More than 30,000 imported cars were sold in South Korea last month, demonstrating continued growth in the market. Tesla surpassed 10,000 monthly sales, maintaining its position as the top seller in the import car sector.
According to the Korea Automobile Importers Association (KAIDA), the number of new registrations for imported passenger cars in July reached 30,976, a 14.3% increase compared to the same month last year. However, this figure represents an 18.6% decrease from the previous month (38,059 units), attributed to supply shortages for some brands and the impact of the vacation season. From January to July this year, the cumulative number of imported car registrations totaled 215,008, marking a 30.1% increase from the same period last year.
In July, Tesla sold 10,237 vehicles, securing its position as the leading brand in the import car market. Following Tesla were BMW with 6,533 units, Mercedes-Benz with 3,959 units, BYD with 2,846 units, Lexus with 1,474 units, Toyota with 1,340 units, Volvo with 958 units, Audi with 935 units, Porsche with 635 units, and MINI with 632 units.
Tesla also dominated the best-selling model category, with the Model Y Premium leading sales at 6,612 units. The Model Y Premium Long Range (2,092 units) and Model 3 Premium Long Range (1,239 units) secured the second and third spots, respectively.
The trend toward eco-friendly vehicles continued, with electric cars accounting for 15,428 units, or 49.8% of total sales. Hybrids followed with 12,840 units (41.5%). In contrast, gasoline vehicles totaled 2,514 units (8.1%), and diesel vehicles accounted for just 194 units (0.6%).
By country of origin, European brands led with 14,841 units (47.9%), followed by American brands with 10,464 units (33.8%), Chinese brands with 2,846 units (9.2%), and Japanese brands with 2,825 units (9.1%).
Jung Yoon-young, vice president of the Korea Automobile Importers Association, stated, "The new registrations of imported passenger cars in July decreased compared to the previous month due to supply shortages for some brands and the impact of the vacation season."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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