South Korea September 2013: Hyundai Avante at highest in 2 years

Hyundai Avante

* See the Top 5 brands and Top 50 All-local models by clicking on the title! *

Sales of new local models in South Korea are down a harsh 13% year-on-year in September to just 101,021, to which you should add around 13 to 15,000 imports, counted separately here. Year-to-date the market for local cars is now in negative at -0.2% to 1,010,395. Thanks to its mid-life facelift, the Hyundai Avante (aka Elantra) is by far the most popular model in the country this month with an excellent 9,185 sales and 9.1%, the nameplate’s highest market share in two years, since October 2011! This performance makes the Avante jump from #5 year-to-date last month to #2 now with 69,514 units, only 123 off the Kia Morning (aka Picanto) for whom its should be the last stint as YTD lead even though it delivers another very robust month at #2 and 7.4%.

Chevrolet Spark EV

The Hyundai Sonata is up one spot on August to #3 at 6,781 units and 6.7%, it also passes the Hyundai Grandeur year-to-date to rank #3 while the Hyundai Porter goes from #3 to #5 in the 2013 ranking. Lots of changes indeed, but that’s because the whole Top 5 was within inches of each other in the last few months. Notice also the solid showings of the Chevrolet Spark up to #6 with 5,514 sales and 5.5% vs. 4.4% year-to-date,  the Kia Sorento stable at a very satisfying 14th place with 2.6% share vs. #17 and 2.1% year-to-date and the Chevrolet Cruze up to #18 and 2% vs. #23 and 1.3% year-to-date.

Previous month: South Korea August 2013: Hyundai Avante #1 for first time this year

One year ago: South Korea September 2012: Kia K3 lands directly at #10

Full September 2013 Top 5 brands and Top 50 All-local models Ranking Tables below.