🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Mercedes EV sales in Korea lag peers

• Mercedes-Benz sold 512 EVs in Korea from Jan to Apr 2025, behind Tesla 6,265, BMW 1,880, plus Porsche 915 1.
• It had the steepest annual sales drop among the top six foreign carmakers in 2024, which put it in second behind BMW Korea 1.
• Mercedes’ EV momentum stalled after a nationwide scandal over a fire in the EQE electric sedan (the EQE is Mercedes’ midsize electric sedan), which chilled buyer sentiment 1.
• Mercedes will launch four new EVs for Korea starting in 2026 2. It also plans an Asian procurement hub in Seoul by Jan 2026, a move to rebuild trust in a market where Tesla grew 548.9% in 2024 2.

Auto parts suppliers targeting Mercedes’ Asia hub in Seoul should prepare for VDA 6.3 certification and digital procurement systems

• Hiring is underway for sourcing managers in Seoul to run negotiations and start Requests for Offer (RFOs) with suppliers in Korea, Japan, plus plants in Southeast Asia 3.
• Quality experts are preferred with VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry) Potential Analysis certification (a standardized pre-assessment of a supplier’s capabilities) plus Process Auditor status under VDA 6.3 (the industry’s process audit standard) to run capability checks 4.
• Software, quality, or logistics vendors can pitch this plan because the procurement division buys in the double-digit billions each year 3.
• New business roles that map Korea’s auto supplier base and set up relationships signal near-term openings for local manufacturers 5.