While Chinese staples like hotpot, bubble tea, and spicy hot pot have become popular in South Korea, a new wave of "Chinese style" is quietly winning over local car buyers. According to data released on August 4th by the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA), the total number of new electric vehicle registrations in South Korea reached 198,500 units in the first half of this year. Among these, Chinese-made EVs accounted for 69,500 units, raising their market share from 26.8% in the same period last year to 35%. This means that in South Korea, one out of every three newly registered electric cars is now made in China.
From 7.5% to 35%: The Three-Year Rise of Chinese-Made EVs in South Korea
Earlier KAMA data showed that the total number of registered EVs in South Korea had surpassed 600,000 by the first half of 2023. At that time, domestic automakers held a commanding lead, with Hyundai Motor and Kia combining for a 67.2% share of the market. Chinese-made EVs accounted for just 7.5% of registrations that year. However, in just three years, that figure has surged to 35%, marking a remarkable turnaround for Chinese manufacturing in the Korean auto market.
Tesla's Shanghai Factory Plays a Key Role
Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory has been a major driver behind the popularity of Chinese-made EVs in South Korea. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), South Korea registered 184,000 new imported passenger cars in the first half of this year. Tesla (TSLA) topped the list with 56,100 units, accounting for 30.5% of all imported passenger cars. Data indicates that about 97% of Tesla vehicles imported into South Korea are made in China. Korean media reports further note that in 2025, Tesla Model Y sales in South Korea reached 50,000 units, a 169.3% year-on-year increase, with nearly 99% of those vehicles produced in China.
BYD Leads the Charge for Chinese Brands
Alongside Tesla, Chinese brands like Byd Company Limited (002594) are accelerating their entry into the Korean market, further boosting sales of Chinese-made EVs. Since officially launching in South Korea in early 2025, BYD has introduced models such as the ATTO 3 (Yuan PLUS), SEAL, SEALION 7, and DOLPHIN, quickly gaining popularity for their "high configuration and high cost-performance ratio." KAIDA data shows that in April of this year, Chinese-made cars surpassed Japanese cars to take third place in South Korea's new imported passenger car registrations for the first time. Korean media noted that this statistic for "Chinese-made cars" included only the BYD brand. In other words, BYD's single-month new registrations exceeded the combined total of three Japanese automakers: Lexus, Toyota, and Honda. In the first half of this year, BYD sold over 10,000 units in South Korea, jumping to fourth place in the imported car brand sales rankings, behind only Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
Bright Prospects Drive Chinese Brands to Explore the Korean Market
The rapid growth of Chinese-made EVs in South Korea is no coincidence. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, South Korea registered a total of 852,000 new vehicles in the first half of this year. New-energy vehicles—including hybrids, battery EVs, and hydrogen fuel cell cars—accounted for 50.4% of all new registrations. As the local new energy vehicle market continues to expand, many Chinese brands are choosing to enter this traditional automotive stronghold. Concrete actions are already underway. In May, the Zeekr brand, under Geely, opened its first flagship store in Seoul. Its luxury five-seat electric SUV, the Zeekr 7X, received over 1,000 pre-orders in its first month in South Korea. XPeng Motors has established a local subsidiary and plans to launch products by the end of this year.
Competing on Value, Not Just Price
Entering the market is one thing; establishing a foothold is another. BYD's current models in South Korea are priced between 24.5 million and 46.9 million won (approximately 116,000 to 222,000 yuan), with most models priced around 30 million won (approximately 142,000 yuan). At this price point, there are virtually no competing Korean domestic models. The high cost-performance ratio is underpinned by China's mature new energy vehicle supply chain. China now possesses the world's most complete EV supply chain, from upstream raw material processing to battery manufacturing, motor and electronic control components, and final vehicle assembly. This ensures ample capacity, cost control, and efficient response times, significantly boosting the overall competitiveness of Chinese auto exports.
Positive Impact on the Korean EV Industry
Facing the steady growth of Chinese-made EVs in the Korean market, KAMA believes that the entry of Chinese new energy models has effectively accelerated the popularization of EV technology in South Korea, offering local consumers more choices. This is seen as a positive driver for the industry. KAMA also notes that increased market volume and the influx of diverse brands will force domestic automakers to upgrade their technology and optimize their product lines, thereby raising the overall quality of the regional automotive supply chain. Today's "Made in China" has shed its low-end image. By relying on a mature supply chain, excellent cost control, and solid product strength, Chinese brands are deeply cultivating overseas markets. The competition and complementary development of the new energy vehicle industries in China and South Korea will foster mutual learning and progress for both countries, contributing to the high-quality development of the global new energy sector.
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