South Korea’s three midsized carmakers—Renault Korea Motors, KG Mobility Corp. and GM Korea Co.—have seen a sharp dip in domestic sales through to the third quarter of 2025, according to data compiled by auto tracker Carisyou. The group sold just 82,464 cars by the end of September, a figure that suggests total 2025 sales could hover around 100,000 units, the lowest they’ve hit in years.
In 2024 the three firms moved 109,101 vehicles inside South Korea, a stark drop from the 200,000‑plus sales they enjoyed a decade ago. By the end of September the three split as follows:
- Renault Korea Motors – 40,431 units
- KG Mobility – 29,969 units
- GM Korea – 12,064 units
The gap widens when you look at the top foreign brands. In the same period BMW sold 57,840 units, Mercedes‑Benz 48,248, and Tesla 43,637. “It’s concerning that South Korean makers lag behind Tesla in a market that looks only at the Model Y,” one industry insider said.
The trio’s combined market share fell to 7.6 % last year, down from 11.2 % in 2021. Experts blame the slowdown on the late arrival of new models. Renault’s Grand Koleos SUV, launched last year, pushed the marque to the top of the group in the first nine months, while KG Mobility’s recent offers have yet to spark similar momentum.
Imported cars, on the other hand, are on the rise. September saw a 32 % jump in newly registered imports compared with the same month last year, driven by Tesla’s growing popularity and a steady flow of hybrids and electric vehicles. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), 32,834 imported cars were registered last month, up from 24,839 a year earlier. KAIDA credits reliable supply chains, fresh model launches and spirited marketing as the key factors behind the growth.
The data underline a larger trend: domestic sales are tightening while import traffic, especially for electric and hybrid cars, surges. South Korean automakers will need fresh models and aggressive marketing to stay in the game.
Source: ianslive
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