SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - South Korea's auto exports reached a record high for July, led by stronger shipments of eco-friendly vehicles to North America and Europe even as domestic sales barely grew, government data showed Thursday.
Auto exports rose 7.0 percent from a year earlier to $6.24 billion in July, the highest figure ever recorded for the month, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR).
The previous July highs were $5.90 billion in 2023 and $5.83 billion in 2025.
The headline number masked a split in the market. Domestic sales rose just 0.5 percent to 139,256 vehicles, while production climbed 11.3 percent to 352,070 units. Export volume rose faster than export value, increasing 15.3 percent to 244,181 vehicles.
Eco-friendly vehicles drove much of the export gain.
Exports of eco-friendly cars rose 25.5 percent from a year earlier to $2.59 billion in July. Electric and hydrogen vehicle exports jumped 31.9 percent to $940 million, while hybrid exports increased 22.2 percent to $1.65 billion.
Internal-combustion vehicle exports, by contrast, fell 3.1 percent to $3.65 billion.
By region, North America remained the largest export market, with shipments rising 18.0 percent to $3.25 billion. Exports to the United States alone rose 17.9 percent to $2.75 billion.
Exports to the European Union climbed 23.5 percent to $881 million, while shipments to the Middle East rose 12.7 percent to $433 million, marking the region's first increase in eight months.
The ministry attributed the stronger export and production figures to increased working days after major automakers shifted their summer holiday period from July last year to August this year. It also cited steady global demand for eco-friendly vehicles and SUVs.
At home, growth was far more modest.
Local sales of eco-friendly vehicles reached 84,105 units in July, up 14.6 percent from a year earlier and accounting for about 60 percent of total domestic sales. Electric vehicle sales rose 47.5 percent to 35,936 units.
Still, overall domestic sales were held to a marginal gain as sales of domestically produced vehicles fell 3.1 percent, offset by a 14.8 percent rise in imports.
The divergence extended down to individual automakers.
Kia sold 54,735 vehicles in Korea in July, up 21.3 percent from a year earlier, while Hyundai Motor's domestic sales fell 14.4 percent to 48,113 units. Tesla sold 10,237 vehicles, up 39.1 percent, while BYD sold 2,846 vehicles, compared with 292 a year earlier.
On the export side, Kia shipped 105,112 vehicles, up 26.0 percent from a year earlier. Hyundai exported 90,310 units, up 1.4 percent, while GM Korea exported 41,312 vehicles, up 33.4 percent.
The data was released as the ministry held an auto industry meeting with Hyundai Motor, GM Korea, KG Mobility and Renault Korea, along with industry associations and research institutes.
Automakers told the government that maintaining a stable domestic production base of more than 4 million vehicles a year is critical as competition in the global electric vehicle market intensifies, particularly with the rapid growth of Chinese manufacturers.
Participants also discussed the need to shift the auto parts supply chain toward future vehicles and build a cooperative structure in which automakers and parts suppliers can grow together.
Park Dong-il, director general for industrial policy at the ministry, said the government, automakers and parts suppliers should work as "one team" as the global auto industry is reshaped by the transition to future vehicles.
AJP Takeaway
· South Korea's auto exports reached a record July high of $6.24 billion in 2026, up 7.0 percent from a year earlier.· Eco-friendly vehicles drove the increase, with exports rising 25.5 percent to $2.59 billion, while internal-combustion vehicle exports fell 3.1 percent to $3.65 billion.
· Domestic sales rose only 0.5 percent to 139,256 vehicles, while export volume climbed 15.3 percent to 244,181 units.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.