Tesla was able to do that even though its two new factories — one outside of Berlin, the other outside of Austin, Texas, started producing and shipping cars only weeks ago.
Other automakers have not reported global sales, as Tesla did in its report, but the US sales numbers of companies that reported Friday showed sharp declines from a year ago.
GM’s US sales fell 20% from a year ago, although they were up 16% from the fourth quarter.
Ford has yet to report first quarter sales.
The limited availability of cars, coupled with strong demand by consumers, has resulted in record-high car prices.