The share of hybrid car sales in the domestic auto market topped 30% for the first time last year.
According to automobile registration statistics from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 8th, last year's hybrid sales by the five domestic automakers—Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, KG Mobility, and Renault Korea—totaled 415,921 units.
That was 30.3% of total domestic market sales (1,373,221 units), the highest on record. It was the first time the share of domestic hybrid sales surpassed 30%.
Hybrid cars have rapidly expanded their presence in recent years. After posting a double-digit share for the first time at 10.4% in 2021, the figure rose annually to 13.2% in 2022, 19.5% in 2023, and 26.5% in 2024. Units sold also surged from 149,489 in 2021 to 284,923 in 2023, 361,151 in 2024, and 415,921 last year, setting a new annual sales record each year.
While electric vehicles face a chasm—temporary demand stagnation—due to the burden of charging infrastructure, hybrids are taking hold as a mass-market alternative for offering the strengths of both internal combustion and electric cars.
By model, Kia's "Sorento Hybrid" sold 69,862 units, the most among hybrids in the country last year. It was followed by Kia's "Carnival Hybrid" (46,458 units) and Hyundai Motor's "Santa Fe Hybrid" (43,064 units). Renault Korea's "Grand Koleos Hybrid" sold 35,352 units (No. 6), making it the only non-Hyundai Motor or Kia brand to break into the sales "top 10."
Hybrids are expected to grow this year as well. Genesis, Hyundai Motor's premium brand, is set to unveil its first hybrid lineup this year, and Kia has launched the new Seltos Hybrid. Import brands are also targeting the domestic market with hybrids, with Peugeot recently releasing the "All-New 5008 Smart Hybrid."