Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers including Xpeng, BYD, and Zeekr are expanding in South Korea.

Xpeng set up Xpeng Motors Korea on June 23, 2025, and is recruiting a head of Korean operations.

South Korea’s EV market sold more than 37,200 EVs in February 2026, with EVs making up 30% of new passenger-car and light-duty vehicle sales.

Imported and domestic EV sales were roughly even in January, but domestic brands drove most of February’s growth.

BYD sold 11,675 vehicles in South Korea in the first half of 2026, up from 6,107 in all of 2025.

Its rollout is backed by six dealers handling sales and after-sales service in regions including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan, and Jeju.

South Korea’s 2026 subsidy scheme gives full support to EVs priced under 53 million won (US$36,000) and none above 85 million won (US$57,000).

Tighter rules on driving range and energy density also favor many domestic models over Chinese EVs using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

Zeekr began preorders last month for its 7X SUV from 53 million won (US$36,000), placing it in the same bracket as Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Kia’s EV6, and highlighting competition on features, software, and price.

🔗 Source: The Korea Herald

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