Korean Carmakers' Edge Over Chinese Rivals May Fade as EV Shift Gathers Pace
Capital Economics' Gareth Leather says Korean carmakers' edge over Chinese brands may prove temporary as the EV transition speeds up, per Market Talk.
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what happened
South Korean carmakers may not keep their resilience against Chinese rivals as the global market moves toward electric vehicles, according to Capital Economics economist Gareth Leather, as reported by Market Talk. Chinese brands took 44% of EV sales in Korea during the first nine-month period of this year, against 34% in 2025 and only 5% in 2022.
Abroad, Leather warns, Korean manufacturers could also lose ground to Chinese firms, which hold stronger positions in battery technology, production scale and costs. Hyundai and Kia's hybrid success has partly cushioned weaker EV sales, but that protection may be short-lived if the shift to electric cars accelerates.
why it matters
For investors, the view flags risk to Hyundai Motor and Kia shares: their current stability rests on hybrids rather than EVs, where Chinese competition is intensifying. A single analyst's assessment does not determine share moves, but it sets the agenda for upcoming company updates.
market impact
Hyundai Motor, Kia: stronger Chinese EV competition weighs on the Korean auto sector outlook
- Hyundai Motor and Kia shares pressure down — faster EV shift intensifies competition from Chinese brands
tags
instruments
sources
- Korean Carmakers' Resilience Against Chinese Rivals Could Weaken Amid EV Shift — Market Talk, 3 November 2026 at 23:46 UTC
prepared by the newsmetry newsroom with ai assistance from the sources listed below. not investment advice.
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