South Korea July 2026 New Vehicle Sales: Kia Overtakes Hyundai Again

Domestic vehicle demand in South Korea softened during July as five Korean automakers collectively sold 107,797 new vehicles, representing a 2.8% year-over-year decline. Despite the weaker overall market, Kia Corp strengthened its position at the top of the domestic rankings, supported by robust demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The latest performance marked the second time in 2026 that Kia surpassed Hyundai Motor Co in monthly domestic sales after first leading the market in April.

Domestic Market Performance in July 2026

Kia recorded domestic sales of 54,604 vehicles, capturing a 50.7% market share and posting a 21.3% year-over-year increase. Hyundai remained second with 48,113 units sold, accounting for a 44.6% share after sales declined 14.4%. KG Mobility ranked third with 2,610 units, down 41.4%, while Renault Korea sold 1,704 vehicles, declining 57.4%. GM Korea completed the rankings with 766 units, down 37.5%, as competitive market conditions continued to weigh on several manufacturers.

Domestic Sales of Korean Automakers in July 2026

Overseas and Global Sales Performance

Sales outside the domestic market delivered a more positive picture. Hyundai's overseas sales declined 3.2%, whereas Kia expanded exports and overseas deliveries by 11.6%. GM Korea reported a 33.3% increase, KGM posted a 15.0% gain, while Renault Korea experienced a sharp 59.2% decline. Together, the five automakers generated overseas sales of 561,517 vehicles, reflecting a 4.8% year-over-year improvement that helped offset weaker domestic demand.

Global sales results remained mixed across manufacturers. Hyundai delivered 318,454 vehicles worldwide, down 5.1% from a year earlier. Kia increased global deliveries by 13.3% to 297,160 units, while GM Korea rose 30.6% to 42,119 units. KGM recorded 8,551 units after an 11.1% decline, and Renault Korea sold 3,030 units, down 58.2%. Collectively, the five Korean automakers achieved global sales of 669,314 vehicles in July, representing a 3.5% year-over-year increase.

January–July 2026 Global Sales Summary

During the first seven months of 2026, Hyundai delivered 2,286,554 vehicles globally, representing a 4.8% decline compared with the same period last year. Kia increased cumulative global sales by 4.2% to 1,925,804 units. GM Korea expanded deliveries by 12.8% to 317,642 units, while KGM improved 3.8% to 65,310 units. Renault Korea remained under pressure with global sales falling 32.9% to 36,414 units over the January through July period.

Top-Selling Vehicle Models in July

The monthly model rankings were led by Hyundai's Grandeur midsize sedan with 8,532 units sold. Kia secured the next two positions as the Seltos subcompact SUV reached 7,427 units and the Carnival MPV followed closely with 6,917 units. Strong demand for these high-volume models, together with expanding electrified vehicle sales, continued to strengthen Kia's domestic market position despite an overall contraction in South Korea's new vehicle market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Kia lead South Korea's vehicle market in July 2026?
Kia became the leading automaker in South Korea during July 2026 by selling 54,604 vehicles and securing a 50.7% domestic market share. The company benefited from strong consumer demand for battery electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, enabling it to outperform Hyundai for the second time in 2026 despite the country's overall new vehicle market declining compared with the previous year.

How did Korean automakers perform globally in July 2026?
The five Korean automakers collectively recorded global sales of 669,314 vehicles during July 2026, representing a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Kia and GM Korea reported notable growth, while Hyundai, KGM and Renault Korea experienced declines. Combined overseas sales also increased 4.8%, demonstrating that export markets remained an important contributor to overall sales performance despite weaker domestic demand.