Last year, sales of imported passenger cars in Korea topped 300,000 for the first time. With Tesla's surge, a triad led by BMW and Mercedes-Benz solidified, and eco-friendly cars such as hybrids and electric vehicles became the mainstream.
According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) on the 6th, the number of newly registered imported passenger cars last year was 307,377, up 16.7% from a year earlier. It is the highest since related statistics have been compiled in 1987. The previous record was 283,435 set in 2022.
By brand, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla together accounted for nearly 70% of total new registrations with 205,510 units. BMW took first place with 77,127 units, followed by Mercedes-Benz (68,467) and Tesla (59,916) in second and third, respectively.
With this, BMW has defended its No. 1 position among imported passenger car brands for three consecutive years since 2023. Mercedes-Benz ranked first from 2016 to 2022. Tesla entered third place for the first time in 2024 and maintained third for the second straight year, and it is notable that its sales surged 101.4%, widening the gap with fourth place.
They were followed by Volvo (14,903), Lexus (14,891), Audi (11,001), Porsche (10,746) and Toyota (9,764).
By fuel type, eco-friendly cars became the mainstream. Hybrids accounted for 174,218 units, or 56.7% of the total, and electric vehicles also recorded 91,253 units, or 29.7%. Gasoline (38,512) and diesel (3,394) stood at 12.5% and 1.1%, respectively.
Last year's best-selling model was Tesla's "Model Y" (37,925). Mercedes-Benz "E 200" (15,567) and BMW "520" (14,579) followed.