South Korea's battery electric vehicle (BEV) domestic sales hit an all-time-high in September, boosting overall domestic car sales to about 158,000 units, the highest since 2015.
BEV sales came in at near 28,800 units in September, more than double compared with a year earlier, according to the country's trade and industry ministry (Motie) on 20 October. Hybrid sales maintained steady growth, up by 14pc on the year and 19pc on the month to near 52,000 units, maintaining a lead over BEV in numbers.
The country's eco-friendly vehicle domestic sales in September rose significantly by 40pc on the year and 18pc on the month to about 83,200 units, driven by strong BEV growth. Eco-friendly vehicles in South Korea refer to hybrids, battery EVs, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.
South Korea's sales of eco-friendly vehicles have been on an uptrend since July, accounting for the majority of domestic car sales during the month. Cumulative domestic BEV sales reached 170,000 units in January-September, up by 58pc against the same period a year earlier, and has surpassed the whole-year figure in 2024, said Motie.
Eco-friendly vehicle exports also rose significantly by 48pc on the year and 30pc on the month to around 90,500 units in September, marking the ninth consecutive month of growth.
South Korea's car production, exports and domestic sales rose for the third consecutive month in September, owing to more operating days given that the Chuseok holiday falls in October this year.
South Korean car production during the month ticked up by 8.9pc compared with the same period a year earlier and 4.2pc against a month earlier to around 334,000 units. Domestic sales rose by 21pc on the year and 14pc on the month to near 158,000 units.
Exports were up by 11pc on the year and 14pc on the month to around 228,000 units. South Korea's automobile exports value hit an all-time high of around $6.4bn in the month, said Motie.
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