South Korea August 2025: Hyundai Avante and Tesla Model Y on top, Kia PV5 lands

The Kia PV5 has landed in its home charts.

The South Korean new light vehicle market edges up 1% year-on-year in August to 138,408 units, that includes 111,109 for domestic manufacturers (-3.2%) and 27,299 for foreigners (+22.6%). The year-to-date tally is now up 3.2% to 1,100,839 including 908,543 locals (+1.3%) and 192,296 foreigners (+13.2%). Hyundai (+2.6%) easily holds onto the brands top spot with 35.4% share, distancing its sister brand Kia (-6.8%) at 31.6%. Genesis (-29.6%) is in trouble and below the 10,000 sales mark for the third time in the past 4 months. Tesla (+261.1%) roars ahead to #4, breaking its volume (7,974) and share (5.8%) records. BMW (+9.8%) follows ahead of Mercedes (-18%). KG Mobility (+2.8%) stays at #7 and Renault Korea (+186.5%) at #8.

The Hyundai Avante (+94.3%) tops the models charts for the first time since September 2021 and ranks #3 year-to-date where it is up 51.6%. Leader for 10 consecutive months up to June, the Kia Sorento (+86.5%) sports a fantastic YoY gain but ends the month in 2nd place. #1 in July, the Kia Carnival (+9%) is down to #3, followed by the Kia Sportage (-3.9%) and Hyundai Porter (+7.3%). The Hyundai Palisade (+242.2%) continues to align superb performances due to the new generation but drops three spots on July to #6. The striking Kia PV5 lands at #52. Among foreign models, the Tesla Model Y (+450%) triumphs and even ranks #2 when including domestic models. The BMW 7 Series (+79.5%), 5 Series (+78.3%), Tesla Model 3 (+40.2%) and BMW X5 (+38.6%) also stand out. 

Previous month: South Korea July 2025: Kia Carnival topples Sorento to #1, Hyundai Palisade #3

One year ago: South Korea August 2024: Hyundai Sonata #1, Kia EV3 breaks into Top 10

Full August 2025 Top 31 All brands, Top 59 All domestic models and Top 50 foreigners below.