Hamartia Antidote
Elite Member
Tesla’s Model Y SUV has become the first foreign vehicle to top Korea’s monthly passenger car sales, overtaking domestic models in a market long dominated by Hyundai Motor Group.
According to recent data by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, the Model Y sold 8,762 units in May. It secured the top spot ahead of Hyundai and Kia’s bestselling models, including Kia Sorento SUV (7,836 units), Hyundai Grandeur sedan (5,183 units), Kia Sportage SUV (4,760 units) and Kia Carnival (4,543 units).
Notably, Tesla’s monthly sales exceeded the combined total of the two German luxury brands — BMW and Mercedes-Benz — which sold 6,555 and 3,553 vehicles, respectively. Audi followed with 1,509 units, Lexus with 1,291 units and Volvo with 1,058 units. Chinese EV maker BYD ranked seventh with 1,032 vehicles sold in May.
Tesla sold a total of 10,866 vehicles in Korea in May, strengthening its position as the country’s bestselling imported car brand for a fourth consecutive month. The EV maker has maintained strong momentum since becoming the first imported automotive brand to surpass 10,000 monthly sales in March.
