Chinese EVs win over some in South Korea, but Japan is proving to be a rougher road
Summary
Chinese electric vehicles are gaining traction in South Korea as buyers respond to lower prices and faster availability, but Japan remains a much tougher market. BYD and other Chinese automakers are expanding dealerships and models across both countries, while skepticism, domestic competition and security concerns still weigh on sales in Japan.
Key Points
- BYD has sold more than 20,000 vehicles in South Korea in the first nine months of this year, overtaking the combined sales of Toyota and Lexus there.
- Chinese automakers are winning over some South Korean buyers with cheaper EVs and better availability than local rivals.
- Japan’s market remains far harder to crack because foreign brands have only a small share, hybrids dominate and consumer skepticism is stronger.
- Chinese brands including BYD, Zeekr, Chery and Xpeng are still expanding dealer networks and planning new models in both markets.
