostic signals.” In releasing its results Aviloo made the point that, buyers of used internal-combustion cars rely on odometer readings and service records, but was not the most accurate way to tell an EV battery's state.  “The battery is the single most expensive component of an electric car, and the one with the widest variation from vehicle to vehicle. “Two used electric cars with 50,000 kilometres on the odometer might present in what appears to be identical condition but can differ by up to 10 percentage points in battery SoH,” it said. The data reflects three mileage milestones (50,000, 100,000 and 150,000 kilometres), identifying the SoH range covering 99 percent of all independently tested vehicles of that model.  The company made the point, “Battery health varied within each of the 20 models tested, between models and, above all, between individual vehicles of the same model. An average per model therefore says little about a specific car. "SoH can vary by up to 13.5 percentage points between the best and weakest examples of the same model,” it said. As a result the median serves as the reference point in each case. The spread across the 20 models tested was already clear at the 50,000km mark with four examples highlighted for more detailed analysis in line with their different sizes, typical use and battery types. Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 had the best SoH of the four models, with range barely falling from 335 to 321km and a spread of 37 kilometres between the extremes recorded. As one of Europe’s best-selling EVs, the VW ID.4’s potential range fell from 373 to 355km, with up to 44km between the best and the weakest vehicle at 150,000km. The Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling car for the last three years, saw its real-world range fall from 379 to 361km at 150,000km, with a 46-kilometre difference between the best and the weakest example tested. The Nissan Nissan Leaf ZE1, with the smallest (40kWh) battery of the four models highlighted the finding that smaller batteries with more frequent charging cycles age faster on average.  Across all three mileage levels analysed, the Nissan had the lowest SoH of the four models examined in detail, with its real-world range dropping from 195 to 185km. Other models that performed well after 150,000km travelled were the Mercedes-Benz EQA (93.97 SoH), BMW i4 (93.62), Hyundai Kona EV (92.95), Volvo XC40 Recharge (92.79), Ford Mustang Mach-E (92.53) and Polestar 2 (92.46). Some that didn't fare as well were the Renault Zoe (87.33) and Tesla Model 3 (88.94). Commenting on the report Aviloo CEO Dr. Marcus Berger said, “The truth in this data is that averages hide a lot.  “Yes, electric car batteries age better than the myth of rapid wear suggests, but that is not the most important finding.  “What matters is that battery health varies widely between models, and even more widely between individual vehicles of the same model,” he said. The Aviloo Certified EV Battery Report will now be published twice a year, drawing on the company’s global diagnostics database, which holds more than one million independent tests. 

For the first time ever in Australia, sales of electric vehicles (EVs) surpassed every other powertrain type for a month. Combining both the latest VFACTS and EV Council sales data, a total of 27,078 EVs were sold during the month of August. EVs notably outsold petrol (25,824, down 32.6 per cent YOY) and diesel (23,608, down 22.5 per cent YOY) vehicle sales, however when you combine the two pure combustion powertrain choices they still well and truly outperformed EVs. Additionally, 24.9 per cent of overall vehicles sold in August were EVs, meaning almost one in four. This is also a new record. While EVs had a sharp uptick in sales compared to August 2025, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) had an even sharper growth. A total of 10,591 examples were sold during August 2026, which is up 171.1 per cent year-on-year. During the month of August, the best-selling EV by far was the Tesla Model Y. A total of 6414 examples were sold, which is up 176 per cent year-on-year. This was followed by the BYD Sealion 7 (2213, up 56.6 per cent YOY) and the Geely EX5 (1947, up 385.5 per cent YOY). The following is a breakdown of the top 10 best-selling EVs during the month of August:   While EVs outsold petrol- and diesel-powered cars in August 2026, the year-to-date (YTD) sales figures paint a different picture. Until the end of August, a total of 154,304 EVs were sold, which is up 139.7 per cent year-on-year. For context, a total of 243,673 petrol vehicles and 207,541 diesel vehicles were sold over the same period, which is down 25.7 per cent and 16.2 per cent, respectively, year-on-year. If trends do continue we could expect to see EV sales overtake petrol or diesel around early-to-mid 2027. There are a lot of factors that may change this, but it’s clear that EV demand in Australia is higher than ever.

Aussie car buyers can’t get enough of the Tesla Model Y right now. Tesla’s mid-size SUV topped the sales charts for August 2026, fending off three Toyota models in the latest set of data.  Total car sales held relatively steady in August, with plenty of the usual players occupying the top spots.  Electric cars are also making an impact Down Under. Four electric-only models made featured in the top 10 last month. The Tesla Model Y surged to the top of the monthly standings once again, with 6414 sales as its new three-row Model Y L experienced sustained popularity. Combining sales of its Model 3 sedan, Tesla was the third best-selling brand in the country.  Toyota’s near 20,000 sales was the best out of any brand, and saw it occupy second, third and fourth on the standings.  Its new RAV4 continues to impress (5470), followed by the Hilux ute (4833) that now holds a healthy lead over its arch rival the Ford Ranger (2440).  Sales numbers start to drop off after the HiLux, with the Prado’s 2475 rounding out the top four.  The Ford Ranger ute experienced another decline in August 2026, falling to fifth position on the standings (2440). The Ranger has been the best-selling car in Australia for the last three consecutive years, but sales decreased in August 2026 by more than 50 per cent compared to August 2025.   The next five cars were from Chinese brands as they increased their grasp over the Australian market.  The BYD Sealion 7 mid-size SUV finished in sixth place (2213), followed by the Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV (2012), with the Geely EX5 registering 1947 examples last month.  BYD may only have had one car in the top 10, but it was the second best-selling brand in Australia in August 2026. Key Tiggo 4 rival, the GWM Haval Jolion, sold 1891 units, while the Zeekr’s 7X sold 1748 units last month.  The Isuzu D-Max took out ninth spot for the month (1708), with the Hyundai Kona finishing off the top 10 with 1688 sales. 

It ultimately helped end Holden, and the same can happen with an alarmingly high number of other prominent car brands. We’re talking about the over-reliance on one single model in Australia. It is the ‘eggs all in one basket’ that leaves sales and financials vulnerable when the inevitable happens – a popular model starts to run out of steam with consumers. Factors include newer competition, ageing models and external outside forces like spiking oil prices and evolving buyer tastes. Here, then, are some of Australia’s most vulnerable brands due to the over-dependence on one model line. Geely’s ‘Gen-Z geek’ sub-brand has struck a chord with Australians thanks to the strikingly styled 7X, and deservedly so. However, did you know there are two other, older Zeekr models sitting beside it on the showroom floor? A smaller SUV known as the X and a large people mover badged 009. Combined, they make up just 6.4 per cent of Zeekr’s year-to-date (YTD) sales, while the 7X takes the lion’s share at an incredible 93.4 per cent. Let’s hope the latter keeps the momentum up. Tesla’s Model 3 may have opened the floodgates for electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia since arriving in mid 2019, but it has now been subsumed by the larger SUV offshoot, the Model Y. The YTD sales data tells the story, with the 3’s sales tumbling 18.4 per cent to 3326 units, while the Y’s tally – supercharged by the new three-row L version – has now breached the 25,000 mark. That puts the hunchbacked SUV at 88.3 per cent of total Tesla sales, with the sedan taking the remaining 11.7 per cent. But with no S, X or ute to provide support, the Model Y is vulnerable against an unrelenting tide of mid-sized EV SUV alternatives, like the Zeekr 7X. From nowhere, the cheapest Jaecoo from Chery’s Land Rover-aping sub-brand, the J5, is responsible for more than two-thirds of all volume. This leaves three other models, the J7, J8 and Omoda 9, to fight over the crumbs. Isuzu hasn’t developed its own passenger car since the early 1990s, electing to concentrate on utes and trucks instead. The D-Max is responsible for 63 per cent of all Isuzu Ute sales YTD. It sits fourth after the Ranger, HiLux and Shark 6 on the charts. The other 37 per cent belongs to the M-UX SUV version of the ute, and that currently occupies third place amongst large SUVs behind the Ford Everest and Prado. This country sure loves a body-on-frame three-row wagon. But both Isuzus are diesel-only powered, meaning that, with no hybrid or EV in sight for Australia, Isuzu Ute faces steep fines due to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) carbon tax. And that’s just going to increase annually in severity, which will really hurt Isuzu Ute, unless it pulls something out of the hat, and fast. Australia’s top-selling vehicle since 2023, the Ranger is responsible for some 62.3 per cent of Ford’s total volume YTD. Combined with its Everest SUV offshoot, that jumps to a staggering 88.7 per cent. Given there are seven other distinct models squabbling over the remaining 11.3 per cent, that's a worry. The next most popular Ford YTD is the Transit Custom van at just three per cent, followed by the Mustang at 2.8 per cent, F-150 at 2.45 per cent, Transit Cargo at 1.9 per cent, Tourneo people mover at 0.5 per cent and Mustang Mach-E at 0.33 per cent. But storm clouds are in the air for the Blue Oval’s popular ute-based duo, with both Ranger and Everest sales down this year, thanks to fierce competition from new rivals including the BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). While a Ranger PHEV does exist, it costs too much and delivers too little by comparison, meaning the vast majority of volume belongs to the diesel versions. That’s a lot of NVES fines Ford is facing, unless the incoming Bronco PHEV SUV and other future EVs grow the brand's share of the total market without cannibalising Ranger and Everest. With demand for the latest Vitara tanking, the Swift hybrid struggling and the Fronx floundering, it’s been the Jimny small 4WD that has kept Suzuki humming along, accounting for 56.6 per cent of all volume YTD. Likewise, the Defender attracts the most business for Land Rover in Australia, taking 54.1 per cent of all orders YTD. The Haval Jolion small SUV has performed the heavy lifting for GWM YTD, at 53.9 per cent of total sales, as has the X-Trail for Nissan, at 53 per cent. Australia’s continuous number one since 2003, Toyota boasts several high-volume models, including the RAV4, Prado, Corolla, HiAce, Camry and Yaris Cross. Yet even the brand’s most popular vehicle – the HiLux – only makes up 23.6 per cent of the company’s total sales YTD. Similarly, BYD’s top performer, the Sealion 7, is at 25 per cent, Kia’s biggest crowd-pleaser, the Sportage, is at 23.1 per cent and this country’s favourite Mazda, the CX-5, is at 26.4 per cent. The smaller the percentage, the higher the chances are your brand will weather any storm. Sadly, the writing was on the wall long before Australia's Own started to see its sales slide. Holden’s downfall is largely down to its over-reliance on one model. It was always the way, right back even before the Kingswood years. Here's the most telling stat. Australia’s best-seller for 15 years in a row from 1996 until 2011, sales of the Commodore crashed to just 50 position in 2019. That was following the disaster that was replacing the rear-drive VF series made in Australia with the smaller, front-wheel drive-based Opel Insignia out of Germany as the ZB series. This happened as a result of Holden’s manufacturing shutdown in 2017. The latter bombed so hard that it was cancelled in December of 2019, with Holden effectively over by the following February.