Korean Media: BYD Surges 800% in South Korea Market One Year After Entry
On September 28, South Korean media outlet *Herald Economic* published an article stating that Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has now been operating in the South Korean market for one year.
Initially, many questioned whether Chinese-made automobiles could succeed in South Korea. However, the landscape has clearly shifted. In July’s ranking of newly registered imported passenger vehicles, Tesla led the list, followed by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, with BYD coming in fourth—reversing the previous order, as Japanese automakers now trail behind.
Park Jin-wan, Director of the Korea-China Franchise Institute, forecasted: “Since BYD launched its operations in South Korea last year, it has sold over 6,000 units. Cumulative sales reached more than 10,000 units in the first half of this year, and another 2,800 units have been added since then—representing an increase of 800%, a growth rate that is unprecedented. The day when BYD surpasses Tesla will inevitably come.”
BYD ceased production of internal combustion engine vehicles entirely in 2022 and achieved an eightfold increase in output over the following four years. The company surpassed Hyundai-Kia in 2024 and is projected to overtake Tesla in 2025.
BYD’s competitive edge lies in its exceptional value proposition within comparable price segments. “With the exception of tires and glass, all components are produced in-house,” the company emphasizes. Additionally, BYD pioneered a global-first integrated battery-body design and introduced the concept of a powertrain capable of both propulsion and electricity generation—key factors enabling its transformation into a globally significant enterprise.
One year after entering the South Korean market, BYD’s performance has accelerated dramatically. Sales reached 6,107 units in 2025, but by the first half of 2026, cumulative sales had already hit 11,675 units—surpassing its full-year performance from the initial market entry year within just six months. This represents a year-on-year growth rate of 807.9%, placing BYD among the top four imported vehicle brands in South Korea. In July alone, BYD’s sales volume exceeded that of Japanese automakers.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877562525362176/
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