Last month, the total sales of five domestic automobile companies showed a slight decrease compared to the same month last year. In contrast, Kia continued its upward trend last month, recording the largest sales ever for the first quarter.
According to the automobile industry on the 1st, the combined sales of five domestic car companies, including Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Korea, and KG Mobility, were counted at 702,853 units last month. This figure represents a 1.6% decrease compared to 714,524 units sold during the same period last year.
Hyundai Motor sold 365,812 units globally, a decrease of 2% compared to the same month last year. Domestic sales increased by 0.9% to 63,090 units, while overseas sales recorded a decrease of 2.6% to 302,722 units.
In the domestic market, sedans sold a total of 18,186 units, including 6,211 units of the Grandeur, 4,588 units of the Sonata, and 6,829 units of the Avante. Recreational vehicles (RVs) sold a total of 22,433 units, including 5,591 units of the Santa Fe, 4,536 units of the Tucson, 2,869 units of the Kona, and 2,025 units of the Casper. Commercial vehicles sold 5,653 units of the Porter, 3,717 units of the Staria, and 2,400 units of medium and large buses and trucks. The premium brand Genesis sold a total of 10,592 units, including 3,849 units of the G80, 2,928 units of the GV80, and 3,106 units of the GV70.
Kia's total sales in the global market amounted to 278,058 units, an increase of 2.2% compared to the same period last year. By model, the Sportage ranked first in sales with 49,196 units, followed by the Sorento with 25,942 units and the Seltos with 25,790 units.
In the domestic market, 56,000 units were sold, an increase of 2% compared to the same month last year. The most sold model in the domestic market was the Sorento, which recorded 10,155 units. Passenger models included 4,584 units of the RAY, 2,863 units of the K5, and 2,704 units of the K8, with a total of 10,956 units sold. RVs, including the Sorento, sold a total of 35,502 units, comprising 7,710 units of the Carnival, 6,617 units of the Sportage, and 5,351 units of the Seltos. The sales volume of commercial vehicles was 3,548 units.
Overseas sales recorded 227,724 units, an increase of 2.2% compared to the same period last year. The Sportage led overseas sales with 42,579 units, followed by the Seltos with 20,439 units and the K3 (including the K4) with 18,200 units.
Since starting automobile sales in 1962, Kia achieved its largest sales performance ever for the first quarter. From January to March this year, it sold a total of 772,351 units, including 134,412 units domestically, 637,051 units overseas, and 888 units in special sales. This represents an increase of 1.6% compared to the first quarter sales volume of 760,514 units last year.
A Kia official noted, "The hybrid models of the EV3, Sportage, and Sorento, launched in the second half of last year, have driven sales growth, leading to the largest first quarter sales record ever." They added, "We will continue the upward sales trend with competitive new models like the EV4 and Tazzman."
GM Korea sold a total of 41,244 units last month, a decrease of 19.7% compared to the same month last year, combining domestic and export sales. Domestic sales were 1,397 units, which is a decrease of 31.5%, while exports recorded 39,847 units, a decrease of 19.3%.
Renault Korea recorded sales of 8,256 units last month, an increase of 15.7% compared to the same month last year. Domestic sales surged by 200% to 6,116 units, led by the sales performance of the newly launched mid-size SUV, the Koleos. However, exports decreased to 2,140 units, down 58%.
KG Mobility sold 9,483 units, a decrease of 11.4% compared to the same month last year. Exports increased by 4.6% to 6,275 units, while domestic sales decreased by 31.8% to 3,208 units.