Tesla delivers a record number of vehicles in the 4th quarter, smashing analyst estimates

• Tesla's fourth-quarter vehicle production and delivery numbers surpassed its single-quarter record, the company reported.
• The company delivered 308,600 vehicles globally between September and December, beating its record set last quarter.

Tesla delivered a record number of vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2021, beating estimates from Wall Street analysts, as the company continues to shrug off some of the supply chain disruptions that have dogged other automakers.

The electric vehicle company produced 305,840 vehicles and delivered 308,600, besting a record it just set in the third quarter, the company said in a press release. Of those delivered, 296,850 were Model 3 and Y vehicles. Total deliveries for the year stand at 936,172.

Total vehicle deliveries in 2021 are up 87% from last year's numbers. Wall Street analysts had previously anticipated the company would deliver 267,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter and 897,000 vehicles for all of 2021, according to data from FactSet.

"Our delivery count should be viewed as slightly conservative, as we only count a car as delivered if it is transferred to the customer and all paperwork is correct," Tesla said in its report, with final numbers subject to vary by 0.5% or more.

"Great work by Tesla team worldwide!" Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted on Sunday.

Despite global chip shortages, tariffs on critical manufacturing components, and supply chain woes expected to cost automakers billions this year, Tesla managed to keep productions and deliveries on track, posting record-beating numbers in the second and third quarters of 2021, as well. The company has also dealt with vehicle recalls this year over issues like faulty hoods and backup cameras, and investigations over its self-driving technology.

Elon Musk has said he wants to increase Tesla's vehicle sales volume to 20 million annually over the next nine years, CNBC reported, and expects increased production to come when Tesla's German Gigafactory and Tesla Giga Austin start production this year.

Insider previously reported that Musk pushed workers to "go super hardcore" to finish strong in the company's third quarter, but it is not known if Musk made similar remarks in the fourth quarter.

"Thank you to all of our customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and supporters who helped us achieve a great year," Tesla added in its report.