Online car sales grow in Korea as Peugeot, Tesla and Hyundai go digital

koreajoongangdaily.com Oct 11, 2026

Online car sales grow in Korea as Peugeot, Tesla and Hyundai go digital

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 11, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Imported automakers are expanding online sales in Korea to reduce costs, standardize pricing, and reach a broader customer base. Mercedes‑Benz launched its “Retail of the Future” strategy in April, offering its full lineup nationwide through a single online platform. Peugeot opened a Naver Smart Store, listing every model—including the 3008—and allowing deposits before dealer hand‑off. Tesla continues its direct‑to‑consumer model, while Polestar and Jeep also sell select vehicles via Naver. The shift reflects a global trend toward digital retail, especially for low‑volume electric‑vehicle brands that find offline networks costly.

💡 Why It Matters

· By moving sales online, these brands bypass traditional dealership expenses, enabling tighter price control and faster market penetration in Korea’s competitive automotive landscape.

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