BYD Sells Over 20,000 Vehicles in South Korea in First Nine Months of 2026, Ranks Fourth Among Imported Car Brands

Seoul resident Kim Min-sun purchased a BYD Dolphin in July 2026. She had previously planned to buy a Hyundai Casper EV but was told the delivery wait would exceed two years. The BYD Dolphin is priced at approximately $18,500 and is available for immediate delivery. Data from market research firm Carisyou shows that BYD sold over 20,000 vehicles in South Korea in the first nine months of 2026, surpassing the combined sales of Toyota and Lexus in the country. The Dolphin sold 8,198 units from January to September, ranking fifth among all imported models; the Sealion 7 sold over 7,000 units, ranking sixth. BYD has risen to fourth place among imported car brands in South Korea, with a market share of 9.7%. Geely's Zeekr began accepting orders for the 7X SUV in South Korea in June, initiated customer deliveries on October 22, and plans to open up to 14 showrooms by year-end. Chery is expected to enter the South Korean market in 2027. XPeng established a subsidiary in South Korea in 2025 and is currently recruiting a head of retail network, with plans to deliver its first model in the first quarter of 2027. Jung Dae-jin, chairman of the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association, called on the government to provide tax incentives for domestically produced electric vehicles.