BMW Aims for ‘Number 1 Import Car’ Again This Year
Surpasses Mercedes in the First Month of the New Year
BMW sold 5,960 units last month, ranking as the top import car brand
BMW’s flagship sedan, the 520, became the best-selling model
Balanced sales of sedans and SUVs drive sales
‘BMW, which took the top spot in the domestic import car market last year, surpassed its rival Mercedes-Benz from the first month of the new year to become the number one import car brand by registrations.’
According to the Korea Imported Automobile Association (KAIDA) on the 5th, the number of new imported passenger car registrations in January was counted at 15,229 units. This is an increase of 16.4% compared to the same month last year.
BMW topped brand registrations with 5,960 units. It was followed by Mercedes (3,790 units), Lexus (1,126 units), Volvo (1,033 units), and Porsche (644 units) in the upper ranks.
Other brands included Toyota (430 units), Ford (366 units), Land Rover (325 units), Audi (320 units), and Mini (234 units). Tesla, which was competing with BMW and Mercedes in sales, recorded the lowest sales among all import car brands last month, selling only five units.
The best-selling import car model last month was the BMW 520, with 1,051 units sold. It was followed by the Lexus ES300h (632 units) and Mercedes E 200 (604 units) as top-selling models.
KAIDA Vice Chairman Jung Yoon-young explained, “Despite the sales day shortage due to the Lunar New Year holidays, the number of new imported passenger car registrations in January increased compared to the same month last year thanks to some brands resolving their supply issues and actively promoting their products.”
BMW ran as the top import car brand for seven consecutive years from 2009 to 2015, but sales were overtaken starting in 2016, and for seven years until 2022, they ranked second to Mercedes. However, they reclaimed the top position last year.
BMW has been bridging the gap with Mercedes by increasing sales centered around the 5 Series and the X Series, a lineup of sports utility vehicles (SUVs). The X Series, spanning from 1 to 7, has gained widespread popularity, growing into the representative SUV lineup among import brands.
In fact, looking at BMW’s top five domestic sales models last month, the 530i xDrive (457 units), X3 20 xDrive (433 units), X7 xDrive40i (293 units), and 740i xDrive (267 units) followed the 520, with a balanced sales boost from both sedan and SUV models.
BMW plans to launch its first all-electric coupe-style SAC, the ‘BMW iX2,’ in Korea during the first quarter of this year. The iX2 will feature the 5th generation BMW eDrive system, producing a maximum output of 204 horsepower and a maximum torque of 25.5 kg·m. In the third quarter, they plan to introduce the facelift models ‘iX45’, ‘iX60’, and ‘iX m70’, which are updates to the iX40, iX50, and iX m60.