South Korea November 2012: Facelifted Kia K7 up to #15

Kia K7

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

The South Korea new car market (excluding imports) is up a very healthy 12% year-on-year in November to 129,364 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,266,396, down 7% on 2011. The Hyundai Avante (aka Elantra) reclaims the pole position for the first time since last July and the 5th time in the last 12 months with 9,932 sales and 7.7%, reinforcing its 2012 leadership at 101,000 units and 8%. The Hyundai Sonata is down one spot on October to #2 with 8,997 sales and 7% and also ranks #2 in 2012 to-date at 94,346 units and 7.4%.

Hyundai Avante

For the third time in the last 12 months after last January and last October, the Top 4 most popular models in South Korea are all Hyundais: the Porter is at #3 with 8,360 sales and 6.5% and the Santa Fe at #4 with 8,122 units and 6.3%. The biggest performer this month is the Kia K7 (aka Cadenza), up 12 ranks on October thanks to its facelift to #15 with 3,148 sales and 2.4%, the model’s best ranking since March 2011, with its personal best remaining #11 with 4.005 units and 3.3% in July 2010.

Kia K3

Notice also the Kia K3 down one spot to #7 with 7,575 sales and 5.9%. It is now #20 year-to-date. Other great performers this month in South Korea include the Chevrolet Orlando up 3 ranks to #20, the Chevrolet Aveo up one to #31 vs. #38 year-to-date and the Chevrolet Captiva up 8 to #34 vs. #43 YTD.

Previous post: South Korea: 1997-2011 Historical Data now available!

Previous month: South Korea October 2012: Kia K3 up to 6th place

One year ago: South Korea November 2011: Chevrolet Malibu almost in Top 20

Full November 2012 Top 40 Ranking Table below.