Last month, car exports, domestic sales, and production all saw increases. In June, car export revenue reached $6.71 billion, marking the highest figure for June on record, while monthly exports of eco-friendly vehicles surpassed 100,000 units for the first time.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 'June 2026 Automotive Industry Trends' report released on the 15th, car export revenue in June was $6.71 billion, a 5.8% increase compared to the same month last year. Domestic sales totaled 160,000 units, and production reached 394,000 units, reflecting increases of 9.5% and 11.6%, respectively.
Regionally, exports to key markets in North America and the European Union (EU) drove the growth. Exports to North America amounted to $3.61 billion, up 12.3%, while exports to the EU reached $870 million, a 13.7% increase. Hybrid vehicle exports led the way in the U.S., while electric vehicle exports surged in Europe.
In contrast, exports to Asia and the Middle East declined. Exports to Asia were $540 million, down 13.7%, and exports to the Middle East fell to $460 million, a decrease of 11.4%. The ministry attributed these declines to a base effect from last year's strong used car exports and the impact of conflicts in the Middle East.
The trend for eco-friendly vehicle exports remained robust. In June, eco-friendly vehicle exports totaled 102,554 units, a 35.4% increase from the same month last year. This marked the first time monthly eco-friendly vehicle exports exceeded 100,000 units. The export value for eco-friendly vehicles also rose to $2.9 billion, up 31.3%. By vehicle type, hybrid exports increased by 48.7% to 72,878 units, while electric vehicle exports grew by 24.4% to 27,823 units.
Eco-friendly vehicles also showed strong performance in domestic sales. In June, domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles reached 94,222 units, accounting for 59% of total domestic sales. Notably, electric vehicle sales surged to 39,031 units, a 92.1% increase compared to the same month last year, driving the expansion of eco-friendly vehicle sales. Hybrid sales also rose by 4.6% to 53,578 units.
Production increased due to rising domestic sales and the resolution of parts supply issues. Last month, car production totaled 394,210 units, an 11.6% increase from the same month last year. The ministry analyzed that the normalization of alternative supplies for parts that had previously caused supply disruptions contributed to the alleviation of production delays for finished vehicles.
Looking at the first half of the year, the overall trend was somewhat mixed. In the first half of this year, car production stood at 2.11 million units, maintaining the same level as the previous year. Domestic sales reached 848,000 units, a 2.5% increase, while export volume was 1.44 million units, up 2.1%. However, export revenue recorded $35.95 billion, a 1.1% decrease compared to the same period last year, largely due to a decline in used car exports.
While June's performance suggests a recovery in the automotive industry, the decrease in export revenue during the first half indicates qualitative challenges. Despite the increase in eco-friendly vehicle exports, the decline in used car exports and sluggish performance in certain regions have pulled down overall export revenue. Therefore, expanding exports of high-value models will be crucial in the second half of the year.
The ministry stated, "In the second half, we expect continued uncertainties in labor relations, the global sales expansion of Chinese companies, and the acceleration of AI transformation in manufacturing. We will closely monitor industry and export production trends and promote support for the stable growth of the automotive industry, including assistance for the transition to future vehicles."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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