SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) -South Korea’s auto exports opened the year on a strong footing, extending momentum from a record 2025, as a weak won and resilient demand from Europe and other markets for hybrid and secondhand vehicles helped offset lingering tariff pressures in the United States.
Outbound shipments in January rose 21.7 percent from a year earlier to $6.07 billion, the second-highest export total ever recorded for the month, according to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Thursday.
The solid start follows a record $72 billion in auto exports in 2025, marking three consecutive years above the $70 billion threshold, driven by environmentally friendly vehicles and used-car exports.
Hybrid vehicle exports reached $1.71 billion in January, up 85.5 percent on year, while electric vehicle exports increased 21.2 percent to $780 million. Eco-friendly models accounted for 42 percent of total auto export value during the month.
By region, shipments to the United States rose 19.2 percent to $2.66 billion as tariff rate was lowered 15 percent from 25 part as a part of a trade deal reached in November.
Exports to the European Union climbed 34.4 percent to $871 million, with other European markets surging 44.8 percent. Shipments also expanded to Latin America, Oceania and Africa. Exports to Asia, however, fell 30.1 percent, while those to the Middle East edged down 0.4 percent.
In volume terms, auto exports increased 23.4 percent on year to 247,000 units. Eco-friendly vehicles accounted for 92,000 units, up 51.5 percent, representing 37.4 percent of total export volume.
Domestic sales also strengthened. January auto sales rose 14 percent to 121,000 units, led by a 48.3 percent surge in eco-friendly vehicle sales to 58,000 units. Electric vehicle sales more than quintupled from a year earlier to 10,098 units.
Production climbed 24.1 percent to 361,000 units, supported by both export and domestic demand. All five major automakers increased output from a year earlier, with Renault Korea posting a sharp rebound after temporary factory suspensions in early 2025 for electric vehicle facility upgrades.
The ministry attributed the January gains partly to more working days compared with a year earlier, as this year’s Lunar New Year holiday fell in February rather than January.
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