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South Korea's Auto Exports Hit Record $72B in 2025 on Green Car Boom

South Korea's automobile exports set a new annual record of $72 billion in 2025, marking the third straight year above the $70 billion threshold. The achievement came despite challenging conditions like U.S. tariffs, powered by robust global demand for eco-friendly and used Korean vehicles. Exports of hybrids soared 30% to a record $14.8 billion, while used car shipments skyrocketed 75.1%. The government aims to maintain this export momentum and bolster the industry's competitiveness in future mobility sectors.

Key Points: S. Korea Auto Exports Hit Record $72B in 2025

  • Record $72B in 2025 exports
  • Eco-friendly vehicle exports surged 11%
  • Hybrid car exports jumped 30%
  • Used car exports spiked 75.1%
2 min read

S. Korea's auto exports hit record $72 billion in 2025

South Korea's auto exports reached a record $72 billion in 2025, driven by surging global demand for eco-friendly and used vehicles.

"it made the achievement thanks to stronger demand for Korean-made eco-friendly cars and used vehicles - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources"

Seoul, Jan 15

South Korea's exports of automobiles reached an all-time high of $72 billion last year thanks to the strong overseas demand for eco-friendly vehicles and used cars, government data showed on Thursday.

The figure marked a 1.7 per cent increase from $70.8 billion in exports in 2024, and a 1.55 per cent rise from the previous high of $70.9 billion tallied in 2023, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, reports Yonhap news agency.

It also marked the third consecutive year of the country's annual car exports surpassing the $70 billion threshold.

The ministry said the domestic automobile industry faced unfavorable export conditions last year, notably with U.S. tariff measures, but it made the achievement thanks to stronger demand for Korean-made eco-friendly cars and used vehicles.

Last year, exports of eco-friendly vehicles, including electric, hydrogen and hybrid cars, grew 11 per cent on-year to $25.8 billion.

In particular, outbound shipments of hybrid cars surged 30 per cent to a record $14.8 billion.

Exports of used cars spiked 75.1 per cent to an all-time high of $8.87 billion thanks to the brand recognition of Korean cars and the weakness of the local currency, the ministry said.

Domestic production of automobiles came to 4.1 million units in 2025, topping 4 million units for the third consecutive year.

Domestic car sales increased 3.3 per cent on-year to 1.68 million units, comprising 1.36 million Korean brand cars and 320,000 imported cars.

Sales of eco-friendly cars here advanced 25 per cent to 813,000 units, accounting for nearly half of the total domestic sales.

The ministry said the government will work to keep the strong export momentum and boost the fundamental competitiveness of the automobile industry in the future mobility sector this year amid persisting global trade uncertainties.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Wow, $72 billion! And used car exports up 75%? That's a huge market we are probably missing out on. Korean brands like Hyundai and Kia have built such strong global trust. Our domestic brands need to think more about the international second-hand market as a serious revenue stream.
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Rohit P
Good for them, but reading this makes me a bit frustrated. We have the talent and the market size. Why can't India achieve this scale of export dominance? Is it infrastructure, policy inconsistency, or something else? We need to move faster in the future mobility race.
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Sarah B
The hybrid car growth (30%!) is the real story here. It shows consumers globally are looking for practical, transitional green tech, not just all-in on EVs. Indian automakers like Tata and Mahindra should double down on their hybrid offerings for export markets.
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Vikram M
They overcame US tariffs and still grew. That's resilience. The 'Make in India' push needs this kind of export-oriented grit. Also, nearly half of their domestic sales are eco-friendly cars? We have a long way to go in adopting green vehicles at home before we can export them in volume. 🇮🇳
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Kavya N
A respectful criticism: While we celebrate South Korea's success, our media and industry leaders often get stuck in comparisons. Let's focus on our strengths—small cars, cost-effective EVs, and the massive domestic market to test and perfect products. Our journey will be different, but can be just as successful.

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