SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - Sales of imported cars in South Korea exceeded 30,000 units again last month, with Tesla taking the top spot after its monthly sales surpassed 10,000 vehicles, according to data released on Wednesday by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association.
The number of newly registered imported passenger cars totaled 30,976 in July, up 14.3 percent from a year earlier but down 18.6 percent from 38,059 in the previous month, with the association attributing the decline to supply shortages at some brands and the summer vacation season.
The cumulative number of registrations in the first seven months of this year reached 215,008, up 30.1 percent from the same period a year earlier.
By make, Tesla led July sales with 10,237 vehicles, followed by BMW with 6,533 and Mercedes-Benz with 3,959. They were followed by BYD (2,846), Lexus (1,474), Toyota (1,340), Volvo (958), Audi (935), Porsche (635) and MINI (632).
Tesla also dominated the best-selling models list, with the Model Y Premium ranking first with 6,612 units sold, followed by the Model Y Premium Long Range (2,092 units) and the Model 3 Premium Long Range (1,239 units).
With eco-friendly vehicles continuing to drive sales, electric vehicles totaled 15,428 units, accounting for 49.8 percent. Gasoline models accounted for 8.1 percent or 2,514 units, while diesel models made up 0.6 percent or 194 units.
European brands made up nearly half of sales with 14,841 vehicles or 47.9 percent. U.S. brands followed with 10,464 vehicles or 33.8 percent, while Chinese and Japanese brands sold 2,846 and 2,825 vehicles, respectively.
AJP Takeaways:
- Imported car sales in South Korea totaled 30,976 units in July 2026, according to data released by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) on Aug. 5, 2026.
- July 2026 imported car sales rose 14.3 percent year-over-year but fell 18.6 percent from June 2026's 38,059 units, a decline KAIDA attributed to supply shortages at some brands and the summer vacation season.
- Cumulative imported car registrations for January through July 2026 reached 215,008 units, up 30.1 percent from the same period in 2025.
- Tesla led July 2026 imported car sales in South Korea with 10,237 vehicles, followed by BMW with 6,533 units and Mercedes-Benz with 3,959 units.
- Rounding out the top ten imported car brands in South Korea for July 2026 were BYD (2,846 units), Lexus (1,474 units), Toyota (1,340 units), Volvo (958 units), Audi (935 units), Porsche (635 units), and MINI (632 units).
The number of newly registered imported passenger cars totaled 30,976 in July, up 14.3 percent from a year earlier but down 18.6 percent from 38,059 in the previous month, with the association attributing the decline to supply shortages at some brands and the summer vacation season.
The cumulative number of registrations in the first seven months of this year reached 215,008, up 30.1 percent from the same period a year earlier.
By make, Tesla led July sales with 10,237 vehicles, followed by BMW with 6,533 and Mercedes-Benz with 3,959. They were followed by BYD (2,846), Lexus (1,474), Toyota (1,340), Volvo (958), Audi (935), Porsche (635) and MINI (632).
Tesla also dominated the best-selling models list, with the Model Y Premium ranking first with 6,612 units sold, followed by the Model Y Premium Long Range (2,092 units) and the Model 3 Premium Long Range (1,239 units).
With eco-friendly vehicles continuing to drive sales, electric vehicles totaled 15,428 units, accounting for 49.8 percent. Gasoline models accounted for 8.1 percent or 2,514 units, while diesel models made up 0.6 percent or 194 units.
European brands made up nearly half of sales with 14,841 vehicles or 47.9 percent. U.S. brands followed with 10,464 vehicles or 33.8 percent, while Chinese and Japanese brands sold 2,846 and 2,825 vehicles, respectively.
AJP Takeaways:
- Imported car sales in South Korea totaled 30,976 units in July 2026, according to data released by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) on Aug. 5, 2026.
- July 2026 imported car sales rose 14.3 percent year-over-year but fell 18.6 percent from June 2026's 38,059 units, a decline KAIDA attributed to supply shortages at some brands and the summer vacation season.
- Cumulative imported car registrations for January through July 2026 reached 215,008 units, up 30.1 percent from the same period in 2025.
- Tesla led July 2026 imported car sales in South Korea with 10,237 vehicles, followed by BMW with 6,533 units and Mercedes-Benz with 3,959 units.
- Rounding out the top ten imported car brands in South Korea for July 2026 were BYD (2,846 units), Lexus (1,474 units), Toyota (1,340 units), Volvo (958 units), Audi (935 units), Porsche (635 units), and MINI (632 units).
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