Sales of imported light passenger vehicles in South Korea continued to grow strongly in April 2026, with volumes surging by 58% to 33,993 units from 21,495 units in the same month last year, according to registration data released by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA).
The import segment continued to significantly outperform the domestic market last month, driven by strong demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). In the first four months of 2026, import sales rose by 41% to 116,113 units from 82,152 units a year earlier, while domestic sales by the country’s five main automakers fell by 2% to 444,413 units in the same period.
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US BEV maker Tesla was behind most of the import segment’s strong growth, with sales surging more than fivefold to 34,154 units year-to-date, accounting for 29% of total imports.
BMW slipped into second place after its sales rose by just under 3% to 26,026 units, while sales by its Mini subsidiary rose by 29% to 2,651 units. Together, the two brands accounted for less than 25% of total import sales.
Mercedes-Benz’s four-month sales also rose by just under 3% to 20,658 units. Earlier this year, the German automaker launched a new product offensive in the country, which includes the launch of ten new and facelifted passenger vehicle models this year as the company looks to strengthen its electrified vehicle line-up. Four of these models will be based on new platforms, including battery-powered and hybrid CLA sedans and the new battery-powered GLC and GLB SUVs.
Volkswagen Group reported a 9% sales rise to 8,679 units in the four-month period, led by strong demand for Audi and Porsche models. The group’s Porsche brand is expanding its sales network and plans to launch more than ten new models in the country this year. Toyota’s sales increased just slightly to 2,982 units, while its Lexus division saw its sales fall by almost 8% to 4,834 units.
BYD has made strong inroads into the South Korean market in the last year, with sales amounting to 5,991 units year-to-date. The company launched three new models earlier this year, including a rear-wheel-drive version of the Seal, the Dolphin hatchback, and a Dual Mode intelligent (DM-i) plug-in hybrid model.
Volvo’s sales increased by less than 4% to 4,733 units. Stellantis announced that it is stepping up its sales operations in the country with the launch of the Peugeot 5008 hybrid SUV and the Jeep Grand Cherokee this year, while Polestar said it aims to sell 4,000 BEVs in 2026, helped by the introduction of the Polestar 3 and 5 models.
