South Korea January 2012: Hyundai Sonata and Kia Ray shine

Kia Ray

* See the Top 40 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

South Korean consumers bought 96,448 new local vehicles in January. After 7 consecutive months in pole position, the Hyundai Avante (aka Elantra) drops down to #2 this month with 7,255 sales and 7.5%, passed by the Hyundai Sonata at 7,619 units and 7.9%. It is the first time in nearly 2 years that the Sonata tops the South Korean models ranking. In fact the entire Top 4 is 100% Hyundai with the Grandeur ranking #3 with 6,984 sales and 7.2% and the Porter at #4 and 6.2%.

Hyundai Sonata

After 4 Hyundais we find 4 Kias: the Morning (aka Picanto) is 5th at 6%, followed by the K5 (aka Optima) at 5.8%. The 7th place is a little event: launched last month, the Kia Ray manages to break into the Top 10 for its first full month of sales in the country with 4,496 units sold for a 4.7% market share. An excellent start for the all-new model that could become a staple in the Kia range. A good month for the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, respectively #8 and #10.

Further down the ranking, notice the new generation Hyundai i30 up 6 spots on December to #19, the new SsangYong Korando Sports landing directly #23 and best-selling SsangYong with 1,478 sales and 1.5% and the Hyundai i40 up 11 ranks to a best-ever 33rd position.

Previous month: South Korea December 2011: Kia Ray directly #12, Hyundai i30 up

One year ago: South Korea January 2011: New Hyundai Grandeur up to #6

Full January 2012 Top 40 Ranking Table below.