Sales of imported light passenger vehicles in South Korea continued to accelerate in August 2025, with deliveries surging by over 23% to 27,304 units from 22,263 units a year earlier, according to registration data released by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA). The association attributed the market’s strong performance in the last few months to improved availability of new models, particularly battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrids.
In the first eight months of 2025, sales of imported vehicles increased by 13% to 192,514 units, up from 169,892 units a year earlier, despite sluggish overall demand for new vehicles in the country due to weak domestic economic growth and high consumer debt. Domestic sales of vehicles produced by the five main local manufacturers increased by just 2.5% to 910,878 units in the eight-month period, underpinned mainly by new models from Hyundai and Kia.
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German-owned brands accounted for 61% of total import sales year-to-date, with almost 117,000 units combined. BMW led the market with an 8% rise to 51,228 units, while its Mini subsidiary saw its volumes decline by 9% to 4,807 units. Together, the two brands accounted for 29% of total import sales so far this year. Mercedes-Benz saw its sales rise by 4% to 41,379 units, while Volkswagen Group reported a 16% jump to 19,120 units, thanks mainly to strong performances by Porsche and Audi.
US EV maker Tesla was the best-selling import brand in August with 7,974 deliveries, resulting in a 55% rise in year-to-date sales to 34,543 units, while Volvo’s sales declined by 8% to 9,095 units. Toyota’s deliveries fell by 2% to 6,162 units, while its Lexus division enjoyed a 15% rise to 10,212 units.
Chinese automaker BYD, which officially entered the market earlier this year, has delivered 1,947 vehicles so far. The company said it aims to have 30 sales outlets operational by the end of the year.
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