Kia Surpasses Hyundai for the First Time in 28 Years in Domestic Sales... Tesla Era Begins for Imported Cars

Kia recorded its highest-ever first-quarter sales in the global market in the first quarter of 2026, breaking into the 4% range for the first time with a 4.1% global market share. A Major Transformation of the Market Landscape: Two 'Historical Events' In the spring of 2026, two historical records were simultaneously set in the domestic automotive market. One is the collapse of a 28-year-old order in the domestic car market, and the other is the sudden dominance of foreign electric vehicle brands, which have seized a share approaching 30% of the imported car market. Both events converge on the same root: a sign that the wave of electrification is fundamentally altering brand rankings and market dynamics. In April 2026, Kia climbed to the top spot in domestic sales by selling 55,045 units in the domestic market, a 7.9% increase compared to the same month last year. For the first time in 28…