Chinese Cars Top Japanese in April Korea Import Registrations

In April 2025, Chinese-made vehicles ranked third among newly registered imported cars in South Korea, with 2,023 units registered—surpassing Japanese-made vehicles for the first time, which totaled 1,974 units. This marks the first time on record that monthly registrations of Chinese-branded vehicles have exceeded those of Japanese brands in South Korea’s imported car market. Total new imported vehicle registrations in South Korea that month reached 33,993 units. European-made vehicles led the market with 16,800 units, followed by American-made vehicles at 13,600 units. Notably, China achieved this milestone solely through BYD, whose sales alone surpassed the combined total of Japan’s top three brands: Lexus (1,079 units), Toyota (829 units), and Honda (66 units). Data shows that the market share of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in South Korea has surged from 4.7% in 2022 to 33.9% in 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, Chinese EV sales in the country rose by 286.1% year-over-year. Meanwhile, Honda’s full-year sales in South Korea are projected to reach only 1,951 units in 2025—down approximately 84% from its peak of around 12,000 units in 2008. Nissan exited the South Korean market in 2020, and Honda has announced it will fully withdraw from the country’s automotive business by the end of 2025. South Korea’s imported car market is rapidly transitioning toward electrification. In April 2025, registrations of imported battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reached 18,319 units, accounting for 53.9% of total imports—the first time BEVs have comprised more than half of the market. Hybrid vehicles made up 37.6%, while internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles (gasoline and diesel combined) accounted for less than 9%. The South Korean government plans to allocate 9.36 trillion won (approximately $6.9 billion) in 2026 for EV subsidies, a 20% increase from the previous year. Additionally, rising global oil prices have driven up local fuel costs, further accelerating consumer adoption of electric vehicles. Against this backdrop, Chinese automakers are gaining greater acceptance in South Korea, leveraging their technological edge in electrification and competitive pricing. Although Chinese brands still trail significantly behind leading European and American import brands, this recent milestone is widely seen as a pivotal shift in the structure of South Korea’s imported vehicle market.