Tesla in 2023 was top seller for third year running
Raised market share to 20 from 12
No impact on Tesla sales seen from conflict with Nordic unions
Norway aims to be first to phase out petrol, diesel car sales
No impact on Tesla sales seen from conflict with Nordic unions

OSLO, Jan 2 Reuters Tesla topped Norway39;s car sales for a third straight year in 2023, extending its lead over rivals despite an ongoing conflict between the U.S. electric vehicle maker and the Nordic region39;s powerful labour unions.

Almost five out of six new cars sold in Norway last year were powered by battery only, with Tesla39;s share of the overall market rising to 20.0 from 12.2, registration data showed on Tuesday.

Electric vehicles accounted for 82.4 of new vehicles sold in 2023, up from 79.3 in 2022, the Norwegian Road Federation OFV said.

Seeking to become the first nation to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2025, oilproducing Norway exempts fully electric vehicles from many taxes imposed on internal combustion engine rivals, although some levies were introduced in 2023.

Tesla faces a backlash from unions and pension funds in the Nordic region as the automaker refuses to accept a demand from Swedish mechanics for collective bargaining rights covering wages and other conditions.

As a result, Swedish dockworkers, truck drivers, postal employees, electricians, cleaners and others refuse to service Tesla, and have won backing from unions in Norway, Denmark and Finland who…