BMW 3 Series sedan / Courtesy of BMW Korea
BMW Korea’s 3 Series sedan continues to dominate the premium midsize segment here, extending its long-standing market leadership with strong sales growth this year.
The model, which surpassed 130,000 vehicles in cumulative domestic sales last year — the first and only one in its class to reach this milestone — sold 1,683 vehicles in the first quarter, up 34.6 percent from a year earlier. The figure is as much as eight times higher than some competing models in the same segment, the German carmaker said.
Introduced in Korea for the first time in 1995, the 3 Series has remained the best-selling model in the premium midsize category. It topped 10,000 vehicles in cumulative sales in 2007, 50,000 in 2015 and 100,000 in 2021, before reaching 130,000 vehicles in 2024.
Globally, the 3 Series has sold more than 20 million units over the past five decades, making it the only single model from a premium brand to achieve that milestone. Since its debut in 1975, the model has evolved through seven generations, while maintaining its core identity as a sports sedan — a balance of dynamic performance and driver-focused design.
Signature design elements, such as a long hood, a low, athletic stance and short front and rear overhangs, have defined the model from the outset. Inside, the driver-oriented cockpit — including a center console angled toward the driver — has remained a hallmark feature.
BMW 3 Series sedan / Courtesy of BMW Korea
Performance has also been central to the model’s appeal. The 3 Series is most famous for delivering precise handling and responsive driving dynamics. Innovations, such as the introduction of six-cylinder engines, variable valve timing and lift technologies, and the BMW xDrive system, have reinforced its reputation for delivering “sheer driving pleasure.”
The current seventh-generation model continues to lead the segment, combining sporty yet refined styling with advanced technology.
Powertrain upgrades include the adoption of 48-volt mild hybrid technology in gasoline models, improving both performance and fuel efficiency. The high-performance M340i variant delivers up to 392 horsepower from its inline six-cylinder engine.
Source: Korea Times News
