Tesla Model Y overtakes VW Golf as Germany's top car in September 2026

Tesla’s Model Y was Germany’s most registered car in September 2026, ahead of the Volkswagen Golf. Battery-electric cars made up 34,5 percent of all new registrations, signalling that the country’s electric vehicle transition is rapidly going mainstream.

Tesla overtakes Volkswagen to lead Germany's EV push 

The Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, or KBA) has released a new ranking detailing car registrations by segments in September 2026. The KBA reported four segments with a new leader for cars bought in Germany: the Tesla Model Y in SUVs, the Tesla Model 3 in mid-size cars, the Dacia Jogger in large vans and the Volkswagen (VW) Transporter in utilities. 

This growth in electric vehicles (EVs) highlights a broader transition toward electric mobility in Germany. Overall vehicle registrations rose 9 percent to 256.774 in September, with 88.599 of them being battery-electric cars, marking a 94,7 percent increase from the previous year.

For decades, VW's Golf hatchback has been Germany’s best-selling car, maintaining a leading position since 1981 and a 45-year streak through 2025 with 85.023 registrations. Although Tesla’s Model Y surpassed VW in September 2026 (the second time it has topped Germany's overall sales charts since September 2022), it marks a significant shift.

This change was supported by a federal subsidy introduced in Germany in January this year (with applications available from May 2026), offering private buyers between 1.500 and 6.000 euros who choose an EV, depending on factors such as the type of car, household income and family size, alongside Tesla's delivery system, which pushes for quarterly deliveries toward the end of the year, ecomento reported. 

Registration surges, reputation slumps

Despite Tesla having high registration numbers, public perception of the Tesla brand tells a different story, according to a 2025 study by Reputation and Trust. A corporate reputation assessment ranked Tesla last among 30 major companies evaluated in Germany, recording a drop in public standing over the year.

Tesla received a score of 2,48 on a scale of one to five, which falls into the "very bad" category. This score ranked Tesla below firms facing public scrutiny, including online retailers Temu and Shein, which received a reputation score of 2,51.

While the vehicles still score well for innovation, technology and their role in promoting eco-friendly driving, the company takes a heavy hit in corporate governance. Analysts tie this decline directly to CEO Elon Musk's controversial political statements and actions. This creates a clear divide as drivers in Germany continue to buy Tesla cars for practical and financial reasons, even as broader public sentiment toward the company remains low.