South Korea August 2026: Tesla Model Y distant leader above Kia Sorento, market off -20.8%

The Tesla Model Y is the best-selling vehicle in South Korea for the 2nd straight month.

New light vehicle sales in South Korea sink -20.8% year-on-year in August to 109,556 units. This despite foreign manufacturers up 9.2% to 29,817 whereas local carmakers drop -28.2% to 79,739. The year-to-date tally tilts into negative at -0.6% to 1,093,807 including 849,001 locals (-6.6%) and 244,806 foreigners (+27.3%). Kia (-7.6%) widens the gap with sister brand Hyundai (-39.2%) to a record 10,577 sales. Tesla (+30.4%) remains in third place with a record 9.5% share, eclipsing the previous best of 8.7% reached last April. BMW (-4.3%) follows ahead of Genesis (-51.2%) literally in hell. Below Mercedes (-6.8%), BYD surges 713.6% to threepeat at a record 7th place.

In the local cars ranking, the Kia Sorento (-2.1%) is up three spots on July to reclaim the pole position it holds year-to-date, toppling the Hyundai Grandeur (+15.4%). The Hyundai Porter (-23.9%) rallies back up five ranks to land on the third step of the podium for the first time since last March. The Kia Carnival (-30.6%) and Sportage (-32.7%) close out the Top 5 in paltry fashion. Meanwhile the Kia EV3 (+37%), Hyundai Santa Fe (+8.9%) and Kia Ray (+6.7%) defy the surrounding gloom with solid YoY gains. The new Kia EV5 breaks into its home Top 10 for the first time at #10.

The Tesla Model Y (+44.2%) goes from strength to strength, accounting for one in every three foreign cars sold in South Korea this month. Even better: it ranks #1 overall even including domestic models, as it has already done last month and last May. Its gap wit the #2, the Kia Sorento, is up to 3,241 sales or 51%… The BMW 5 Series (-4.6%) and Mercedes E Class (-16.2%) follow as usual, while the new BYD Dolphin and Sealion 7 (+27200%) both grain one spot on last month, overtaking the Tesla Model 3 (-46.3%). The BYD Sealion 6 posts its maiden Top 50 finish, landing directly at #9.

Previous month: South Korea July 2026: Tesla Model Y outsells Hyundai Grandeur to #1, Kia Seltos up to record #2

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

Full August 2026 Top 30 All brands, Top 55 All domestic models and Top 50 foreigners below.