The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA) reported that domestic sales of compact EVs surged by 130.4 percent year-on-year to 19,103 cars in the first eight months of 2024.
Conversely, sales of large EVs in the Korean market plunged 70.3 percent to 2,477 units.
This domestic shift contrasts sharply with export trends, where larger EVs have seen substantial growth.
Exports of large EVs increased 128.9 percent to 23,078 cars during the same period, while compact EV exports declined by 46.7 percent to 38,014.
Korean automakers, including sister companies Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., have responded to these trends by adjusting their product strategies.
In the domestic market, they are focusing on expanding their compact EV lineups, which include models like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV.
Meanwhile, for export markets, particularly in North America, they are pushing larger models such as the Kia EV9.
