South Korea New Vehicle Sales Rise 2.9% in June 2026 as Kia Outpaces Hyundai

South Korea's new vehicle market expanded in June 2026 as domestic sales climbed 2.9% year over year to 120,826 units. While Hyundai Motor remained the country's largest automaker by market share, its domestic sales declined compared with the same month last year. Strong demand for SUVs and electric vehicles from Kia helped lift overall market performance and supported positive industry momentum across the country.

Domestic Sales Performance Across Korean Automakers

Hyundai Motor led the domestic market with sales of 58,232 units, representing a 48.2% market share despite a 6.2% year-over-year decline. Kia followed with 54,508 units and a 45.1% market share, recording an 18.5% increase from the previous year. KGM ranked third after increasing sales by 20.0% to 3,637 units. Renault Korea reported 3,400 units, down 32.2%, while GM Korea sold 1,049 units, reflecting an 18.0% decline.

June 2026 Domestic Sales by Automaker

Export and Overseas Sales Trends

Overseas performance, including exports, showed mixed results across the five manufacturers. Hyundai's overseas sales declined by 5.8%, while Kia posted a 7.6% increase. GM Korea improved 7.3% and KGM achieved the strongest growth at 34.6%. Renault Korea experienced a significant 64.8% decline. Collectively, overseas sales reached 577,021 units, representing a modest 0.5% year-over-year increase.

Global Sales Performance in June 2026

Combined global sales of the five Korean automakers totaled 697,847 units during June, increasing 0.9% from the previous year. Hyundai delivered 338,313 units, down 5.9%, while Kia recorded 294,767 units, up 9.4%. GM Korea increased 6.6% to 48,134 units, KGM rose 29.8% to 11,982 units, and Renault Korea declined 45.7% to 4,651 units, reflecting varied performance across international markets.

First-Half 2026 Global Sales Overview

During January through June 2026, Hyundai's global sales declined 4.9% year over year to 1,966,267 units. Kia increased 2.7% to 1,628,252 units and achieved its highest-ever first-half sales volume. GM Korea improved 10.5% to 275,523 units, while KGM rose 6.5% to 56,759 units. Renault Korea recorded 33,384 units during the period, representing a 29.0% decline from the previous year.

Best-Selling Models in June 2026

The leading passenger vehicle in June was Hyundai's mid-size sedan Grandeur with 10,062 units sold. Kia secured the next two positions with the Sorento mid-size SUV recording 8,561 units and the Seltos subcompact SUV reaching 6,685 units. Strong demand for these models reinforced Kia's domestic sales growth and highlighted continued consumer preference for SUVs in the South Korean market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did South Korea's vehicle market perform in June 2026?
South Korea's new vehicle market recorded year-over-year growth during June 2026, with total domestic sales reaching 120,826 units, up 2.9%. Hyundai remained the largest automaker by market share despite lower domestic sales, while Kia delivered strong growth driven by SUVs and electric vehicles. Combined overseas sales also increased slightly, and the five Korean automakers together achieved global sales of 697,847 units, reflecting a 0.9% annual increase.