Domestic sales by South Korea’s five main automakers increased by 1.9% to 106,343 units combined in January, from 104,377 units a year earlier, according to data released by the vehicle manufacturers industry.

The data does not include sales of smaller volume vehicle manufacturers, such as Tata-Daewoo and Daewoo Bus Corporation.

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Global sales by the ‘big five’ were down by 2.1% at 740,705 units, from 756,635 units previously, with GM Korea driving overall volumes lower due to sharply lower exports of Chevrolet models. GM’s recent decision to withdraw the Chevrolet brand from Europe is clearly affecting its business in South Korea.

Hyundai Motor reported a 2.6% rise in domestic sales to 51,525 units with strong sales of the Genesis and Azera passenger cars and Tucson SUV helping to drive volumes forward. Overseas sales were slightly weaker, however, at 359,983 units, resulting in a 0.3% drop in global sales to 411,508 units.

Kia Motors reported a 6.2% drop in domestic sales to 34,000 units, while overseas sales fell by 0.5% at 223,259 units. Global sales were 0.7 lower at 257,259 units.

GM Korea’s domestic sales increased by 8.4% to 10,873 units in January although a sharp drop in overseas sales – of over 25% to 42,733 units – meant that global sales fell by just over 20% to 53,606 units.

Samsung reported a 35% increase in domestic sales to 5,445 units and a 9.6% rise in global sales to 11,634 units in the month, helped by strong demand for the new Korando SUV. Stronger SM3 demand helped drive Renault-Samsung’s domestic sales 17% higher at 4,500 and global sales 17.3% higher at 6,698 units.

South Korean carmakers: domestic/overseas sales by brand, January 2014

 

Domestic

Overseas

Global

Hyundai

51,525

359,983

411,508

Kia

34,000

223,259

257,259

GM Korea

10,873

42,733

53,606

Ssangyong

5,445

6,189

11,634

Renault-Samsung

4,500

2,198

6,698

Total

106,343

634,362

740,705

Source: industry sources, AsiaMotorBusiness.com

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