Porsche to Expand EV Push in South Korea With Cayenne Electric, Korean Battery Cells

by Oh Jooseok Posted : March 19, 2026, 18:45Updated : March 19, 2026, 18:45
Photo by Oh Joo-seok
The Cayenne Electric is unveiled at Porsche Korea’s 2026 New Year media briefing in Seoul’s Gwangjin District on the 19th. (Photo by Oh Joo-seok)
Porsche, the sports-car maker, is strengthening its electrified lineup in South Korea, led by the Cayenne Electric, which is set for an official local launch in the second half of this year. The company also plans to increase EV investment in the market. Starting this year, Porsche’s all-electric models sold in South Korea will use Korean battery cells, a move aimed at reinforcing its lead in the premium EV segment priced above 100 million won.

Matthias Busse, CEO of Porsche Korea, announced the plan on the 19th at a 2026 New Year media briefing in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, calling South Korea “a market where the shift to electrification is moving quickly.”

Porsche Korea delivered 10,746 vehicles last year, up 30% from a year earlier, topping 10,000 units for the second time since its establishment despite what it described as a difficult external environment.

Electrified models drove the gains. Last year’s sales mix was 38% internal-combustion vehicles, 34% all-electric vehicles and 28% plug-in hybrids. Electrified models accounted for 62%, or 6,630 vehicles. That contrasts with Porsche’s global sales structure, which the company said is centered on internal-combustion models at 66%.
Christiane Zorn, head of Overseas and Emerging Markets at Porsche AG, explains the Korea investment plan. Photo by Oh Joo-seok
Christiane Zorn, head of overseas and emerging markets at Porsche AG, outlines the company’s Korea investment plan. (Photo by Oh Joo-seok)
Porsche said it will broaden its electrification push in South Korea. Christiane Zorn, head of overseas and emerging markets at Porsche AG, presented the company’s cooperation strategy for the Korean EV market and said the Cayenne Electric, due in the second half, will use battery cells from LG Energy Solution.

Porsche previously used battery packs from LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI in the Taycan and Macan Electric, respectively. The Macan used batteries from China’s CATL through 2024, but switched to Samsung SDI batteries starting this year.

“Electrification is not simply a change in powertrain; it is a process of combining new technology with our high-performance DNA,” Zorn said. She added that Porsche plans to apply Korean battery cells to major models sold in South Korea starting this year.

Porsche’s overseas and emerging markets region consists of eight countries, including South Korea. South Korea’s share rose to 19% in 2025 from 14% in 2018, the company said. Last year, South Korea became Porsche’s fifth-largest market globally, ranking second in Taycan sales, third in Panamera sales and fourth in Cayenne sales. It also ranked sixth worldwide in all-electric vehicle sales.
 
Photo by Oh Joo-seok
The driver’s seat of the Cayenne Electric. (Photo by Oh Joo-seok)
The Cayenne Electric made its first appearance in South Korea at the event. Porsche said it will launch the new 911 Turbo S and the Macan GTS in the first half of this year. In the second half, it plans to introduce the Panamera Red Exclusive and the Cayenne Electric.

The Cayenne Electric is a battery-electric vehicle developed from the heritage of Porsche’s Cayenne sport utility vehicle line. It uses a Formula E-based regenerative braking system to boost performance.

The Cayenne Turbo Electric produces 1,156 horsepower and 153.0 kg·m of maximum torque under launch control. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of 260 kph. It supports charging up to 400 kW. Porsche said it also considered long-distance driving and off-road capability.

The exterior keeps the existing design identity while adding more forward-looking elements. Inside, Porsche applied its “Porsche Driver Experience,” featuring what it called the widest flow display in the brand’s history to strengthen an intuitive interface and personalization features.

Personalization options include 13 exterior colors, nine wheel designs and 12 interior combinations, along with up to five interior packages and accent packages.
Panamera Red Exclusive. Photo by Oh Joo-seok
The Panamera Red Exclusive. (Photo by Oh Joo-seok)
Porsche also unveiled the Panamera Red Exclusive in South Korea. The model is limited to 100 units for the Korean market.

Based on the Panamera 4, it includes a sport design package, 21-inch wheels and exclusive taillights. Porsche paired Guard Red and Bordeaux Red to emphasize a sporty look and added red lettering on the exterior for differentiation.

Busse said Porsche will pursue “value-focused growth” this year based on its electrification leadership, and will make qualitative growth a core goal by expanding its electrified lineup, strengthening brand experiences and expanding its network.



* This article has been translated by AI.