The imported car brand with the highest sales in Korea on the 3rd was Tesla, which sold 11,130 units. For the first time among imported brands, Tesla surpassed 10,000 units in monthly sales.
The Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) said on Apr. 3 that new registrations of imported passenger cars on the 3rd totaled 33,970, up 34.6% from a year earlier. The figure rose 24.9% from the previous month. Cumulative registrations for the first quarter were 82,120, up 35.4% from a year earlier.
Tesla ranked first in sales for two consecutive months through the 3rd, following February. The Model Y Premium sold the most at 5,517 units. The Model 3 Premium Long Range came in at 1,905, and the Model 3 at 1,255, with Tesla models sweeping the top three in March sales.
By brand, BMW ranked second with 6,785 registrations. It was followed by Mercedes-Benz with 5,419, BYD 1,664, Volvo 1,496, Audi 1,300, Lexus 1,178, Porsche 911, Mini 878, and Toyota 738.
By fuel type, boosted by Tesla's sales, electric vehicles surpassed hybrid vehicles (HEVs) in sales. On the 3rd, electric vehicle sales were 16,249. In contrast, HEV sales were 14,585. Gasoline came to 2,956, and diesel to 180.
By purchase type, of the 33,970 units, individual purchases were 23,631, or 69.6%, and corporate purchases were 10,339, or 30.4%.