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



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



“Volvo Trucks Marks 30 Years, Trust Stronger Amid Crisis”

In June 2020, upon assuming office as Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Korea, Park Kang-seok was immediately confronted with a convergence of adverse conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a global supply chain crisis, and a sharp rise in exchange rates. Despite these compounded challenges, he has steered the company through waves of uncertainty, maintaining its leadership in Korea’s imported commercial vehicle market. Now in his sixth year at the helm, this year also marks the 30th anniversary of Volvo Trucks Korea — a significant milestone for the company. Reflecting on the past as an unprecedented series of challenges, Park nevertheless expressed strong confidence in the company’s qualitative growth, achieved on the foundation of deep-rooted trust with customers. Read more, Click here



Truck Sales Slump Across All Segments and Tonnage Classes Last Year

Amid ongoing shifts in the logistics environment and persistent Korea and external uncertainties, Korea’s medium and heavy-duty truck market remained mired in contraction last year, with sales declining across all vehicle types and tonnage classes. The downturn is attributed to the combined impact of slowing economic activity in Korea and reduced freight volumes, which weighed on new vehicle purchasing sentiment in the commercial truck market. Read more, Click here



Treated as Gross Negligence...Cargo Safety Accidents Could Drive Truck Operators Beyond Fines to B..

Properly securing cargo is a basic yet mandatory requirement for every truck operator before taking to the road. In the past, being cited during inspections was often dismissed as mere bad luck. However, with the reintroduction of the Safe Freight Rates System, strict compliance with cargo-securing regulations has become a critical prerequisite for protecting a driver’s license, income, and ultimately public safety. Industry observers note that adherence to cargo safety standards is no longer a matter of individual discretion but a key safeguard for business continuity. In particular, the risks stemming from failure to fulfill legally mandated cargo-securing obligations carry substantial weight, as the consequences are directly tied to an operator’s livelihood and business survival. Read more, Click here



LPG Trucks Gain Ground as Electric Truck Market Stagnates

As the government began restricting new registrations of 1 ton diesel light-duty trucks last year, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia introduced 1 ton LPG trucks equipped with 2.5 liter turbocharged engines to replace their existing 1 ton diesel models. While the industry had initially expected that demand for conventional diesel trucks would largely shift toward eco-friendly electric trucks, it has been found that most of the demand has instead moved to LPG trucks rather than electric models. In fact, although total sales of 1 ton trucks declined by more than 18.9% year-on-year, LPG trucks accounted for the majority of overall sales. This trend is expected to continue even after the launch of the “Next-Generation Porter (project name: LT2).” Truck owners have assessed that LPG trucks, which can be operated much like conventional diesel vehicles, require less attention than electric trucks in terms of refueling convenience and driving range, making them a more practical choice. Read more, Click here



Diesel Rebounds in the Medium and Large Bus Market, Electric Slows, Hydrogen Expands

Total sales of 9 meter mid-size buses and 11 meter large buses, based on new vehicle registrations, reached 8,209 units last year, marking a slight decline from 8,233 units recorded during the same period a year earlier. In particular, the medium and large bus market in korea had maintained a modest growth trajectory for three consecutive years from 2022 through 2024, supported by the recovery in public transportation demand following the lifting of COVID-19 social distancing measures. However, in 2025, the market has shown signs of slowing. Read more, Click here



Hyundai Motor’s Jeonju Plant Shutdown Extends from ‘Four Months to Six’… Body Builders Str..

As the shutdown of Hyundai Motor Jeonju Plant, a dedicated production facility for trucks and buses operated by Hyundai Motor Company, enters its sixth month, small and mid-sized body builders that rely on special-purpose chassis supplied by the plant have effectively come to a complete halt. Read more, Click here



Commercial Vehicle Installment Interest Rates ‘Stabilize’ This Year

Commercial vehicle (including trucks and buses) installment interest rates have shown a stable downward trend, as the Bank of Korea cut its benchmark interest rate to 2.5% in May and has kept it unchanged for the past seven months.Read more, Click here



Direct hit from the downturn in the truck market… last year’s special vehicle market also ‘c..

Amid a prolonged downturn in the Korean truck market driven by the economic slowdown, the special-purpose vehicle segment also failed to escape a declining trend last year.   According to statistics from the KAIZU Data Research Institute, which processes commercial vehicle registration data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and provides them exclusively to this publication, sales of cargo truck–based special-purpose vehicles (including special vehicles) with a payload capacity of 2 tons or more totaled 8,285 units from January to November 2025, based on new vehicle registrations.   This marks a 10.3% decrease from 9,241 units recorded during the same period a year earlier. The decline is notably steeper compared with 2024, when the decrease was marginal at just 0.1%.Read more, Click here

