Tesla tops BMW as No. 1 imported car brand in South Korea

SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Tesla has overtaken BMW to become the best-selling imported car brand in South Korea, industry data showed on Wednesday.

The Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) said new registrations of imported passenger vehicles rose 23.4 percent in November from a year earlier to 29,357 units. Cumulative registrations from January to November climbed 16.3 percent to 278,769 units.

Tesla led the monthly tally with 7,632 units, outpacing BMW with 6,526 units and Mercedes-Benz with 6,139. Volvo followed with 1,459 units, China’s BYD with 1,164, and Lexus with 1,039.

European marques continued to dominate the market with 17,996 units, equivalent to 61.3 percent, while American brands accounted for 8,139 units (27.7 percent).

Hybrid models remained the most popular fuel type with 15,064 units, or 51.3 percent, followed by electric vehicles.

Tesla’s Model Y was the top-selling imported vehicle in November with 4,604 units, ahead of the Mercedes-Benz E 200 and the Tesla Model Y Long Range.

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.

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