SEOUL, October 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s five major automakers posted a 5.4 percent increase in sales in September from a year earlier, overcoming stronger U.S. tariffs and partial union strikes at home.
The companies shipped 683,150 vehicles last month, up 5.4 percent from a year ago, according to disclosures.Hyundai Motor sold 66,001 units domestically, up 18.3 percent, and 306,297 units overseas, up 6.4 percent, buoyed by robust performance of its key brands. “Our flagships did well globally, helping to keep up growth,” a Hyundai spokesman said.
Kia sold 49,001 units at home, up 28.5 percent, and 218,782 units overseas, up 3.7 percent, led by demand for clean-fuel vehicles. A Kia spokesman said the jump in domestic sales reflected a base effect, as last year’s Chuseok holiday fell in September, along with record third-quarter sales of SUV hybrids and EV models.
KG Mobility sold 4,100 units domestically and 6,536 units overseas, surging 39.3 percent thanks to rising demand for eco-friendly vehicles. The company reported its best monthly sales, powered by exports of its Musso EV and Torres EVX fleet.
Renault Korea sold 4,182 units domestically and 4,528 overseas. Overseas sales rose 25.2 percent, offsetting a 16.5 percent drop at home.
Strike-hit GM Korea sold 1,231 units domestically and 22,492 overseas, down 39.1 percent from last year. Domestic sales plunged 37.1 percent and overseas sales fell 39.2 percent.
But compared with the previous month, domestic sales inched up 2.0 percent while overseas sales gained 13.3 percent. “Global demand for GM’s strategic models, including the Chevrolet Trax Crossover and Trailblazer, remains strong,” said Gustavo Colosi, GM Korea’s vice president of sales, service, and marketing.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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