Tesla, the global automaker, announced a new record number of deliveries of 310,048 cars worldwide during the first quarter of this year.

The number was driven by growing consumer demand with the shift to electric vehicles, the company said, although CEO Elon Musk described the results as a difficult first quarter. exceptionally.

The deliveries slightly exceeded analysts' expectations of 309,158 vehicles, based on the average estimate compiled by Bloomberg and seen by Al Arabiya.net.

Despite record deliverables, Tesla has struggled with fluctuations in COVID-19 infection rates, and turbulent lockdown rules around the world to affect supply chains and supplies.

The automaker also temporarily halted production at its Shanghai factory starting last month after the city imposed a lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.

This has been an exceptionally difficult quarter due to supply chain disruptions and China's policy to completely eliminate COVID-19,' Musk said in a tweet. By the Tesla team and major suppliers saved the situation.

Quarterly deliveries are among the most closely watched indicators for Tesla as they underpin the automaker's financial results. This number is also seen as a measure of the demand for electric cars in general, as Tesla is the world's leading electric car manufacturer.

Tesla said its number of deliveries is conservative and that final numbers could vary by 0.5% or more. The company produced 305,407 vehicles during the first quarter.