Tesla saw its vehicle registrations in South Korea surge 330% year-on-year to 11,134 units in March, according to industry analysts.

The growth follows recent price cuts on China-made Model 3 and Model Y EVs, intensifying price competition among electric vehicle makers in the Korean market.

Tesla plans to expand its presence in Japan to at least 60 stores as it aims to become the country’s top imported car brand as early as next year, according to Japan country manager Richi Hashimoto.

Currently, Tesla operates 35 stores and 14 service centers, with plans to more than double its service network to 30 locations.

The expansion comes amid modest EV adoption in Japan, where German luxury brands dominate foreign car sales. Tesla sold just over 10,000 vehicles in Japan last year and has launched the six-seater Model Y L to appeal to families, broadening its reach beyond early adopters.

Tesla’s strategy emphasizes test drives to address drivers’ concerns about switching from petrol cars, alongside extensive staff training to improve sales efficiency.

Despite global EV market slowdowns, Japan’s market remains strategically important for Tesla as EV penetration is still low, though rising fuel prices could accelerate adoption.

In Q1 2026, Tesla sold roughly half of last year’s Japanese volume, signaling strong early momentum for its growth plans.