Renault Scenic E-Tech Wins Korea’s “Imported Car of the Year,” First Non-German Brand to Do So

Korea’s auto industry maintained solid exports and production in 2025, but its 2030 competitiveness will depend on EV transition execution. The domestic market has matured, while hybrids have become a defensive pillar. EV adoption remains below the government’s target, and U.S.-EU policy pressure and Chinese EV competition are reshaping export strategies. Future competitiveness will hinge on pricing, localization, battery sourcing, and charging and safety confidence.

According to Indonesian state news agency Antara and other local media on May 14, Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Indonesia (HMID), met with reporters the previous day at an event in Jakarta announcing the winners of the “FIFA World Cup 2026 Test Drive Campaign.” He said, “Since establishing the Karawang battery cell plant, we have had a clear goal of maximizing the use of Indonesia’s nickel resources,” adding that “directly utilizing these resources in industry is a way to contribute to the national economy, and Hyundai Motor fully supports the government’s plan to expand incentives.”

According to data released by the China Automobile Dealers Association, in April 2026, the national used car market recorded a transaction volume of 1.6712 million units, down 6.73% MoM and down 1.76% YoY, with a transaction value of 113.476 billion yuan. From January to April 2026, the cumulative used car transaction volume reached 6.4932 million units, up 2.93% YoY, an increase of 184,600 units compared with the same period last year, with a cumulative transaction value of 426.358 billion yuan.