BMW dominates Korea’s imported EV market
BMW Korea has surpassed its competitors in the imported electric vehicle (EV) market by expanding its charging infrastructure and releasing advanced models, data showed Tuesday.
Data compiled by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association showed that the German carmaker’s local subsidiary sold 914 EVs during the first two months of this year, up 61.5 percent from a year earlier. Consequently, the company holds a 45.6 percent share in the imported EV market here.
In particular, BMW Korea sold 532 EVs in February, demonstrating a 54.7 percent rise year-on-year and occupying nearly half of the imported EV market share in Korea.
Its dominance has been attributed mainly to its aggressive installation of charging infrastructure, which has helped to mitigate inconveniences for EV drivers.
After establishing Korea’s largest EV charging facility, the BMW Charging Station, at its driving center in Incheon in December 2022, BMW Korea has installed 1,119 chargers nationwide. Under a project called Charging Next, the company plans to install over 1,000 additional chargers in the country.
In addition, BMW Korea will open the BMW Hub Charging Station in downtown Seoul for EV drivers to take a rest while charging their vehicles. It will be an ESG Charging Station that uses eco-friendly energy sources and an energy storage system made with recycled batteries for sustainability.
With the efforts to increase its charging infrastructure, BMW Korea also released various electrified models, including sedans, sports activity vehicles and coupes.
The New i5, the best-selling imported EV in the Korean market this year, enables a 441-kilometer drive with a single charge and can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour within just six seconds. The vehicle is also equipped with a head-up display, four-zone air conditioners, the Harman Kardon Hi-Fi sound system and a cutting-edge advanced driver assistance system.