Chinese EVs take South Korea by storm
Electric vehicles made in China accounted for more than a third of all EVs sold in South Korea in the first half of 2026, Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday. When every third new electric vehicle on the streets of Seoul turns out to be made in China, and the South Korean market – once considered a stronghold of local giants – begins to accept new rules, it becomes clear that the global auto industry is undergoing a tectonic shift. Chinese EVs, from mass‑market BYD models to premium Polestar and even Tesla cars assembled in Shanghai, are rapidly conquering one of Asia's most demanding and technologically advanced countries. An import surge of nearly 179% in six months is not just a statistic – it is a sign that price, quality and innovation are winning over brand loyalty. And when China overtakes Germany for the first time in automotive imports to Korea, it is not just a change of leader – it is a change of era.
A report citing the latest analysis released on Tuesday by the Korea Automobile and Mobility Association (KAMA) said registrations of Chinese‑made EVs from January to June totalled 69,513 units, up 178.7% from the same period last year. This surge increased their share of the South Korean EV market to 35% in January‑June from 26.8% a year earlier, the report said. The growth was largely driven by an influx of Tesla Model Y and Model 3 vehicles produced at the company's Shanghai Gigafactory, as well as cheaper models from leading Chinese EV maker BYD and premium Chinese‑built vehicles from Swedish EV maker Polestar, according to Yonhap. Chinese production also reshaped South Korea's broader imported car market. From January to June, registrations of Chinese‑made vehicles rose nearly 128% year‑on‑year to 79,444 units. That gave China a 41.2% share of the market by country of origin, allowing it to overtake Germany for the first time and become the largest source of imports, the report said.
South Korea has long been considered one of the most closed markets for foreign automakers, dominated by local brands Hyundai and Kia. However, the rapid rise of EVs, government subsidies and the expansion of charging infrastructure have opened the door to imports. Chinese manufacturers, leveraging their technological and price advantages, have not only boosted shipments of finished vehicles but also strengthened their position through Tesla's localised production in Shanghai, which allows the US brand to also count as "Chinese" exports. According to KAMA, South Korea's overall imported car market grew by nearly 20% in the first half of 2026, with China as the main driver. Experts attribute this to China's proactive policy of promoting EVs in overseas markets, as well as a diversified model range that now includes not only budget but also luxury models.
As CCTV+ reports, the success of Chinese EVs in South Korea is yet another confirmation that the global shift to electric transport increasingly depends on Chinese manufacturing capacity and technology, and that traditional auto powers are forced to revise their strategies in the new competitive environment.
