The Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (KAIDA) reported that new registrations for imported passenger cars in January 2025 totaled 15,229 units. This reflects a 35.3% decrease from the previous month but a 16.4% increase compared to last year.
By brand, BMW led with 5,960 units, Mercedes-Benz with 3,790, Lexus with 1,126, and Volvo with 1,033. Porsche registered 644 units, Toyota 430, and Ford 366. Other notable figures included Land Rover with 325 units, Audi with 320, and Mini with 234. Honda, Chevrolet, and Lincoln each surpassed 100 units, while luxury brands such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Rolls-Royce also made the list.
By engine displacement, vehicles under 2,000cc accounted for 8,325 units (54.7%), while those between 2,000cc and 3,000cc totaled 5,218 units (34.3%). Larger engines and electric vehicles made up the remainder. European models continued to dominate the market with 12,697 units (83.4%), followed by Japanese imports at 1,733 units (11.4%) and American imports at 799 units (5.2%).
By fuel type, hybrid vehicles were the most popular, totaling 11,551 units (75.8%), followed by gasoline-powered cars at 2,834 units (18.6%), electric vehicles at 635 units (4.2%), and diesel cars at 209 units (1.4%).
Individual purchases outpaced corporate acquisitions, with 8,971 units (58.9%) versus 6,258 units (41.1%). Gyeonggi Province led with 2,624 units (29.2%), followed by Seoul with 1,849 units (20.6%) and Busan with 568 units (6.3%). Corporate purchases were highest in Busan, with 2,139 units (34.2%), followed by Incheon, with 1,654 units (26.4%), and South Gyeongsang Province, with 1,036 units (16.6%).
The best-selling models in January were the BMW 520 with 1,051 units, the Lexus ES300h with 632 units, and the Mercedes-Benz E 200 with 604 units.
KAIDA Vice President Jeong Yoon Young said that despite fewer business days due to the Lunar New Year holiday, some brands’ strategic inventory management and aggressive promotions led to increased registrations compared to last January.
