South Korea October 2016: Samsung QM6 outsells Tucson, Sportage and Santa Fe

It’s a Samsung invasion in South Korea.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 30 All-brands, Top 55 All-local models and Top 130 foreigners *

147.271 cars found a buyer in South Korea in October – a paltry 10% year-on-year drop –  with the slump in local fares (-13%) partly compensated by foreigners up a vigorous 18%. The year-to-date tally remains in positive at +1% to 1.464.031 units. This time local manufacturers (+3%) are handicapped by a foreigners dry patch (-20%). Hyundai remains in the lead despite an abysmal 32% freefall to 46.221 sales and 31.4% share, ahead of Kia down 14% to 27.2% and GM Korea up 14% to 11.4%. The local winner this month is Renault Samsung up a stunning 89% to 13.254 registrations, now outselling Ssangyong year-to-date for 4th place overall. Among foreigners, both Mercedes and BMW surge 72%, Lexus is up 55%, Honda up 595%, Mini up 29% and Nissan up 45%.

The Hyundai Avante is now #1 YTD at home. 

This performance has everything to do with the brand’s latest two launches: the SM6 (aka Renault Talisman) brilliantly remains inside the Top 10 with 5.091 sales while the QM6 (aka Renault Koleos) jumps up 8 spots on its inaugural ranking in September to land at #12, outselling the Hyundai Tucson (#13), Kia Sportage (#14) and Hyundai Santa Fe (#15) down from #1 last month. The QM6 indeed already ranks #3 SUV at home below the Kia Sorento (#3) and Ssangyong Tivoli breaking its ranking record at #7. In other models news, the Hyundai Avante (78.253) snaps the YTD pole position off the Hyundai Porter (78.115).

The Cadillac XT5 has landed in South Korea. 

Over in the foreigners aisle, the Mercedes E-Class surges 149% to 3.887 sales which would place it well inside the general Top 20. The BMW 5 Series does even better, exactly tripling its sales year-on-year to 2.964. Far below, the BMW 3 Series (+81%), Mercedes C Class (-8%) and Lexus ES (+17%) complete the Top 5. The Honda Accord surges to #6, the Nissan Altima to #8, the Mini Clubman to #13 vs. #27 YTD, the Mercedes GLE to #14, Toyota Prius to #15, Lexus NX to #17 vs. #44 so far in 2016 and BMW X1 to #19 vs. #54. Notice also the Volvo XC90 at #32, the Honda HR-V at #47, while we welcome the Mercedes GLS at #92 and the Cadillac XT5 at #122. Hit by stop-sale orders affecting its entire lineup, Volkswagen only manages to see 30 units this month – all Touaregs.

Previous month: South Korea September 2016: Santa Fe leads, Samsung QM6 in Top 20

One year ago: South Korea October 2015: New Kia Sportage in Top 5

Full October 2016 Top 30 All-brands, Top 55 All-local models and Top 130 foreigners below.