Tesla’s Australian sales bounce back in May 2025

Tesla’s performance in Australia just sent a massive signal to the world as Elon Musk’s links with Donald Trump continue to fail.

COMMENT: Tesla’s Australian sales represent light at the end of the tunnel for a brand enduring a hellish year.

And Elon Musk’s decision to cut ties with President Donald Trump can only help.

Tesla is having a tough time around the world, with sales down in major markets including the US, Europe and Australia.

MORE: ‘Disgusting’ – Musk goes ballistic on Trump

But things are looking up.

Australian sales data published by the EV Council shows Tesla sold 3897 vehicles last month, more than seven times the 500 cars it delivered in April.

It just about doubles the number of cars sold by Tesla this year, to 6974.

MORE: Tesla vs BYD vs Volkswagen in Australia

2025 Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Volkswagen ID. 4 Pro. Picture: Mark Bean

The new Tesla Model Y SUV led the brand’s resurgence, notching 3580 deliveries compared to just 317 for the Model 3 sedan.

It follows a tricky period for the brand, which wound-down production of the pre-facelift Model Y ahead of the new version’s arrival.

🚨BREAKING: TESLA SALES SURGE IN 🇦🇺AUSTRALIA WITH RECORD MODEL Y DEMAND $TSLA

• Tesla reports 3,897 vehicle deliveries in May 2025, highest in nearly 12 months
• Updated Model Y drives rebound with 3,580 units sold, up 122.5% from May 2024
• Total deliveries up 9.3%… pic.twitter.com/zEwXSFeEFi

— Tesla Archive (@tesla_archive) June 3, 2025

The brand’s sales in Australia are notoriously inconsistent, ebbing and flowing with the arrival of enormous ships carrying hundreds of cars at a time.

But they could be a sign of a turnaround for a brand closely linked to chief executive Elon Musk.

MORE: Influencer shocked by ‘wild’ Aus system

2025 Tesla Model Y. Picture: Mark Bean

Tesla’s year started with with dozens of cars and dealerships vandalised around the world in response to Elon Musk’s “salute” at the January inauguration of President Donald Trump, as well as Musk’s ties to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) tasked with cutting government spending.

Now Musk has separated from DOGE.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo: Allison ROBBERT / AFP

And his decision to blast excessive “disgusting” spending President Trump’s budget bill will torch his relationship with the White House.

It’s a smoking, tyre-squealing, U-turn from Musk’s previous position bankrolling Trump’s bid for election.

It’s exactly the sort of action Tesla shareholders have been begging Musk to take.

MORE: Why Tesla will bounce back from the brink

I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore.

This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.

Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2025

And exactly what we predicted back in April, when Tesla was struggling for oxygen as Chinese rivals ran rampant at the Shanghai motor show.

We said at the time that the Tesla Model Y remains the best all-round EV you can buy for less than $100,000.

And that people should not be surprised to see Musk put distance between himself and Trump, and put more time into Tesla.

We said people should not be surprised “to see Tesla rebound to shore up its position as a top automotive brand”.

Tesla is not there quite yet.

But booming Australian sales suggest Tesla is back on track.