Tesla Model Y is Europe's best-seller for 2023

The Tesla Model Y is going to be Europe's No. 1-selling car for 2023.

The U.S. EV maker's midsize SUV has an insurmountable lead over its closest rival, the Dacia Sandero small hatchback, based on preliminary figures from market researcher Dataforce.

The Model Y was ahead of the Sandero, 254,822 to 235,893, according to data representing 97 percent of sales in the European Union, the EFTA countries and the U.K.

If the lead stands, the Model Y will achieve several milestones:

• First electric car to finish the year No. 1;
• First midsize car to finish the year No. 1;
• First premium car to finish the year No. 1;
• First non-European car in the modern era to to finish the year No. 1.

Automotive News Europe predicted the Model Y would win the full-year title in November.

Tesla gave the Model Y a big sales boost at the start of 2023 via substantial price cuts. That trend has continued into this year.

Tesla also got a boost last year from incentives aimed a company cars in Germany. The Model Y was Germany's best-selling battery-electric car last year, with about 45,800 registrations, according to figures released by the country's transport authority (KBA).

Tesla's success ended up giving a lift to German car production, helped by high output of the Model Y from the EV maker's factor near Berlin, according to a report.

The Model Y was Europe's top seller in seven of 12 months in 2023.

The Sandero was tops in four of the 12 months, while the Volkswagen T-Roc was first in one month.

The T-Roc, the Renault Clio and the Peugeot 208 appear to be locks for the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 places in Europe for the full year, based on the preliminary number from Dataforce.

The 208 was Europe's No. 1-seller in 2022, while the Sandero was No. 2 overall.

In 2021, the VW Golf was at the top of the sales table, but in 2023 it is likely to finish in seventh place.

The Model Y was also in line to be Europe's top-seller for the month of December, despite a 24 percent sales decline to 24,394.

The Renault Clio was the Model Y's closest competitor for the month, as sales rose 29 percent sales rise to 20,691.

The Sandero was in a tight race for third place for the month against the Volkswagen Golf, leading by just 163 units, according to the preliminary figures.