# South Korea: offensive by Chinese electric vehicle brands > In South Korea, registrations of Chinese electric vehicles more than doubled year-on-year, to 112,417 units from January to September, bringing their market share to 43.5%, while that of domestic manufacturers fell below 50% for the first time. Tesla and BYD account for 39.1% of imported vehicle sales over nine months, and Zeekr, Xpeng and Xiaomi are strengthening their presence, with Xpeng preparing its entry with a former Volvo executive. The government has announced a competitiveness plan for electric vehicles, and lawmakers are calling for EVs to be included in the local production tax credit. The sub-events mainly document the South Korean market and the offensive by Chinese brands; the file coverage also includes the United States and China. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 10 events involving BYD, Hyundai, Kia and 7 more, in 2 countries (Corée du Sud, Chine), followed from 1 November 2026 to 3 November 2026. 30 articles from 10 sources (sales and market, regulation and tariffs, launches and reviews and 1 more); last updated on 3 November 2026 at 07:25. Figures reported: 11 vehicles. - Status: ongoing - Scope: International - Category: Sales and market, Regulation and tariffs, Launches and reviews, Electric and batteries - Countries: Corée du Sud, Chine - Brands: BYD, Hyundai, Kia, Xpeng, Tesla, Zeekr, Chery, Hyundai Motor Group, Volvo Cars, Xiaomi Auto - First detected: 1 November 2026 at 10:38 - Updated: 3 November 2026 at 07:25 - Web page: https://mecapress.com/stories/159-south-korea-offensive-by-chinese-electric-vehicle-brands ## National stories (3) - South Korea — 2 country-specific events, 23 articles - United States — 0 country-specific event, 4 articles - China — 0 country-specific event, 3 articles ## What is established _“Confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets (outlets of the same group count as one). AI cross-check of the collected headlines and extracts._ **Confirmed by several sources** - Xpeng has appointed Lee Man-sik, former Volvo Car Korea executive, as managing director of XPENG Motors Korea effective December 1, 2026. (6 independent sources: [cnevpost.com](https://cnevpost.com/2026/11/03/xpeng-plans-south-korea-entry-appoints-former-volvo-exec/), [매일경제](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiU0FVX3lxTFBsZ0g3MzJNOGNRUm0yMTNmZ1ByNWRtemxTTnkyNDR6eFhtLURENHRMdjdoVzRDVnl4Q1h4X21oVl93b1FzWHN6a1JESzhDVXpXaHFz?oc=5), [Chosunbiz](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxOa2htODlWN2JhV1hNaldQN2RnMl9iaFFtNUY1RzFUU0JCckpLT0dLTzBwb21XaWZ1T1VOYVZfTU16WDRLeFFfWGFaQlFVVVp5R0N6WVFLQUJyMGQ0MFd6WGRIeFRnU2lvajNfX2E3RTNBU0RlcVFSVDFOVk5iQ01Ia1JBc2JzZHA3djVMVVZpTWJuVFp3N2fSAZYBQVVfeXFMTmtobTg5VjdiYVdYTWpXUDdkZzJfYmhRbTVGNUcxVFNCQnJKS09HS08wcG9tV2lmdU9VTmFWX01Nelg0S3hRX1hhWkJRVVVaeUdDellRS0FCcjBkNDBXelhkSHhUZ1Npb2ozX19hN0UzQVNEZXFRUlQxTlZOYkNNSGtSQXNic2RwN3Y1TFVWaU1iblRadzdn?oc=5), [The Manila Times](https://news.google.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?oc=5), [The EV Report](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigwFBVV95cUxQdmFxN2wtVGhJNlBQVDFnMXpPbkd2a25UYmR4Zy1xMEhQaE5fbUl3SWtDYTBQNW5NZktsTlJRdHpJT2p0b0dyMlN0XzhndWFWd1pqVWJsZS1GaUdFdFZLTktqTXhoWk94VGg1dTVhbTlDa0lZbXo4d1dnc0pOWkVEQTdVdw?oc=5), [carguy.kr](https://www.carguy.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=62294)) - Lawmakers from the majority and opposition have called for electric vehicles to be included in the national production tax credit. (4 independent sources: [동아일보](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZkFVX3lxTE14NWt4ZzdrMHhlMm9hLTlwTEhmdlZWYjhXRHFBeW9ib3JVVUdpanF0eWdad3VSY0N5WGRHUmhUNzJFcXdDbS1xdTJZVlhwV3pxRWJZdnJMOV9wYW5xelRLQWVxQm1KQdIBZkFVX3lxTE14NWt4ZzdrMHhlMm9hLTlwTEhmdlZWYjhXRHFBeW9ib3JVVUdpanF0eWdad3VSY0N5WGRHUmhUNzJFcXdDbS1xdTJZVlhwV3pxRWJZdnJMOV9wYW5xelRLQWVxQm1KQQ?oc=5), [연합뉴스](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiYEFVX3lxTE4zRGxfU2VlZDY4d3pLbHIyVlZKS3J2S096eWhiLTZDQTdqcFBTeV9zVzV6QUctRUNlbkU0LUEtU2VjY1hsYkZfemlNc3JjV2F4RVJVVHU1LXdxOWh3cG9YUtIBYEFVX3lxTE4zRGxfU2VlZDY4d3pLbHIyVlZKS3J2S096eWhiLTZDQTdqcFBTeV9zVzV6QUctRUNlbkU0LUEtU2VjY1hsYkZfemlNc3JjV2F4RVJVVHU1LXdxOWh3cG9YUg?oc=5), [autoherald.co.kr](http://www.autoherald.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=62078), [이코노미스트](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiYkFVX3lxTE1nNnVnVGNHVnpwSGlkdzVzRXdfTzQ1aU5Id3daMWd0QlpTVkdyX25tQTAzWi15M254d3JodU9EdEhJNTZkVnpmTFJOQ3JLUjdDTXJpT3lkakROeHZvLUJmS2hn?oc=5)) - Chinese brands BYD, Zeekr and Xpeng are accelerating their establishment in South Korea. (3 independent sources: [autodaily.co.kr](https://www.autodaily.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=601678), [파이낸셜뉴스](https://www.fnnews.com/news/202611031054083625), [autoherald.co.kr](http://www.autoherald.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=62081)) - The share of domestic electric vehicles has fallen below the majority threshold. (2 independent sources: [연합뉴스](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiYEFVX3lxTE4zRGxfU2VlZDY4d3pLbHIyVlZKS3J2S096eWhiLTZDQTdqcFBTeV9zVzV6QUctRUNlbkU0LUEtU2VjY1hsYkZfemlNc3JjV2F4RVJVVHU1LXdxOWh3cG9YUtIBYEFVX3lxTE4zRGxfU2VlZDY4d3pLbHIyVlZKS3J2S096eWhiLTZDQTdqcFBTeV9zVzV6QUctRUNlbkU0LUEtU2VjY1hsYkZfemlNc3JjV2F4RVJVVHU1LXdxOWh3cG9YUg?oc=5), [한국경제](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiWkFVX3lxTE9Cb3F1eGlhR1ZuVzVObWduNjFtdE5icHhzRkNhbVZUd3h0MWM5SV9Tc0hpVExwVEVYR0xoaXhtVzZRVmROUUNfRng0MWo3ajdrZ3Eta0FoTmpYUQ?oc=5)) **Single source so far** - Tesla and BYD accounted for 39.1% of imported vehicle sales over the first nine months of the year. (according to [autodaily.co.kr](https://www.autodaily.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=601678)) - BYD sales increased by 578% in one year. (according to [autodaily.co.kr](https://www.autodaily.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=601678)) - The market share of Chinese electric vehicles in South Korea is 43.5%. (according to [autoherald.co.kr](http://www.autoherald.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=62078)) - The tax reform plan announced by the government in August excluded electric vehicles from support. (according to [autoherald.co.kr](http://www.autoherald.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=62078)) - Tesla, imported from its Shanghai plant, is first among imported vehicles in South Korea. (according to [autodaily.co.kr](https://www.autodaily.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=601678)) - Four out of ten imported vehicles sold in South Korea are produced in China. (according to [autodaily.co.kr](https://www.autodaily.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=601678)) **Checked on the web** _Automatic web search, official sources first; “contradicted” only when an official source is cited._ - Not confirmed at this stage: Xpeng has appointed Lee Man-sik, former Volvo Car Korea executive, as managing director of XPENG Motors Korea effective December 1, 2026. ([en.sedaily.com](https://en.sedaily.com/finance/2026/11/01/chinese-evs-push-korean-automakers-below-70-percent-home), [koreatimes.co.kr](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20260630/chinese-ev-makers-gain-traction-in-koreas-import-car-market-despite-uphill-battle), [mobile.chinadaily.com.cn](https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/html5/2026-08/06/content_013_6a739445ed50be540e7357eb.htm), [chinadaily.com.cn](https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202608/06/WS6a73c78ba310986e2b4692c0.html), [koreatimes.co.kr](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/business/companies/20260805/koreas-china-dilemma-deepens-as-chinese-carmakers-expand-strategic-influence)) - Not confirmed at this stage: Lawmakers from the majority and opposition have called for electric vehicles to be included in the national production tax credit. ([en.sedaily.com](https://en.sedaily.com/finance/2026/11/01/chinese-evs-push-korean-automakers-below-70-percent-home), [mobile.chinadaily.com.cn](https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/html5/2026-08/06/content_013_6a739445ed50be540e7357eb.htm), [koreatimes.co.kr](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/business/companies/20260805/koreas-china-dilemma-deepens-as-chinese-carmakers-expand-strategic-influence), [koreatimes.co.kr](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20260630/chinese-ev-makers-gain-traction-in-koreas-import-car-market-despite-uphill-battle), [mk.co.kr](https://www.mk.co.kr/en/business/12160709)) - Not confirmed at this stage: Tesla and BYD accounted for 39.1% of imported vehicle sales over the first nine months of the year. ([en.sedaily.com](https://en.sedaily.com/finance/2026/11/01/chinese-evs-push-korean-automakers-below-70-percent-home), [mobile.chinadaily.com.cn](https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/html5/2026-08/06/content_013_6a739445ed50be540e7357eb.htm), [koreatimes.co.kr](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/business/companies/20260805/koreas-china-dilemma-deepens-as-chinese-carmakers-expand-strategic-influence), [global.chinadaily.com.cn](http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202608/06/WS6a73c78ba310986e2b4692c0.html), [pulse.mk.co.kr](https://pulse.mk.co.kr/news/all/12114885)) ## Background _Context and reference points, separate from the story’s news; every item links to its source._ **Key terms** - **Electric vehicle**: An electric vehicle is a means of transport whose propulsion is provided exclusively by one or more electric motors. It can draw its energy from onboard resources such as an electric battery, or be connected to an external source, for example via a catenary. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A9hicule_%C3%A9lectrique)) - **Tax credit**: A tax credit is a tax reduction that can result in a refund. It is an amount subtracted from the tax that a company or an individual must pay, and it can be granted to encourage investments or other virtuous behaviors. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cr%C3%A9dit_d%27imp%C3%B4t)) - **Market share**: The market share of a product, service, or company in a given market is the percentage of its sales in that market relative to total sales of that product made by its competitors and itself. The market for a given product is the volume or total value of similar products sold by all competitors during a given period and in a given geographic area. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Part_de_march%C3%A9)) ## Sources by country and language - South Korea: 23 articles, 17 outlets - United States: 4 articles, 3 outlets - China: 3 articles, 2 outlets **Languages**: Korean (20), English (10) ## Timeline (10 events) ### 1 November 2026 — [South Korea: domestic brand market share threatened to drop below 70%](https://mecapress.com/events/1423-south-korea-domestic-brand-market-share-threatened-to-drop-below-70.md) South Korean press notes that the SUV offering around 20 million won is diversifying and that the market share of domestic manufacturers, close to 70%, is now under threat. 1 sources, 3 articles · Corée du Sud, Chine ### 2 November 2026 — [Chinese brands gain ground in South Korea's imported car market](https://mecapress.com/events/1870-chinese-brands-gain-ground-in-south-korea-s-imported-car-market.md) In South Korea, Tesla and BYD accounted for 39.1% of imported vehicle sales over nine months, while Chinese brands such as Zeekr, Xpeng, and Xiaomi are gaining strength, including through the recruitment of executives from European brands. 1 sources, 1 articles · Corée du Sud, Chine ### 2 November 2026 — [South Korea to announce its electric vehicle competitiveness plan this month](https://mecapress.com/events/2313-south-korea-to-announce-its-electric-vehicle-competitiveness-plan-this-month.md) Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hyeongil met with Euisun Chung, president of Hyundai Motor Group, and announced the presentation this month of a competitiveness plan for electric vehicles. 2 sources, 2 articles · Séoul — Corée du Sud ### 3 November 2026 — [Essai du BYD Sealion 6 DM-i en Corée du Sud](https://mecapress.com/events/2794-essai-du-byd-sealion-6-dm-i-en-coree-du-sud.md) La presse sud-coréenne salue le silence de fonctionnement et l'autonomie du SUV hybride rechargeable BYD Sealion 6 DM-i. 1 sources, 2 articles · Corée du Sud ### 3 November 2026 — [South Korea: parties call for a tax credit for locally produced EVs](https://mecapress.com/events/2790-south-korea-parties-call-for-a-tax-credit-for-locally-produced-evs.md) As Chinese electric vehicles reach a 43.5% share of the South Korean market, lawmakers from both sides are asking to include EVs in the domestic production tax credit, which is being examined this month. 2 sources, 6 articles · Séoul — Corée du Sud, Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [Corée du Sud : la part des marques nationales passe pour la première fois sous les 50 %](https://mecapress.com/events/2823-coree-du-sud-la-part-des-marques-nationales-passe-pour-la-premiere-fois-sous.md) La pression des véhicules électriques chinois fait chuter la part de marché des constructeurs nationaux sud-coréens sous la barre des 50 % pour la première fois. 1 sources, 1 articles · Corée du Sud, Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [Xpeng prépare son entrée en Corée du Sud et nomme un ancien de Volvo à la tête de la filiale](https://mecapress.com/events/2820-xpeng-prepare-son-entree-en-coree-du-sud-et-nomme-un-ancien-de-volvo-a-la-tete.md) Xpeng annonce son projet d'entrée sur le marché sud-coréen et la nomination d'un ancien dirigeant de Volvo pour piloter l'activité locale. 4 sources, 10 articles · Corée du Sud — Corée du Sud, Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [BYD, Zeekr et Xpeng accélèrent leur implantation en Corée du Sud](https://mecapress.com/events/2816-byd-zeekr-et-xpeng-accelerent-leur-implantation-en-coree-du-sud.md) Après BYD, Zeekr et Xpeng construisent progressivement leurs bases commerciales en Corée du Sud, accentuant la concurrence sur le marché local des véhicules électriques. 3 sources, 3 articles · Corée du Sud — Corée du Sud, Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [Corée du Sud : les VE chinois représentent 43,5 % des immatriculations de janvier à septembre](https://mecapress.com/events/2924-coree-du-sud-les-ve-chinois-representent-43-5-des-immatriculations-de-janvier-a.md) Les immatriculations de voitures électriques chinoises en Corée du Sud ont plus que doublé sur un an, à 112 417 unités, portant leur part de marché à 43,5 % contre 48,7 % pour les modèles locaux. Une chronique critique l'absence de réponse industrielle du gouvernement. 1 sources, 1 articles · Corée du Sud, Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [En Corée du Sud, l'offensive des voitures chinoises devient une réalité pour les constructeurs locaux](https://mecapress.com/events/2991-en-coree-du-sud-l-offensive-des-voitures-chinoises-devient-une-realite-pour-les.md) Une chronique du Maeil Business analyse la progression des marques chinoises en Corée du Sud, où les acheteurs se détachent des préjugés, et s'interroge sur les moyens d'éviter une crise pour l'industrie nationale. 1 sources, 1 articles · Corée du Sud, Chine --- Cite as: Mecapress, “South Korea: offensive by Chinese electric vehicle brands”, https://mecapress.com/stories/159-south-korea-offensive-by-chinese-electric-vehicle-brands Methodology: https://mecapress.com/methodology