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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Tesla and BYD both posted record monthly sales in South Korea in April, capturing strong demand for electric vehicles amid high fuel prices.
According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, newly registered imported passenger cars totaled 33,993 units in April.
Tesla led the market for the third consecutive month with 13,190 units, surpassing 10,000 monthly sales for the second straight month and setting a new record. Its Model Y Premium drove performance, selling 9,328 units and ranking as the best-selling imported model.
BYD also recorded its highest-ever monthly sales at 2,023 units, maintaining fourth place for a second consecutive month and overtaking Volvo Cars. The figure accounts for roughly one-third of its total annual sales last year, raising expectations it could surpass 10,000 units this year.
Tesla and BYD together accounted for 44.7% of the imported car market and 83% of the imported EV segment.
Among legacy brands, BMW ranked second with 6,658 units, followed by Mercedes-Benz with 4,796 units.
By fuel type, electric vehicles led with 18,319 units (53.9%), followed by hybrids at 12,777 units (37.6%), gasoline at 2,734 units (8.0%), and diesel at 163 units (0.5%).
KAIDA Vice Chairman Jung Yoon-young said overall import car sales remained stable compared to the previous month, supported by strong EV demand and new model launches.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
