Domestic sales among South Korea’s five main automakers fell by 6.5% year on year to 103,171 units in August, from 110,338 units last year, according to data released individually by the vehicle manufacturers.
The data does not include sales of South Korea’s low volume commercial vehicle manufacturers, such as Tata-Daewoo and Daewoo Bus Corporation.
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The domestic market last month was affected by industrial action at Hyundai, Kia and Renault-Samsung as strike action held back production and pushed up order backlogs.
Global sales among the ‘big-five’ fell 12.2% to 638,480 units, from 726,996 units previously, with exports also significantly affected by the strikes. Overseas sales fell by less than 1% to 535,309 units, however, because overseas plants picked up some of the slack.
Hyundai Motor reported a slight increase in domestic sales in August, of less than 1% to 48,143, with the introduction of a second shift at its Jeonju plant and strong demand for the newly released Genesis model and the Avante and Sonata helping to offset lower output elsewhere.
Global sales fell by 5.9% to 357,698 units, from 380,285 units previously, reflecting a sharp decline in exports due to the industrial action.
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By GlobalDataKia Motors’ domestic sales fell by 14.9% year on year to 33,189 units in August with industrial action over wages affected domestic output. While demand for the newly released Carnival MPV and for the K3, K5 and Morning passenger cars remained strong, dealers were unable to complete sales due to supply shortages.
Kia’s global sales fell by 17.2% to 217,438 units while overseas sales were 17.6% weaker at 184,249 units.
GM Korea reported a 30% drop in global sales to 43,018 units with overseas sales falling by close to 36% to 31,080 units as the company continued to reorganise its supply to some global markets.
Domestic sales fell by 11% to 11,938 units with production of mini-commercial vehicles still suspended and with output also held back by seasonal factors. Sales of the Malibu and the newly released Alpheon remained strong, however.
Renault-Samsung’s global sales fell by 2.3% to 10,559 units in August, from 10,811 units a year earlier, with industrial action at home holding back production. Domestic sales were 6.9% lower at 4,741 units although an order backlog of more than 5,000 units has built-up – reflecting strong demand for the QM3 and SM3 models. Overseas sales increased by 1.8% to 5,818 units.
Ssangyong Motor reported a 15.9% drop in global sales to 9,767 units in August because demand in the key markets of Russia and Ukraine has declined significantly since conflict broke out between the two countries earlier this year.
Domestic sales were flat at 5,160 units.
South Korean carmakers: domestic/overseas sales by brand, August 2014
|
Domestic |
Overseas |
Global |
|
|
48,143 |
309,555 |
357,698 |
|
|
Kia |
33,189 |
184,249 |
217,438 |
|
GM Korea |
11,938 |
31,080 |
43,018 |
|
Renault-Samsung |
4,741 |
5,818 |
10,559 |
|
Ssangyong |
5,160 |
4,607 |
9,767 |
|
Total |
103,171 |
535,309 |
638,480 |
Source: industry sources, www.AsiaMotorBusiness.com
