South Korea 2003: Hyundai Sonata keeps Avante at bay
Hyundai Sonata
* See the Top 35 best-selling local models by clicking on the title! Thanks to Pedro *
After losing the top spot to the Hyundai Avante at mid-year, the Hyundai Sonata reclaims the title of best-selling car in South Korea by the end of 2003, and this for the 5th consecutive year. It sells 92,143 units (-16%) vs. 86,006 (-10%) for the Avante. The Samsung SM5 is down 20% to 80,371 sales but brilliantly maintains itself within the South Korean podium.
SsangYong Musso Sports
Two SUVs progress this year: the Hyundai Santa Fe is up 10% on 2002 but stays #4 at 77,261 units while the Kia Sorento is up 3 spots and 28% to #5 with 68,051 sales. Notice also the SsangYong Musso up 9 ranks and 18% to #7 at 42,229 units, the SsangYong Rexton up 2 to #8, the Hyundai Trajet up 7 to #11, the Daewoo Lacetti up 22 to #12, the Samsung SM3 up 8 to #15 and the Kia X-Trek landing directly at #20.
Previous post: South Korea 6 months 2003: Hyundai Avante new leader
Full Year 2003 Top 35 Ranking Table below.
South Korea 2003:
| Pos | Model | 2003 | /02 | 2002 | Pos |
| 1 | Hyundai EF Sonata | 92,143 | -16% | 109,293 | 1 |
| 2 | Hyundai Avante XD | 86,006 | -10% | 95,794 | 3 |
| 3 | Samsung SM5 | 80,371 | -20% | 100,777 | 2 |
| 4 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 77,261 | 10% | 70,288 | 4 |
| 5 | Kia Sorento | 68,051 | 28% | 52,963 | 8 |
| 6 | Hyundai Grandeur XG | 54,249 | -11% | 60,691 | 6 |
| 7 | SsangYong Musso | 42,229 | 18% | 35,801 | 16 |
| 8 | SsangYong Rexton | 40,343 | -15% | 47,262 | 10 |
| 9 | Kia Carnival | 36,164 | -44% | 64,321 | 5 |
| 10 | Daewoo Matiz | 34,128 | -17% | 41,017 | 12 |
| 11 | Hyundai Trajet XG | 33,295 | 5% | 31,685 | 18 |
| 12 | Daewoo Lacetti | 33,223 | 693% | 4,189 | 34 |
| 13 | Kia Optima | 31,817 | -34% | 48,032 | 9 |
| 14 | SsangYong Korando | 30,813 | -23% | 39,793 | 13 |
| 15 | Samsung SM3 | 29,878 | 87% | 16,016 | 24 |
| 16 | Kia Carens | 25,429 | -56% | 58,137 | 7 |
| 17 | Hyundai Terracan | 21,967 | -40% | 36,325 | 15 |
| 18 | Daewoo Rezzo | 18,164 | -57% | 41,938 | 11 |
| 19 | Daewoo Magnus | 17,060 | -30% | 24,466 | 19 |
| 20 | Kia X-Trek | 14,750 | new | 0 | - |
| 21 | Hyundai Verna | 14,428 | -59% | 34,767 | 17 |
| 22 | Kia Spectra | 14,397 | -62% | 38,235 | 14 |
| 23 | Hyundai Click | 14,026 | -23% | 18,122 | 21 |
| 24 | Hyundai Equus | 13,983 | -18% | 16,984 | 23 |
| 25 | Daewoo Kalos | 13,474 | -25% | 17,961 | 22 |
| 26 | Kia Opirus | 13,098 | new | 0 | - |
| 27 | SsangYong Chairman | 11,791 | 2% | 11,574 | 26 |
| 28 | Kia Visto | 8,218 | -35% | 12,720 | 25 |
| 29 | Kia Rio | 7,844 | -60% | 19,837 | 20 |
| 30 | Hyundai Galloper | 5,730 | -45% | 10,483 | 28 |
| 31 | Kia Cerato | 4,379 | new | 0 | - |
| 32 | Hyundai Tuscani | 4,057 | -56% | 9,178 | 30 |
| 33 | Hyundai Dynasty | 3,975 | -42% | 6,866 | 31 |
| 34 | Hyundai Lavita | 3,741 | -64% | 10,381 | 29 |
| 35 | Kia Retona | 1,392 | -56% | 3,182 | 37 |
Source: KAMA, many thanks to Pedro for sharing the data!
