Tesla Has Delivered 8.5 Million Vehicles to Date

Among the many ambitious targets set in Tesla's proposed $1-trillion compensation plan for CEO Elon Musk, the goal of delivering 20 million vehicles is perhaps the most realistic/straightforward one. Since 2012, when the first Model S was delivered, Tesla has shipped almost 8.4 million vehicles, with the pace of deliveries ramping up significantly throughout the past decade.

The company went from delivering just over 100,000 cars in 2017 to a record of 1.8 million in 2023. Since then, deliveries have stagnated, however, with Tesla even suffering its first year-over-year sales decline in 2024. Fierce competition from China, a rollback of EV incentives as well as Musk's divisive political activities have created a new reality for the company, which is no longer the undisputed EV market leader. In Europe, the brand that was once associated with progressive thinking has become a symbol of Musk and his activities outside of Tesla. Many Tesla owners even put stickers on their car, distancing themselves from Musk, saying the car was bought "before Elon went crazy."

Considering these new realities, it seems unlikely that Tesla will go back to high double-digit growth in vehicle sales anytime soon. Even at the current rate of deliveries, the company would reach the 20-million milestone in 6 to 7 years, though.