South Korea April 2026: Telsa and BYD break records

The Tesla Model Y sells over 10,000 units in April.

The South Korean new light vehicle market edges up 0.8% year-on-year in April to 151,340 units, however this small gain has everything to do with foreign brands up 58.1% to 33,989 and 22.5% share whereas domestic brands fall -8.8% to 117,351. More precisely, the market is up thanks solely to Tesla up 811.5% to break its records for the third month in a row to 13,190 sales and 8.7% share. Meanwhile Kia (+7.9%) extends its now seemingly unassailable lead over sister brand Hyundai (-15.8%) to almost 8,000 units for the month and just above 16,500 units year-to-date. In 4th place below Tesla, Genesis (-40.3%) is in complete freefall and endures its lowest monthly volume in over 6 years: since March 2020. BYD (+272.6%) crosses the 2,000 monthly sales mark for the first time, reaching an all time high 9th place with 1.3% share.

In the domestic models ranking, the Kia Sorento (+37.3%) surges ahead to break its volume record for the 2nd month running at over 12,000 sales. The Hyundai Grandeur (+8.9%) is far below while the Hyundai Sonata (+22.4%) closes out the podium with a strong YoY gain. The Hyundai Avante (-22.9%), Kia Carnival (-34.2%) and Kia Sportage (-25.8%) follow and all sink. Meanwhile at #7 the Kia Ray (+14.4%) reaches an all time high ranking, also hit in August 2023 and February 2024. The Kia EV3 (+27.5%) also impresses and stays within the Top 10 at #10. The Kia EV5 (#15) is the best-selling recent launch ahead of the Kia PV5 (#21) and Renault Filante (#22).

Looking at foreign models, the Tesla Model Y (+1154.5%!) crosses the 10,000 monthly sales milestone and ranks #2 in the overall models charts including domestic vehicles. The Tesla Model 3 (+306.9%) also surges ahead and repeats at #2, followed by the BMW 5 Series (-7.5%) and Mercedes E Class (-22.2%) both in difficulty. The new BYD Dolphin advances to a record 5th place ahead of the BMW X3 (+53.1%), Polestar 4 (+277.1%) and Mercedes GLE (+23.3%), all sporting fantastic scores. The new BYD Sealion 7 lodges an 8th straight Top 10 finish at #9. 

Previous month: South Korea March 2026: BYD breaks records again, Renault Filante in Top 10

One year ago: South Korea April 2025: New gen pushes Hyundai Palisade to #4, Kia EV4 lands

Full April 2026 Top 30 All brands, Top 58 All domestic models and Top 50 foreign models below.