South Korea October 2025: Tesla (+244.4%), BYD (#12) can’t help market off -12.9%

Tesla sales are up 3-fold in South Korea.

After surging 20.8% last month, the South Korea new light vehicle market is back to earth in October at a painful -12.9% YoY to 126,747 units. This is entirely the fault of domestic models off -17.3% to 102,685 and 81% share just as foreigners gain 13.2% to 24,062 and 19% share. The year-to-date tally remains in positive however at +3.2% to 1,385,108 including 1,135,920 domestic models (+0.8%) and 249,188 foreigners (+15.4%). The Top 3 brands (all domestic) are hit hard: Hyundai is off -17.5%, Kia down -13.1% and Genesis drops -15%. In contrast BMW (+1%) edges up and gains two spots on last month to #4. It distances Mercedes (-9.2%) and Tesla (+244.4%) posting another fantastic result. Newcomer BYD breaks its ranking (#12) and share (0.7%) records.

The BYD Sealion 7 is among the Top 10 best-selling foreign models in October.

Over in the domestic models ranking, the Kia Sorento (-14.7%) skids but delivers a 21st win in the past 26 months and easily stays on top year-to-date. The Hyundai Avante (+0.4%) is stable and repeats at #2, a ranking it now also holds year-to-date, passing the Kia Carnival (-20%) down to #6 for the month. The Hyundai Grandeur (-31.7%), Santa Fe (-33.4%) and Sonata (-8.8%) complete the Top 5. The Hyundai Palisade (+152.4%) continues to benefit from the new generation but is stuck in 10th place vs. #7 through October. Other great gainers below include the Hyundai Kona (+26.7%), Genesis GV80 (+40.5%) and Kia Morning (+40.8%). The new Kia PV5 is up 13 spots on last month to #24 while the Kia Tasman disappoints at #37.

Looking at foreign models, the Tesla Model Y (+290.3%) continues to surge ahead, fuelling most of the foreign carmakers growth. The Mercedes E Class (-2.1%) and BMW 5 Series (-14%) round out the podium as they do year-to-date, with the Mercedes GLE (+121%) and GLC (-2.5%) in tow. The BMW X3 (+124%) and Tesla Model 3 (+110.6%) stun in the remainder of the Top 10, while the BMW 3 Series (+45.6%) is also very strong. Notably, the new BYD Sealion 7 posts a 2nd Top 10 finish in a row but is down 5 ranks on last month to #10.

Previous month: South Korea September 2025: Market up 20.8%, Tesla breaks records, Kia EV5 lands

One year ago: South Korea October 2024: Kia Seltos breaks record, Renault Grand Koleos inside Top 10

Full October 2025 Top 31 All brands, Top 63 All domestic models and Top 50 foreign models below.