Tesla Cybertruck Arrives in Korea – FSD by the End of the Year?
Editor
Tesla Korea has finally done it. They announced the successful completion of the first official Cybertruck delivery event outside North America. This is quite interesting because it’s not just a simple vehicle delivery event. It’s a symbolic event that shows how important the Korean market has become in Tesla’s global strategy.
The figures revealed by Seoyoung Deuk, the CEO of Tesla Korea, are impressive. Korea is currently the third-largest market for Tesla sales worldwide and has recorded the highest sales among imported car brands for the first time this year. Personally, I find this growth trend truly astonishing. Just a few years ago, how many people would have predicted Tesla’s success in Korea?
The most noteworthy announcement at this delivery event was related to FSD (Full Self-Driving). Tesla Korea revealed that they have officially introduced the FSD supervised feature in Korea and further announced that the Cybertruck is expected to be included in the FSD feature application within the year. It reportedly received great applause from the attendees, which is understandable.
There are still many questions about how the FSD feature will be implemented in Korea. Unlike the U.S., Korea’s road environment is quite complex. Considering narrow roads, complicated intersections, and a different driving culture, it will be interesting to see how effectively FSD can operate. However, given that Tesla has already been conducting FSD beta tests in Korea, it seems they are somewhat prepared.
Technological Innovation and Market Impact of the Cybertruck
The specifications of the Cybertruck itself are impressive. It’s a model that encapsulates Tesla’s technological prowess with features like an ultra-high-strength stainless steel body, armor glass, class-leading towing and payload performance, and off-road suspension. They even conducted a hammer strike test for durability on-site, showcasing Tesla’s confidence in their technology.
But honestly, there are some doubts about how successful the Cybertruck can be in the Korean market. The vehicle is quite large. While it’s optimized for the wide roads and parking spaces in the U.S., its practicality on Korea’s narrow roads and parking spaces is a separate issue. However, it’s unlikely that Tesla hasn’t considered these factors.
The reactions of competitors are also noteworthy. Hyundai Motor and Kia have already secured significant market shares in the electric vehicle market, and Tesla’s aggressive market expansion is likely to put pressure on domestic automakers. It’s highly probable that a direct competitive landscape will form with Hyundai’s Ioniq series and Kia’s EV lineup.
American automakers like Ford and GM are also competing with Tesla in the electric pickup truck market, and as Tesla expands into the Asian market, global competition is expected to intensify. Tesla seems to be aiming for a first-mover advantage, especially since models like Ford’s F-150 Lightning and GM’s Silverado EV have yet to fully enter the Asian market.
Infrastructure Expansion and Long-term Strategy
Tesla Korea’s infrastructure expansion plans are quite aggressive. Currently, there are 1,133 chargers installed across 166 Supercharger sites in Korea, which is quite impressive. More importantly, they plan to officially introduce V4 Superchargers at highway rest areas in Korea, which could greatly improve long-distance travel convenience.
The expansion of stores and service networks is also notable. They plan to double the current 7 stores and 15 service centers by 2027. The news of a new Tesla store opening in Songdo, Incheon, by the end of December 2025, is likely to be welcomed by customers in the western metropolitan area, as accessibility will be greatly improved.
Considering the scale of this infrastructure investment, it’s clear that Tesla views the Korean market not just as an export destination but as a key hub. Given Korea’s electric vehicle adoption rate and charging infrastructure level, it’s also a very attractive market for Tesla. The government’s electric vehicle support policies remain in effect as well.
However, the competition for charging infrastructure is also intensifying. Hyundai Motor Group’s E-pit, SK Signet’s charging network, and various public charging stations are already established on a significant scale. While Tesla’s Superchargers are technically superior, they will have to compete in terms of accessibility and price competitiveness with existing charging networks.
Personally, I believe Tesla’s aggressive investment will have a positive impact on the overall electric vehicle ecosystem. As competition intensifies, consumers will receive better products and services. However, it will also pose a significant challenge to domestic automakers.
Ultimately, Tesla’s strategy in the Korean market seems to focus on building a comprehensive ecosystem that encompasses everything from vehicle sales to charging infrastructure and service networks. We’ll have to keep an eye on how successful this approach will be and what changes it will bring to the domestic electric vehicle market. I’m particularly curious about how the FSD feature will actually operate on Korean roads.
This article was written by reading an industry article and adding personal opinions and analysis.
Disclaimer: This blog is not a news outlet, and the content is the author’s personal opinion. Responsibility for investment decisions lies with the investor, and no responsibility is taken for investment losses based on the content of this article.
