Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
BYD ranks fourth among imported car brands in South Korea
BYD is rapidly expanding in South Korea, where it has been selling cars since last year.
It recorded 20,137 new registrations in January-September and ranked fourth among imported brands in September, behind Tesla, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Its Dolphin hatchback and Sealion 7 SUV each sold more than 7,000 units, helped by competitive prices and growing consumer interest.
Other Chinese brands are also entering or preparing to enter South Korea, including Zeekr, Xpeng and Chery.
In contrast, Hyundai and Kia's combined share of China's market was 0.6% in September, as their sales fell faster than the overall market.
Chinese carmakers are expanding overseas amid tougher competition and weaker demand at home, while improvements in technology and quality are helping them attract buyers.
Hyundai plans to launch 20 new models in China over five years and aims to raise annual sales to 500,000, but faces strong competition from local brands.
BYD ranked fourth among imported car brands in South Korea in September, behind Tesla, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The company recorded 20,137 new vehicle registrations in South Korea from January to September.
BYD’s Dolphin hatchback and Sealion 7 SUV each sold more than 7,000 units during that period.
Chinese-brand passenger car registrations in South Korea reached 20,186, giving China a 7.22% share of new imported car registrations.
Meanwhile, Hyundai and Kia together sold about 9,000 vehicles in China in September, with a combined market share of 0.6%.
- Who
- BYD, a Chinese car brand, ranked fourth among imported car brands in South Korea.
- What
- It recorded 20,137 new registrations from January to September.
- When
- It ranked fourth in September; the article was published on October 30, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The article links BYD’s growth to its competitive prices and improved products and technology.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
BYD entered the South Korean market.
BYD recorded 20,137 new vehicle registrations in South Korea.
BYD ranked fourth among imported car brands in South Korea.
Zeekr introduced its 7X electric SUV to South Korean consumers.
- BYD registrations
- 20,137, January–September
- September rank
- Fourth among imported car brands in South Korea
- Top three brands ahead of BYD
- Tesla, BMW and Mercedes-Benz
- Chinese-brand registrations
- 20,186, January–September
- China share of imported registrations
- 7.22%
- Hyundai and Kia share in China
- 0.6% combined in September
What people are saying
BYD is selling well, so I was curious, but seeing it in person, it looks good
Although there may be prejudice because it is a Chinese brand, I feel consumers' perceptions have become much more positive than a year ago
In the past, people thought Chinese-made products were inferior, but recently they have far surpassed us in electric vehicles, and also in autonomous vehicles
Hyundai and Kia may have done their best, but it is not working