Used Tesla Listings Surge in March - What's Happening?

Shifting Tesla Ownership: A Response to External Factors

An increasing trend is emerging as more Tesla owners are choosing to sell their pre-owned vehicles. This shift in the used car market appears to be connected to consumer reactions regarding Elon Musk’s public stances on political issues and the subsequent demonstrations these have instigated.

Surge in Used Tesla Listings

Data from Cox Automotive, the parent company of Autotrader.com, reveals a significant increase in used Tesla listings. Sherwood News reported a substantial rise in March, with the final week of the month witnessing an average of over 13,000 used Teslas available for purchase.

This figure represents a record high, demonstrating a 67% increase compared to the same week in the previous year. The growing availability of used models suggests a potential change in owner sentiment.

New Tesla Sales Experience a Decline

Concurrently, the rate of new Tesla vehicle sales has decelerated, even as the broader electric vehicle (EV) market experiences growth. Kelley Blue Book’s latest report indicates that approximately 300,000 new EVs were sold in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2025.

This represents a year-over-year increase of 10.6%. However, Tesla’s sales figures for the same period show a nearly 9% decrease when compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Growth Among Competitors

While manufacturers like GM and Hyundai currently trail Tesla in overall EV sales, they are demonstrating notable growth. Kelley Blue Book data shows that GM brands sold over 30,000 EVs in the first quarter.

This represents almost a doubling of their sales volume from the same period last year. The increasing performance of these competitors suggests a more diversified and competitive EV landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Used Tesla listings on Autotrader.com increased by 67% year-over-year in late March.
• New Tesla sales decreased by nearly 9% in the first quarter of 2025.
• Overall EV sales rose by 10.6% in the first quarter of 2025.
• GM experienced a significant increase in EV sales, nearly doubling its volume.