Polarization in the auto market continues, sales of luxury imported cars on the rise in South Korea

According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (KAIDA), the number of high-priced imported cars worth 150 million won (about 15.67 million yen) or more sold in Korea in the January-March period was 8,184, down from the same period last year.
Sales of imported cars increased by 78.4% year on year. Meanwhile, sales of imported cars overall decreased by 0.5% to 35,149 units. The increase in purchases of high-priced vehicles by corporations and individuals has led to polarized trends in the automobile market.
In the January-March period of 2025, the number of high-priced imported cars registered under personal names increased by 101.6% to 3,115 units, while those registered under corporate names increased by 66.6% to 5,069 units.
By brand, Germany's BMW was the top with 3,164 units, followed by Germany's Mercedes-Benz with 2,468 units, and Germany's Volkswagen subsidiary Polonnaruwa with 2,468 units.
Next came Toyota with 1,434 units, and the UK's Land Rover with 555 units. According to the Car Is U Data Institute, an automobile information company, sales of small and large cars are increasing compared to mid-size cars.
In April, compact car sales increased 50.7% to 16,786 units, while large car sales increased 46.6% to 19,807 units.
"The global economic slowdown and the polarization of consumption are getting worse," said Lee Hang-gu, a researcher at the Korea Automotive Research Institute.
"While purchases of standard-priced cars are declining, demand for high-priced cars is increasing."