The imported passenger car market reaches 300,000. That era opened in 2025.
Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) said on the 6th that last year's number of newly registered imported passenger cars was counted at 307,377. This figure far surpasses the 283,435 units in 2022, when newly registered imported passenger cars were at their highest.
Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) Vice Chairman Jeong Yun-young said, "The 2025 imported passenger car market increased from the previous year thanks to higher electric vehicle sales and the market entry of new brands."
Notably eye-catching brands are Tesla and BYD.
Tesla newly registered 59,916 units last year, ranking third in sales among imported car brands. Tesla came after BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
BYD sold 6,107 units, barely making the top 10 in imported car sales rankings. Industry observers say achieving this level of performance in its first year entering the Korean market is quite an unusual case.
KAIDA reported that newly registered imported passenger cars in December 2025 were counted at 28,608 units, a 2.6% decrease from 29,357 units in November and a 21.6% increase from 23,524 units in December 2024. It also said the cumulative annual figure for 2025 was 307,377 units, a 16.7% increase from the 263,288 units in 2024.
Annual registrations by brand in 2025 were BMW 77,127; Mercedes-Benz 68,467; Tesla 59,916; Volvo 14,903; Lexus 14,891; Audi 11,001; Porsche 10,746; Toyota 9,764; MINI 7,990; BYD 6,107; Land Rover 5,255; Volkswagen 5,125; Ford 4,031; Polestar 2,957; Jeep 2,072; Honda 1,951; Lincoln 1,127; Peugeot 979; Cadillac 785; Lamborghini 478; Bentley 393; Ferrari 354; Maserati 304; Chevrolet 246; GMC 242; Rolls-Royce 166.
Annual registrations by engine displacement were under 2,000cc 129,674 (42.2%), 2,000cc–under 3,000cc 74,015 (24.1%), 3,000cc–under 4,000cc 7,776 (2.5%), 4,000cc and above 4,659 (1.5%), and other (electric vehicles) 91,253 (29.7%).
By country in 2025, Europe led with 206,245 (67.1%), the United States 68,419 (22.3%), Japan 26,606 (8.7%), and China 6,107 (2.0%). By fuel type, hybrid 174,218 (56.7%), electric 91,253 (29.7%), gasoline 38,512 (12.5%), and diesel 3,394 (1.1%).
By purchase type in 2025, of the 307,377 units, individual purchases were 197,279 (64.2%) and corporate purchases were 110,098 (35.8%). By region for individual purchases, Gyeonggi 62,858 (31.9%), Seoul 39,189 (19.9%), Incheon 12,719 (6.4%). By region for corporate purchases, Busan 34,028 (30.9%), Incheon 29,670 (26.9%), Gyeongnam 18,428 (16.7%).
The best-selling models in 2025 were Tesla Model Y (37,925), Mercedes-Benz E 200 (15,567), and BMW 520 (14,579).
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