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As of fist half of 2025, around **** million passenger cars were exported from South Korea, showing a modest increase compared to the previous year. The South Korean automotive industry has long been a key indicator of the country's economic growth, experiencing rapid expansion over the decades. As an export-driven manufacturing economy, a significant portion of the cars produced domestically were intended for overseas markets. However, exports have been on the decline in recent years.

South Korea's export share and automobile exports

Recently, the share of South Korea's total exports in the economy had been gradually recovering, while automobile exports were also steadily rising. In particular, the export volume of vehicles, including passenger and commercial cars, had been on the rise in recent years. This increase in vehicle exports positively impacted the country’s overall export growth.  

A growing preference for imported cars

The share of imported cars steadily increased in recent years. Nevertheless, domestic brands still made up the majority of registered vehicles in South Korea. Among foreign automakers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz held the largest market share. This showed a growing preference for foreign car brands among South Korean consumers.