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Story no.159InternationalOngoingSales and market +4Notable Several countries (2)1 Nov → 3 Nov14 facts · 42 art.

South Korea: local brands' share falls below 50% against Chinese EVs

In South Korea, registrations of Chinese electric vehicles have 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 has fallen below 50% for the first time. This progression is accompanied by the establishment of BYD, Zeekr and Xpeng, and Tesla and BYD account for 39.1% of imported vehicle sales over nine months. The government is preparing a competitiveness plan for electric vehicles, while lawmakers are calling for a tax credit for locally produced EVs, presented as a lever for domestic battery manufacturers. The sub-events mainly concern South Korea and competition from Chinese brands, with the issue also covered by American and Chinese press.

In brief

Ongoing story bringing together 14 events involving BYD, Hyundai, Kia and 9 more, in 2 countries (Corée du Sud, Chine), followed from 1 November 2026 to 3 November 2026. 42 articles from 11 sources (sales and market, regulation and tariffs, launches and reviews and 2 more); last updated on 3 November 2026 at 16:00. Figures reported: 11 vehicles, 410 jobs.

National stories

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01

What is established

Method

Confirmed(5)

Single source so far(5)

  • From January to September, 112,417 Chinese electric vehicles were registered in South Korea, against 51,535 a year earlier. (according to autoherald.co.kr)
  • Tesla and BYD accounted for 39.1% of imported vehicle sales in South Korea over nine months. (according to autodaily.co.kr)
  • Four out of ten imported vehicles sold in South Korea are made in China. (according to autodaily.co.kr)
  • BYD sales have increased by 578% year-on-year in South Korea. (according to autodaily.co.kr)

Updates(5)

  1. 3 Nov, 13h24Xpeng confirms its plan to enter the South Korean market.
  2. 3 Nov, 13h24New figure: up to 410,000 jobs threatened according to a South Korean media outlet.
  3. 3 Nov, 09h50The Deputy Prime Minister announces a competitiveness plan for electric vehicles this month.
  4. 3 Nov, 09h50Share of domestic electric vehicles specified at 48.7%.
  5. 3 Nov, 09h50Precise figure: 112,417 Chinese electric vehicles registered from January to September, against 51,535 a year earlier.

AI cross-check of the headlines and extracts of 38 articles (29 outlets) · “confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets, or by the manufacturer’s official press room · 3 Nov, 13h24

Checked on the web(3)

Automatic web search, official sources first · “contradicted” only when an official source is cited

02

Background

Method

Context and reference points, separate from the story's news. Every item links to its source; updated on 3 Nov

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 an overhead line. Wikipedia
Tax credit
A tax credit is a tax reduction that may 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. Wikipedia
Market share
The market share of a product, a service, or a company in a given market is the percentage of its sales in that market relative to the 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 geographical area. Wikipedia
03

Timeline

newest first

Dot = severity

  1. 16h00

    LatestCorée du Sud : un éditorial s'inquiète de la montée des VE chinois

    Un éditorial sud-coréen alerte sur la progression rapide de la part des véhicules électriques chinois, qui menace la base industrielle des constructeurs nationaux.

    아시아투데이

  2. 09h42

    Les VE chinois menacent 410 000 emplois en Corée du Sud

    Selon un média sud-coréen, la pression des véhicules électriques chinois pourrait menacer jusqu'à 410 000 emplois dans l'industrie automobile coréenne.

    매일경제

  3. 08h57

    Corée du Sud : le gouvernement infléchit sa politique face aux VE chinois

    Face à l'offensive des véhicules électriques chinois, Séoul revoit sa politique et le secteur réclame des mesures de soutien supplémentaires.

    한겨레

  4. 07h56

    South KoreaCorée du Sud : le crédit d'impôt à la production de VE attendu bénéfique aux batteries

    Le crédit d'impôt sur la production de véhicules électriques en Corée du Sud est présenté comme un levier pour les fabricants nationaux de batteries.

    동행미디어 시대

  5. 07h25

    En Corée du Sud, l'offensive des voitures chinoises devient une réalité pour les constructeurs locaux

    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.

    매일경제

  6. 06h37

    Corée du Sud : les VE chinois représentent 43,5 % des immatriculations de janvier à septembre

    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.

    autoherald.co.kr

  7. 03h34

    BYD, Zeekr et Xpeng accélèrent leur implantation en Corée du Sud

    Après BYD, Zeekr et Xpeng construisent progressivement leurs bases commerciales en Corée du Sud, accentuant la concurrence sur le marché local des véhicules électriques.

    파이낸셜뉴스autoherald.co.kr매일신문+1 outlet

  8. 03h20

    Xpeng prépare son entrée en Corée du Sud et nomme un ancien de Volvo à la tête de la filiale

    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.

    cnevpost.com매일경제Chosunbiz+10 outlets

  9. 03h14

    Corée du Sud : la part des marques nationales passe pour la première fois sous les 50 %

    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.

    한국경제

  10. 02h34

    South Korea: parties call for a tax credit for locally produced EVs

    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.

    동아일보연합뉴스autoherald.co.kr+4 outlets

  11. 02h18

    South KoreaEssai du BYD Sealion 6 DM-i en Corée du Sud

    La presse sud-coréenne salue le silence de fonctionnement et l'autonomie du SUV hybride rechargeable BYD Sealion 6 DM-i.

    The Korea Times

04

In figures

The activity

14 facts

Latest activity 52 minutes ago

1211
1 Nov3 Nov

Countries concerned

Several countries (2)

Brands concerned

Official figures

  • BYD · 49,953 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 2 recall(s) in 12 months
  • Hyundai · 39,821 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 71 recall(s) in 12 months
  • Kia · 56,437 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 44 recall(s) in 12 months
  • Xpeng · 1,250 reg. (Germany, Sept 26)

Key figures

11
véhicules
410
jobs

Highest number recorded in 2 article(s), automatically extracted: please check sources.

05

Sources by country and language

Press country

ArticlesOutlets
South Korea3023
United States76
China54

Languages

ArticlesOutlets
Korean2721
English1310
Chinese22

Country of the outlet (not of the topic), inferred from its address and language. Each outlet counts once per row.

06

Further reading

Events in the story