South Korea's domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles exceeded 50pc market share for the first time in May, said the country's trade and industry ministry (Motie), while automotive output and exports fell on the year.
Eco-friendly vehicles in South Korea refer to hybrids, battery EVs (BEVs), plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.
Domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles reached around 73,500 units in May, up by 39pc against a year earlier and by 5.6pc on the month, overtaking internal combustion engine vehicle domestic sales. This was driven by exceptionally strong BEV and hybrid EV domestic sales, which hit around 21,400 units and 50,600 units respectively, up by 60pc and 31pc on the year.
The country's total domestic car sales were marginally up by 0.4pc on the year at around 141,900 units.
The country's auto output fell by 3.7pc on the year and 6.9pc on the month to near 359,000 units in May, according to Motie. Exports similarly fell by 3.1pc on the year but were marginally up by 0.2pc on the month at about 247,600 units in May, weighed down by lower automobile exports to the US, which dipped by about 27pc owing to impacts from tariffs. But exports in terms of value to EU countries and Asia rose by 29pc and 45pc on the year to $837mn and $683mn respectively.
Eco-friendly vehicle exports rose by 10pc on the year to around 75,200 units, driven by higher hybrid EV exports. Hybrid EV exports rose by 25pc to around 48,800 units in May, while BEV exports dipped by 12pc to near 21,100 units.
The South Korean government unveiled in April wide-ranging emergency measures to support its automobile industry in the wake of the US' sweeping tariffs.
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