South Korea February 2026: Tesla breaks records, Kia PV5 up to #4

The Kia PV5 is up to a record 4th place in South Korea in February.

13/03 update: Now with Top 50 best-selling foreign models.

The South Korean new vehicle market is down a harsh -7.3% year-on-year in February to 122,874 units. Indeed if foreign manufacturers are euphoric at +34.6% to 22.1% share, local carmakers sink -14.8% to 77.9% of the market. Year-to-date, thanks to a strong January sales are up 2% to 243,320 including 195,179 locals (-3.9%) and 48,141 foreigners (+35.9%).

For the 2nd month in a row, Kia (-8.6%) is above sister brand Hyundai (-14.7%) and cements its YTD dominance with 35% share vs. 33.5%. Tesla (+254.1%) is the performer of the month, breaking its records for ranking (#3) and share (6.4%). Genesis (-32.1%) is in complete freefall at #4 and falls to its lowest volume in almost 6 years: since March 2020. BMW (+0.6%) and Mercedes (+14.1%) follow, both defying the negative market while KG Mobility (+38.3%) surges ahead but drops one spot on last month to #7. Audi (+62.7%), Toyota (+27.3%) and Volkswagen (+20.2%) also shine while newcomer BYD is down two ranks on January to #12.

Looking at the domestic models ranking, the Kia Sorento (-15.2%) remains in 2nd place, followed this time by the Hyundai Porter (-10.4%) and Sonata (-3.2%). The surprise of the month is the 4th place of the new Kia PV5, up 23 ranks on last month and now #16 year-to-date vs. #45 over the Full Year 2025. The Hyundai Grandeur (-28.2%) rounds out the Top 5 in paltry fashion. The rare gainers this month are almost all BEVs and include the Hyundai Ioniq 9 (+867.4%), Ioniq 5 (+120.6%) and Kia EV3 (+53.7%).

As for the foreign models, the Tesla Model Y (+243.9%) is above 7,000 units and ranks #2 overall when including domestic nameplates. The Mercedes E Class (+19.2%) drops one spot to #2 as does the BMW 5 Series (+3.1%) a lot more discreet. The Tesla Model 3 (+658.7%) surges from outside the January Top 50 directly into 4th place. The Mercedes GLC (+13.4%) rounds out the Top 5 while the Mercedes GLE (+102.1%) more than doubles its year ago result and halves its January ranking to #6. The BYD Sealion 7 is once again the best-selling new launch and now ranks #6 year-to-date.

Previous month: South Korea January 2026: Kia topples Hyundai to #1, monopolises podium

One year ago: South Korea February 2025: Kia monopolises podium again but Hyundai #1

Full February 2026 Top 31 All brands, Top 55 All local models and Top 50 foreign models below.