According to vehicle registration statistics released Sunday by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the five major automakers — Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Korea and KG Mobility — sold a combined 1,373,221 vehicles in the domestic market last year. Of those, 415,921 were hybrids.
Hybrids made up 30.3% of total sales, the highest share on record.
The hybrid share has climbed steadily in recent years, rising from 10.4% in 2021 to 13.2% in 2022, 19.5% in 2023 and 26.5% in 2024.
Hybrid sales volume also nearly tripled, from 149,489 vehicles in 2021 to 415,921 last year.
With the shift to full electrification moving more slowly than expected, hybrids have emerged as a mainstream alternative that offers some benefits of electric vehicles without the burden of charging infrastructure, the report said.
The report cited fuel efficiency, quiet operation, driving convenience and lower upkeep costs as strengths that help offset drawbacks such as higher prices and long wait times.
By model, the Kia Sorento Hybrid led the market with 69,862 sold last year. It was followed by the Kia Carnival Hybrid with 46,458 and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid with 43,064.
Renault Korea’s Grand Koleos Hybrid sold 35,352 units, ranking sixth and making it the only non-Hyundai-Kia brand to place in the top 10, the data showed.
The auto industry expects the hybrid market to expand further this year. Genesis plans to introduce its first hybrid lineup, and Kia plans to launch a new Seltos Hybrid to strengthen its position in the small SUV segment.
Interest in hybrid models is also growing in the imported-car market. Global brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, as well as Chinese brands including BYD and Zeekr, are stepping up efforts to target South Korea by emphasizing efficiency and value, the report said.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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