Let’s take a look at the results of analyzing the number of new car registrations by fuel used in 2022, compiled by the Kaizuyu Data Research Center on the 26th. Last year , 850,002 gasoline vehicles were sold. Although it decreased by 4.4% from the previous year, it is weak compared to diesel cars that took a direct hit from the eco-friendly wind.
Diesel Units
Diesel sold 350,616 units, down 18.5% from the previous year. Meanwhile, LPG vehicles, the original eco-friendly vehicle, also sold only 85,577 units, down 18.4% from the previous year. On the other hand, hybrid cars performed well unexpectedly. Hybrid cars increased by 14.3% compared to the previous year. It sold 211,304 units, second only to gasoline and diesel cars. Rather, electric cars sold 164,482 units, a 63.8% increase from the previous year, but more than 40,000 units less than hybrid cars, making them the No. 2 eco-friendly car.
Comparatives
Elon Musk’s Tesla served as a fuse to advance the slowly approaching electric car era by putting it on the front of the Model 3. The influence of the Model 3, which increased its power beyond gusts and typhoons, turned the market upside down. Stimulated by Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Porsche, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Polestar, Volkswagen, and MINI, world-class automobile brands scrambled to enter the electric vehicle market.
But was it because I was in too much of a hurry? The electric car market, which had grown terribly, began to put the brakes on. The era of electric vehicles, which opened more quickly than expected, met obstacles such as a lack of charging systems, fires, and electricity price hikes.
Side effects of it
Side effects came out here and there as the electric car era, which should have come with proper charging infrastructure for the number of units sold and sufficient verification of battery safety, was rapidly advancing. Thanks to this, hybrid cars, which were thought to be ruined soon due to the rapid growth of electric cars, got another chance due to the side effects of electric cars. As the role of a stepping stone between internal combustion locomotives and electric vehicles has been highlighted again, the survival period has increased.
Furthermore, until the charging and safety technology of electric vehicles develops, the role of the ‘popular eco-friendly car’ is again taken over by hybrid cars. Unlike gasoline and diesel vehicles, the fact that sales are on the rise proves this. In addition, the decision to extend the hybrid car acquisition tax exemption period is expected to be a good news. It is known that the hybrid car acquisition tax exemption (up to 400,000 won), which was scheduled to end at the end of last year, will be maintained until the end of next year.
Ranking of hybrid cars in the domestic automobile market last year
First, looking at domestic cars, Kia occupied the 1st to 4th places. In particular, the Sorento Hybrid was so unique that it would not be an exaggeration to say that it improved the presence of hybrid cars in Korea. Last year, the Sorento Hybrid sold 49,198 units. This car, which was so popular that you had to wait for more than 1 year and 6 months after the contract when the car semiconductor crisis was in full swing, took first place last year without any change. It was followed by K8 Hybrid, Sportage Hybrid, and Niro with 26,372, 20,887, and 19,800 units, respectively. For reference, Hyundai Motor Company’s 6th-generation partially changed Grandeur Hybrid ranked 5th with 19,711 units.
Meanwhile, in imported cars, German cars such as BMW and Mercedes performed well in the hybrid car market, but Japanese cars with excellent hybrid technology such as Toyota and Honda took the lead. The first place was taken by the Lexus ES with 4869 units sold. In addition, the BMW 5 Series, which came out as a hybrid car, sold 2929 units, Toyota Rav4 2696 units, Mercedes GLC 1671 units, and Lexus NX 1589 units, respectively.
Electric vehicles, which can receive subsidies
Electric vehicles, which can receive subsidies as well as eco-friendliness, are still one of the most popular models due to their future-oriented design and technology. However, issues related to charging and fire that occur when you forget are holding back electric vehicles trying to become the protagonists in the automobile market. An industry insider who cited plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), which are close to hybrid cars and electric vehicles, as the most realistic eco-friendly vehicle, said, “Electric vehicles, which are becoming more diverse and have longer mileage, are likely to show sales growth in the future.” It is expected that the number of consumers who choose hybrid cars will increase significantly due to the highlighted charging pain and fire anxiety.”