Tesla’s dominance in South Korea’s imported vehicle market is reaching new heights, with the automaker setting another all-time monthly sales record in April 2026. After becoming the country’s top-selling imported car brand for the first time in the first quarter, Tesla has now widened the gap over its rivals in April.
According to new figures released by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), Tesla delivered 13,190 vehicles in South Korea in April, up from its previous record of 11,130 units in March. The result represents a staggering 1,050% year-over-year increase and cements Tesla’s position as the country’s leading imported automotive brand, ahead of traditional luxury heavyweights BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
BMW finished April with 6,658 sales, while Mercedes-Benz followed with 4,796 deliveries. Chinese EV maker BYD continued its rapid rise as well, placing fourth with 2,023 units sold.
The biggest driver behind Tesla’s explosive growth was once again the Model Y. Tesla sold 10,086 units of the electric SUV in April alone, making it the first imported vehicle model in South Korean history to surpass 10,000 monthly sales.
The Model 3 also posted strong numbers with 2,596 deliveries, giving Tesla the top two best-selling imported vehicles in the country for the month.
The latest numbers continue an extraordinary growth trend for Tesla in South Korea this year. The automaker has now delivered 34,154 vehicles through the first four months of 2026, with monthly sales climbing steadily from 1,966 in January, to 7,868 in February, 11,130 in March, and now 13,190 in April.
Multiple factors are contributing to the surge in EV demand. South Korea’s earlier-than-usual confirmation of EV subsidies at the start of the year appears to have accelerated purchases, while higher global oil prices tied to ongoing geopolitical tensions have pushed more consumers toward EVs as imported EV sales reached 18,319 units in April, up 394% compared to the same period last year.
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