Imported cars led by Tesla near 20% market share

Imported vehicles, spearheaded by Tesla, are approaching a 20% share of the South Korean automotive market. In response to a domestic sales slump and rising imports, Hyundai is reorganizing its leadership structure. This development highlights growing competition in the local industry.

The South Korean automotive sector is witnessing a significant shift as imported cars, primarily driven by Tesla's popularity, edge closer to capturing 20% of the market. According to recent reports, this surge in foreign vehicles has prompted domestic giant Hyundai to undertake a leadership reorganization aimed at addressing the ongoing slump in local sales and countering the influx of imports.

Hyundai's move comes amid challenges in its home market, where imported models are gaining traction. The company's efforts focus on revitalizing its strategy to regain competitive ground. While specific details of the reorganization remain limited, it underscores the pressure on Korean automakers to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and global trends.

This development reflects broader dynamics in the industry, with Tesla's electric vehicles playing a pivotal role in the import boom. As of late December 2025, the market share milestone signals potential long-term changes for South Korea's auto landscape.

Related Articles

Illustration of BYD EVs surging past Tesla on a futuristic highway, featuring sales triumph charts and global EV growth projections for a news article on China's EV dominance.
Image generated by AI

BYD's 2025 EV Triumph: Industry Reactions and Market Outlook

Reported by AI Image generated by AI

Building on BYD's milestone of surpassing Tesla with 2.26 million BEV sales in 2025 versus Tesla's 1.64 million deliveries, industry leaders highlight China's dominance while global EV growth accelerates toward 40-50% market share by 2030.

Hyundai Motor and Kia achieved a record combined market share in the United States in 2025, despite aggressive tariff measures from the Trump administration. The success was driven by expanded local production and strong hybrid vehicle sales. The two companies sold a total of 1.84 million vehicles, capturing 11.3% of the market.

Reported by AI

Hyundai Motor Group is seeking to restore its relevance in China, but analysts say the odds of a meaningful turnaround are slim in the hypercompetitive auto market. Beijing Hyundai, the joint venture with BAIC Group, stated it will open core capabilities in electrification and intelligent technologies, dispatch senior experts, and introduce the premium brand.

New details from 2025 full-year figures show China's BYD extending its advantage over Tesla by over 600,000 EV units, fueled by overseas expansion and stark December contrasts in markets like Germany.

Reported by AI

Tesla's vehicle registrations in Europe dropped sharply in November, with a 49% decline reported by the region's automotive association. Key markets like France and Sweden saw significant falls despite the launch of a new Model Y range. Growing Chinese competition and an aging lineup contributed to the sales rout.

Building on November 2025 slumps across the US, Europe, UK, and China, Tesla's full-year 2025 sales fell for the second straight year, ceding its spot as the world's top EV seller. Key pressures included backlash against CEO Elon Musk's politics, U.S. tax incentive expirations, and surging competition, with shares dropping 5% after Nvidia's open-source autonomous driving reveal.

Reported by AI

Toyota Motor Corp. group held the top spot in global auto sales for the sixth straight year in 2025, with group sales rising 4.6% to 11.32 million units. Strong demand for hybrid vehicles in North America helped it outperform Volkswagen significantly. The achievement came despite trade tensions and rising Chinese competition.

 

 

 

This website uses cookies

We use cookies for analytics to improve our site. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Decline