New electric vehicles will roll out one after another in Korea's imported car market next year. This year, Tesla kept its lead with the Juniper, a facelift of the Model Y. In response, traditional luxury brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz plan to counter by unveiling new electrified models.
Following BYD, a new Chinese brand, Zeekr, will also enter the Korean market. BYD, the world's largest electric vehicle maker, released three EVs this year: the Atto 3, Seal and Sea Lion 7. Next year, Zeekr, the premium brand of China's Geely Automobile Holdings, will join in and plans to launch luxury models that will compete with Hyundai Motor Group's Genesis.
◇ BMW, Benz to launch midsize SUV EVs… Audi to unveil new A6
According to the auto industry on the 31st, BMW plans to sell the iX3, the electrified version of its core-selling midsize sport utility vehicle (SUV) X3, starting in the third quarter next year. The iX3 is the first mass-production model on BMW's next-generation platform, Noirer Klasse. It goes from a standstill to 100 kph in 4.9 seconds, and with a 108.7 kWh high-capacity battery, it can travel up to 805 km on a single charge (Europe standard).
In the fourth quarter, a facelifted version of the large 7 Series sedan will also arrive. BMW plans to target Korea's luxury electric sedan market—still seen as lacking a "dominant player"—by offering the electrified i7 alongside the internal combustion 7 Series.
MINI, part of BMW Group, will release limited editions each quarter. Starting in the first quarter with the Mini Paul Smith Edition EV, the JCW Victory Edition will follow in the second quarter, the Countryman Desert Night Edition in the third quarter, and in the fourth quarter the Paul Smith Edition internal combustion model and the Oxford Edition will arrive.
Mercedes-Benz will also introduce one EV each from its volume models in the first and second halves. In the first half, the all-new electric CLA, an electric version of the compact CLA, will debut, followed in the second half by the all-new electric GLC based on the midsize SUV GLC. After launching the electric versions of the CLA and GLC, Benz also plans to sell hybrid models in Korea.
The second-generation new model of the compact SUV GLB, which Benz recently unveiled for the first time in the world, is also expected to launch in Korea in the second half next year. The new GLB was first revealed as an electric model, with hybrid trims to be added later. The new GLB can travel up to 630 km on a single charge (Europe standard) and will be released in two versions: five-seater and seven-seater (third row).
Audi will release a full-change model of the midsize A6 sedan in the first half. Only the internal combustion version will come to Korea. A facelifted version of the compact SUV Q3 is also expected to go on sale in Korea starting in the second half.
Porsche will launch the coupe-style 911 Turbo S and the compact SUV Macan GTS in the first half. In the second half, it plans to unveil the Cayenne Electric, the electrified version of the midsize-large SUV Cayenne.
◇ Tesla to launch Model 3 Long Range RWD… China's Zeekr also makes its debut
Tesla is expected to defend its position by releasing early next year the Model 3 Premium Long Range rear-wheel-drive (RWD) version of its midsize Model 3 sedan, which extends driving range. The car was recently certified in Korea. Its range is 551 km (588 km city, 506 km highway), exceeding the standard RWD (382 km) and the Long Range all-wheel-drive (AWD, 508 km).
GMC, General Motors' (GM) pickup truck and SUV brand, plans to roll out the Hummer EV electric truck in the first quarter. The vehicle delivers up to 1,000 horsepower and accelerates from a standstill to 100 kph in 3 seconds. The imported car industry also expects GMC's midsize-large SUV Acadia and midsize pickup truck Canyon to launch in Korea next year. Both models have already been certified in Korea.
BYD plans to launch the Dolphin, a small electric hatchback, in the first half. Market watchers say it will sell in Korea in the 20 million won range.
A new Chinese EV brand, Zeekr, is also likely to draw interest from Korean consumers. Zeekr is the premium brand of Geely Automobile Holdings, a major Chinese automaker. It occupies a similar position to Hyundai Motor Group's Genesis. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., to which Geely Automobile Holdings belongs, acquired Sweden's Volvo, the luxury EV brand Polestar and British sports car maker Lotus, and has strong recognition in Korea.
Zeekr's first model to be sold in Korea is likely to be the 7X, a midsize SUV. The 7X is a first-generation model launched last year, built on the SEA EV-specific platform developed by Geely Automobile Holdings. It uses the same 800V high-voltage system as the Polestar 5 and can travel up to 543 km on a single charge.