EVwire brief: Tesla's registrations in Japan jumped 182% year-over-year in May 2026 to 1,996 vehicles, according to data from the Japan Automobile Importers Association (JAIA). Tesla recorded 706 registrations in May 2025.
Year-to-date, Tesla has registered 8,194 vehicles, up roughly 157% from the 3,178 it managed over the same period last year.
The May result lifted Tesla past Audi on a year-to-date basis, moving it to fourth among imported brands in Japan, up from fifth through April. Tesla looks on course for its best year yet in the market.
The figures come from JAIA foreign-vehicle registration data, where Tesla is grouped under the "Others" category, the line Japanese market watchers treat as the company's.
EV tracker @teru_tesla highlighted the numbers on X and expects Tesla to finish 2026 ahead of Audi.
Note on the data: JAIA reports Tesla within "Others," so these figures track that line. The association publishes its full monthly figures on its new-car statistics page.
Tesla Japan’s May 2026 results
Tesla Japan’s May 2025 results
Context:
Tesla's climb up Japan's import table has been quick. The company sat fifth through April, behind Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi. May's 1,996 registrations pushed it past Audi for the year, into fourth.
The jump stands out against a soft import market. Foreign-brand registrations across Japan slipped 1.8% in May to 17,871, and are down 6.0% so far in 2026. Despite this trend, Tesla's line climbed 181%.
Tesla has been expanding its store and service network across Japan
Tesla is tracking toward its best year yet in Japan, building on a record start to 2026. The company has been expanding its store and service network to win over buyers who prefer to shop in person.
Among the other electric-only importers, BYD registered 363 passenger vehicles in May, down from 416 a year earlier. Its year-to-date tally of 1,798 is still up 60%, however.
BYD, the other electric-only importer, is up sharply for the year but slipped in May
Considering Tesla's habit of concentrating deliveries at quarter-end, Japan could see even higher sales this June. This trend, however, tends to cut both ways, with quarter-opening months often running softer.
Source: JAIA, @teru_tesla on X
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