Sales of imported light passenger vehicles in South Korea were largely unchanged at 21,495 units in April 2025 compared with 21,560 units a year earlier, according to registration data released by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (Kaida).
The association attributed last month’s sluggish market performance to recent price increases, as well as inventory shortages for certain brands. Hybrid vehicles accounted for almost 64% of total import sales last month, followed by battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and petrol models with just over 17% each.
Import sales in the first four months of the year increased by 8% to 82,152 units from weak year-earlier sales of 76,143 units, when deliveries were held back by shipping delays caused by geo-political tensions in the Red Sea. 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 3% to 456,450 units in the same period, underpinned mainly by new models from Hyundai and Kia.
German brands accounted for almost 68% of total import sales year-to-date, or some 55,544 units, led by BMW with a 11% rise to 25,322 units, while its Mini subsidiary saw its sales plunge by 29% to 2,053 units. Together, the two brands accounted for 33% of total import sales. Mercedes-Benz saw its sales rebound by 16% to 20,123 units in this period, while Volkswagen Group – including Porsche and Audi – reported a 15% increase to 7,981 units.
US EV maker Tesla’s saw its sales drop by 21% to 6,265 units year-to-date, while Volvo’s sales increased by 8% to 4,571 units. Toyota’s sales fell by 7% to 2,966 units, while its Lexus division enjoyed a 29% surge to 5,230 units.
Chinese automaker BYD, which officially entered the market earlier this year, has delivered 553 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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