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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, October 26, 2025 — The combined domestic sales of South Korea’s three mid-sized automakers — Renault Korea Motors, KG Mobility, and GM Korea — have fallen behind Tesla for the first time this year, according to data from the Carisyou Data Research Institute (KDRI).
Amid a shortage of new model releases, the three automakers collectively sold 82,464 vehicles in the domestic market during the first nine months of 2025, while Tesla sold 43,637 units, outpacing each of them individually.
By brand, Renault Korea recorded 40,431 units, KG Mobility 29,969 units, and GM Korea 12,064 units — all trailing Tesla’s performance. This marks a major milestone for the U.S. electric vehicle maker, whose Korean sales soared 84.8% year-on-year, ranking third among imported car brands, behind BMW (57,840 units) and Mercedes-Benz (48,248 units).
Of the three Korean automakers, Renault Korea was the only one to post growth this year (up 141%), buoyed by strong sales of its mid-size SUV “Grand Koleos”, launched in late 2024. In contrast, KG Mobility (-18%) and GM Korea (-37.2%) saw sharp declines amid an absence of new models.
Industry analysts forecast that the three companies’ full-year domestic sales will remain around 100,000 units, extending their multi-year slump. Combined annual sales fell from 258,359 units in 2020 to 109,101 units in 2024, while their market share dropped from 11.2% in 2021 to 7.6% in 2024.
The reversal underscores a changing competitive landscape in South Korea’s automotive market, where Tesla’s rapid growth and rising EV demand are reshaping the mid-tier segment once dominated by domestic brands.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
