Vehicles await cargo abroad at a port in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Yonhap
Korea’s exports of cars reached an all-time excessive of $72 billion final yr because of the robust abroad demand for eco-friendly autos and used vehicles, authorities information confirmed Thursday.
The determine marked a 1.7 p.c enhance from $70.8 billion in exports in 2024, and a 1.55 p.c rise from the earlier excessive of $70.9 billion tallied in 2023, in line with the Ministry of Commerce, Business and Sources.
It additionally marked the third consecutive yr of the nation’s annual automotive exports surpassing the $70 billion threshold.
The ministry stated the home car business confronted unfavorable export situations final yr, notably with U.S. tariff measures, nevertheless it made the achievement because of stronger demand for Korean-made eco-friendly vehicles and used autos.
Final yr, exports of eco-friendly autos, together with electrical, hydrogen and hybrid vehicles, grew 11 p.c on-year to $25.8 billion.
Particularly, outbound shipments of hybrid vehicles surged 30 p.c to a document $14.8 billion.
Exports of used vehicles spiked 75.1 p.c to an all-time excessive of $8.87 billion because of the model recognition of Korean vehicles and the weak spot of the native foreign money, the ministry stated.
Home manufacturing of cars got here to 4.1 million items in 2025, topping 4 million items for the third consecutive yr.
Home automotive gross sales elevated 3.3 p.c on-year to 1.68 million items, comprising 1.36 million Korean model vehicles and 320,000 imported vehicles.
Gross sales of eco-friendly vehicles right here superior 25 p.c to 813,000 items, accounting for practically half of the whole home gross sales.
The ministry stated the federal government will work to maintain the robust export momentum and enhance the basic competitiveness of the auto business sooner or later mobility sector this yr amid persisting international commerce uncertainties.
