January Auto Exports Reach USD 6.07 Billion... "Triple Increase" in Exports, Domestic Sales, and Production

Eco-Friendly Vehicles Account for 42%
Domestic Electric Vehicle Sales Soar 507%

In January, automobile exports exceeded 6 billion dollars, marking the second-highest performance ever for the month of January. Exports, domestic sales, and production all recorded double-digit growth rates, achieving a "triple increase."

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's provisional report titled "Trends in the Automobile Industry in January 2026," released on the 19th, automobile exports in January amounted to 6.07 billion dollars, up 21.7% from the same month a year earlier. This is the second-largest January export figure on record.

The ministry analyzed that this performance was driven by a base effect from last year, when the Lunar New Year holidays fell in January and reduced the number of working days by three, as well as strong exports of eco-friendly vehicles.

Exports of eco-friendly vehicles came to 2.56 billion dollars, an increase of 48.5% year-on-year, setting a new all-time high for January. Eco-friendly vehicles accounted for 42% of total automobile export value.

By vehicle type, exports of hybrid vehicles surged 85.5% to 1.71 billion dollars, while exports of electric and hydrogen vehicles increased 21.2% to 780 million dollars.

Export volume totaled 246,574 units, up 23.4% from a year earlier. Within this, exports of eco-friendly vehicles rose 51.5% to 92,164 units, accounting for 37.4% of total export volume.

Domestic sales also showed signs of recovery. Domestic automobile sales in January reached 120,787 units, a 14.0% increase from the same month a year earlier. Sales of domestically produced vehicles rose 9.6% to 98,058 units, while imported vehicle sales climbed 37.9% to 22,729 units.

In particular, domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles jumped 48.3% to 57,584 units, taking up 47.7% of total domestic sales. Sales of electric vehicles soared 507.2% to 10,098 units.

Production expanded in tandem. Automobile production in January reached 360,500 units, up 24.1% from a year earlier. All five finished carmakers increased their production, and some companies that had temporarily suspended plant operations in January last year posted growth rates exceeding 2,000%.

By export destination, shipments to North America increased 25.7% to 3.29 billion dollars, while exports to the European Union rose 34.4% to 871 million dollars. In contrast, exports to Asia fell 30.1%.

The government believes that future performance will depend on whether demand continues to recover in major markets, while export competitiveness centered on eco-friendly vehicles is maintained.