Daedong Mobility Steps Up Expansion into Japan’s Golf Cart Market
Daedong Mobility Steps Up Expansion into Japan’s Golf Cart Market
-. Japan’s electric golf cart market sees rapid growth... Daedong Mobility signs local distributor deal and tests market with demo carts
-. Japan-specific model with electronic guidance, air conditioning, and wide tires set for launch this year
-. Targeting 200 units by year-end and 1,000 units annually by 2030 through expanded service and sales networks
Daedong Mobility, the smart mobility subsidiary of Daedong Group (CEO Won Yu-hyun), announced on August 25, 2025, that it will accelerate the expansion of its golf cart business by entering the Japanese market, which ranks third globally with about 2,500 golf courses.
Japan’s golf cart market is divided between internal combustion and electric models. The share of electric carts, which was 32 percent in 2021, is projected to reach 42 percent by 2025, representing an average annual growth rate of around 9 percent. The market’s annual sales volume is about two to three times larger than that of Korea. Recognizing the strong shift toward electrification and Japan’s growth potential, Daedong Mobility began preparing early for market entry.
Earlier this year, the company signed a dealership agreement with a local distributor specializing in golf equipment and EV batteries, laying the groundwork for expansion. Based on detailed market research, it also started developing golf carts tailored specifically to Japanese courses. Since July, Daedong Mobility has supplied more than ten demo carts to golf courses across Japan to evaluate customer response and build brand recognition.
The demo models received high marks for their electronic guidance capability, air-conditioning performance, ride comfort, and design quality. The company also noted that Japanese golf courses typically use magnetic guide wires for navigation, which limits compatibility between systems and carts. This situation has restricted purchasing options for course operators, creating an opportunity for Daedong Mobility’s universally compatible guidance technology.
Daedong Mobility will officially launch its Japan-specific golf cart in November, signaling the full-scale start of its business in the country. The new model is equipped with a universal sensor, validated through demo testing, that supports electronic guidance on any golf course regardless of system type. Reflecting Japan’s hot, humid climate and caddie-free culture, the cart includes a built-in air conditioner, wide tires, and a slope sensor that limits downhill speed to 14 kilometers per hour for enhanced safety.
Within the year, Daedong Mobility plans to establish an after-sales service network across the Kanto, Kansai, and Chubu regions, while strengthening dealer training and local partnerships to improve both product quality and service competitiveness. With superior performance, user convenience, and price competitiveness compared with rival models, the company aims to sell 200 units by the end of the year and expand annual sales to 1,000 units by 2030 through various promotional programs.