A chart shows South Korea’s automobile production, domestic sales and exports in June 2026. Data from Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Graphic by Asia Today and translated by UPI
July 15 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s automobile exports reached a record for June as strong shipments of hybrid and electric vehicles offset pressure from U.S. tariffs and uncertainty in the global auto market.
The value of automobile exports rose 5.8% from a year earlier to $6.71 billion in June, the highest amount recorded for the month, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said Wednesday.
The figure was also up 15% from May.
Export volume increased 9.8% from a year earlier to 268,169 vehicles. Domestic sales rose 9.5% to 159,725 vehicles, while production increased 11.6% to 394,210 vehicles.
Compared with May, production increased 19.6%, domestic sales rose 25.5% and export volume climbed 16.5%.
The ministry attributed the gains partly to a recovery in domestic demand and the restoration of alternative supplies for components that had disrupted vehicle production.
North America and the European Union led the export growth.
Exports to North America rose 12.3% from a year earlier to $3.61 billion. Exports to the United States increased 10.8% to $2.98 billion despite continued trade pressure.
Exports to the European Union climbed 13.7% to $869 million.
Eco-friendly vehicles accounted for much of the increase. Shipments rose 35.4% to 102,554 vehicles, exceeding 100,000 in a single month for the first time.
The export value of eco-friendly vehicles increased 31.3% to $2.9 billion, accounting for about 43% of South Korea’s total automobile exports in June.
Hybrid vehicle exports surged 48.7% to 72,878 units, while electric vehicle shipments rose 24.4% to 27,823.
Exports of plug-in hybrid vehicles, however, fell 57.6% to 1,850 units. South Korea exported three hydrogen-powered vehicles, down 72.7% from a year earlier.
By value, hybrid exports climbed 38.6% to $1.97 billion. Combined exports of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles increased 18.1% to $940 million.
The figures indicate that hybrids are helping South Korean automakers maintain export growth as the pace of electric vehicle adoption varies among international markets.
The strong June performance did not fully reverse weakness during the first half of the year.
South Korea produced 2.11 million vehicles from January through June, virtually unchanged from the same period last year.
Domestic sales rose 2.5% to 847,630 vehicles, while export volume increased 2.1% to 1.44 million.
The value of automobile exports during the six-month period declined 1.1% to $35.95 billion.
Eco-friendly vehicle exports increased 23.9% to $15.35 billion, but the gain was not enough to offset factors including a decline in used-car exports.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260715010005733
