Regulation Reshapes the 1-Ton Truck Market...LPG Models Take 80% Share

As part of efforts to align with global automakers’ decarbonization push, the government banned new registrations of diesel delivery vehicles starting in 2023. By the end of that year, one-ton light trucks equipped with LPG powertrains returned to the market for the first time in two decades. Following the launch of LPG trucks, the fuel mix in the one-ton light truck segment has shifted significantly, with LPG models now dominating the market.   Read more, Click here

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Aftermath of the 2016 Dump Truck Boom?... Demand Slumps for a Decade

At a large quarry in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province—one of the biggest of its kind in Korea—rows of heavy dump trucks line up from dawn, engines off, waiting. Despite being a key hub supplying aggregates to nearby construction sites, the site remains unusually quiet. During the boom years, trucks would make five to six trips starting as early as 5 a.m. Now, drivers say it is difficult to complete even two trips even after waiting for half a day. This prolonged slowdown is taking a direct toll on the dump truck market.Read more, Click here

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“If Hyundai’s Jeonju Plant Stops, We Stop Even Longer”

An official from the special-purpose vehicle industry said, “If Hyundai Motor Company halts its production lines for a week, it disrupts our operations for a month. If we fail to meet delivery deadlines for completed special-purpose vehicles, contracts are canceled—and the financial losses fall entirely on us. Yet Hyundai has never properly apologized to us,” voicing frustration over the recurring suspension of commercial vehicle production lines.   Read more, Click here

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240,000 Overloading Violations in Six Years…KRW 132.4 Billion in Fines

Last year, 37,000 cases of overloaded trucks were recorded. The number of violations rose from 44,002 in 2020—when the truck safety freight rate system was first introduced—to 44,431 in 2021, before showing a year-on-year decline thereafter. However, despite strong government enforcement, truck overloading has persisted at around 30,000 to 40,000 cases annually, showing no significant decrease. Read more, Click here

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Exports Driven by Light-Duty Models, The Structure of Korean Truck Exports

A total of 60,601 trucks were exported overseas last year, up 3.2% from 58,749 units the previous year. Export value also increased. Korean truck exports reached a total of $968.25 million(as of Feb. 9, 2026), marking a 2.6% rise from $943.91 million a year earlier.   Read more, Click here

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Truck Parking at 2.7%…A ‘Structural Limitation’ Behind the Shortage?

The shortage of truck parking is emerging as a structural limitation rather than simply an issue of enforcement and penalties. With limited designated spaces available, trucks unable to find parking are being pushed onto roads, while illegal overnight parking is increasingly becoming a threat to traffic safety. Although local governments and police have stepped up enforcement, confusion on the ground shows little sign of easing. Read more, Click here

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Hyundai Commercial Vehicle Service Network ‘overloaded?’…Drivers Facing Operational Disrupti..

Hyundai Motor Company is facing criticism from within and outside the industry over its ability to keep up with rising demand for commercial vehicle maintenance. Given that commercial vehicle operations are directly tied to income, delays in servicing can immediately lead to financial losses, raising the need for a broader review of overall service quality. Read more, Click here

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Diesel Prices Overtake Gasoline… Freight Trucks and Charter Bus Industries on the Brink

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, triggered by U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran, are reshaping price dynamics in South Korea’s energy market. Since the strikes began on the 28th of last month, international diesel prices have surged from $92 to $155 per barrel, marking a nearly 67% increase in just ten days. As a result, diesel prices in Korea—long cheaper than gasoline—have now overtaken gasoline prices.As of March 9, the nationwide average price of diesel stood at around 1,920 won per liter, about 25 won higher than gasoline (1,895 won). In some regions, prices are already nearing 2,000 won per liter. Diesel-reliant sectors—including freight transport, charter bus operators, and heavy equipment operators— are calling for freight rate adjustments and expanded fuel subsidies.Read more, Click here

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Freight Transport Market Sees Disappearance of ‘Young’ Drivers

As the freight transport sector continues to age, the sustainability of the logistics supply chain is emerging as a critical challenge. Industry sources indicate that generational turnover among truck drivers has effectively stalled, and even new entrants to the market are no longer young. According to the report “Job Outlook for Truck Drivers in the Freight Transport Market and Policy Responses” released in 2023 by the Korea Transport Institute, the aging trend stems from a combination of structural factors, including ▲ the financial burden of market entry ▲ a lease-based employment structure centered on owner-operators ▲ and prolonged restrictions on new operating permits. Based on an in-depth analysis of the report, this publication will examine the causes of aging in the freight transport market and explore policy and industry response measures in a four-part series. Read more, Click here

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2026 Strategies of Seven Korean and Imported Truck Brands

Korea’s commercial vehicle market in 2026 is set to mark a “year of operational consolidation,” aimed at overcoming prolonged economic uncertainty and securing tangible growth momentum. With the reintroduction of the Safe Freight Rates System this year, and the previously declarative push toward eco-friendly transition now moving into practical implementation, the market is entering a more execution-driven phase. Large electric trucks are beginning to see wider field deployment, while hydrogen powertrains are undergoing full-scale operational validation. In particular, brands are moving beyond a sales-centric approach and placing strategic emphasis on reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), which is directly tied to cost efficiency at logistics sites. Read more, Click here

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