South Korea 2004: Hyundai Santa Fe takes control

Hyundai Santa Fe

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

After 5 consecutive years in pole position, the transition between two generations of Hyundai Sonata (EF to NF) is fatal for the nameplate: in 2004 the Hyundai Santa Fe is the most popular model in the country, but just: at 69,236 sales (-10%) it is only 664 units above the Hyundai Avante at 68,572 (-20%) and 3,326 above the Hyundai EF Sonata at 65,910 (-28%). However the new gen NF Sonata, launched in August this year, totals 31,023 sales at #9, which would still keep the Sonata nameplate in the top spot at 96,933 units (+5%)…

Kia Sportage

The Samsung SM5 is down one spot to #4 while the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Grandeur are stable at #5 and #6 respectively. Lots of newcomers this year: apart from the Hyundai NF Sonata, there is also the Hyundai Tucson landing at #8 with 32,311 sales, the new gen Kia Sportage at #12, the Kia Morning (aka Picanto) at #19, the SsangYong Rodius at #25 and the Samsung SM7 at #33. Notice also the Daewoo Matiz enjoying a second wind, up 32% to #7, the Kia Optima breaking into the year-end Top 10 for the first time at #10 and the Kia Cerato up 390% to #15.

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Full Year 2004 Top 40 Ranking Table below.