[Reporter’s Notebook] Mercedes-Benz Korea’s market position threatened by stunning rise of Porsche, Tesla

The once-prevailing glory of Mercedes-Benz Korea is being challenged by the rapid ascent of Porsche and Tesla, cementing their reputations as highly sought-after electric vehicle (EV) brands in the imported car market. The local subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz still remains one of the two top-selling foreign carmakers here, along with BMW Korea, but it appears increasingly unlikely to retain its former glory in the rapidly emerging EV industry. Multiple data showed the robust rally of Porsche and Tesla here. According to the Financial Supervisory Service, Tesla Korea was the nation’s third-largest overseas carmaker in terms of sales in 2024, outpacing Volkswagen Korea, which secured the spot the previous year. Porsche Korea took fourth place. Mercedes-Benz Korea came in second in sales last year, losing the top spot to BMW Korea. The former also reported the biggest annual sales drop from a year earlier among the top six foreign carmakers here, which also includes Volvo Car Korea. The steep sales fall of Mercedes-Benz Korea is attributable to the weakening popularity of its S-Class high-enWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times