二手车出口，正成为缓解美国关税的“良药”？

Core Viewpoint - South Korea is leveraging its booming used car export business to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs on new car exports, with significant growth in this sector contributing to overall automotive export figures [1][3]. Group 1: Impact of U.S. Tariffs - The U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on imported cars, which has severely affected global automotive industries, particularly those closely tied to the U.S. market, including South Korea [3]. - Despite reaching an agreement to reduce tariffs to 15%, South Korea's automotive exports to the U.S. have declined for six consecutive months due to ongoing negotiations and uncertainties [3][6]. - In August, South Korea's automotive export value reached $5.5 billion, a 9% year-on-year increase, marking the highest monthly export figure on record [3]. Group 2: Growth of Used Car Exports - Used car exports now account for 25% of South Korea's total automotive exports, with a 13% share of export value [6]. - In August, used car export value surged by 35% to $710 million, driven by record-high sales [3][6]. - The majority of South Korea's used cars are exported to the Middle East, Central Asia, and Russia, with sales to the Middle East surpassing new car sales [6]. Group 3: Challenges and Future Prospects - The South Korean used car export industry faces challenges such as inadequate export infrastructure, which may hinder growth [8]. - The government is considering policy interventions to support the used car export sector, recognizing its importance as a major export product [8]. - Despite challenges, projections indicate that South Korea's used car export volume and value are expected to reach new highs this year [8].