Sales of imported light passenger vehicles in South Korea rose by over 16% to 28,189 units in May 2025 compared with 24,209 units a year earlier, according to registration data released by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (Kaida).
The association attributed last month’s strong market performance to improved inventory of new models, following shortages in previous months. Hybrid vehicles accounted for over 53% of total import sales last month, followed by battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with 34% and internal combustion engine (ICE) models with just under 13%.
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Import sales in the first five months of the year increased by 10% to 110,341 units from 100,352 units a year earlier. Overall demand for new vehicles in South Korea remains sluggish, amid weak domestic economic growth and high consumer debt. Domestic sales of vehicles produced by the five main local manufacturers rose by just over 2% to 569,885 units in the same period, underpinned mainly by new models from Hyundai and Kia.
German-owned brands accounted for almost 65% of total import sales year-to-date, with some 71,800 units combined, led by BMW with a 10% rise to 31,727 units, while its Mini subsidiary saw its sales plunge by 27% to 2,643 units. Together, the two brands accounted for 31% of total import sales. Mercedes-Benz saw its sales rebound by 14% to 26,538 units in this period, while Volkswagen Group reported a 24% jump to 10,791 units, thanks mainly to strong rebounds by Porsche and Audi.
US EV maker Tesla saw its sales rose by 6% to 12,835 units year-to-date, while Volvo’s sales fell slightly to 5,700 units. Toyota’s sales fell by 5% to 3,691 units, while its Lexus division enjoyed an 18% rise to 6,364 units.
Chinese automaker BYD, which officially entered the market earlier this year, has delivered 1,066 vehicles so far. The company said it aims to have 30 sales outlets in place by the end of the year.
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By GlobalData
