Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
BMW Korea maintains luxury sedan leadership with 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series luxury sedan / Courtesy of BMW Korea
By Lee Min-hyung
BMW Korea’s flagship luxury sedan, the 7 Series, continues to dominate the nation’s imported large sedan market, securing the top sales spot for four consecutive months this year.
According to data from the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), the BMW 7 Series — including the all-electric BMW i7 — recorded combined sales of 2,148 vehicles during the January-April period, making it the best-selling imported large sedan here.
The figure marks a 9.4 percent increase from the same period last year, further widening the gap with competing models in the same segment.
The strong performance was driven by balanced demand across the model’s diverse powertrain lineup. The gasoline-powered BMW 740i xDrive led sales with 1,062 vehicles, accounting for nearly half of total deliveries.
The diesel-powered BMW 740d xDrive also posted robust growth, with sales rising 17.4 percent year-on-year to 656 vehicles. Electrified variants also maintained steady sales momentum, with 273 BMW i7 vehicles and 157 plug-in hybrid BMW 750e xDrive vehicles sold during the same period.
The 7 Series' theater screen in the rear seat / Courtesy of BMW Korea
BMW Korea attributed the continued success of the 7 Series to the company’s “Power of Choice” strategy, which offers customers a broad range of powertrain options — from internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles — within a single model lineup.
The strategy is designed to ensure customers can enjoy BMW’s signature design, luxury appeal and driving performance, regardless of the type of powertrain the vehicle uses.
The 7 Series lineup in Korea includes the gasoline-powered 740i xDrive, diesel 740d xDrive, plug-in hybrid 750e xDrive, fully electric i7 and the high-performance BMW i7 M70 xDrive.
BMW Korea has also strengthened its personalized customer experience through its bespoke ordering program, BMW Individual.
The BMW 7 Series luxury sedan / Courtesy of BMW Korea
Available to buyers of top-tier models, including the 750e xDrive, i7 xDrive60 and i7 M70 xDrive, the program allows customers to configure up to 300,000 combinations of exterior colors, trim finishes, interior materials and seat specifications.
To enhance the ownership journey even before vehicle delivery, customers purchasing through the BMW Individual program are offered extended test drives of equivalent models during the waiting period and early access to premium membership benefits through the BMW Excellence Club.
BMW Excellence Club, an exclusive membership program for BMW luxury-class owners, including 7 Series customers, offers curated lifestyle benefits and premium experiences that extend beyond vehicle ownership.
One of its signature privileges is VIP access to the Cannes Film Festival, including red-carpet events, official screenings and luxury hospitality programs.