South Korea November 2016: New Hyundai Grandeur shoots up to #3

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 30 All-brands, Top 55 All-local models and Top 140 foreigners *

Sales of local nameplates in South Korea are down 0.3% year-on-year in November to 164.172 units, a drop solely attributable to the poor performance of foreign brands (-19%) just as local manufacturers gain 2%. Year-to-date, the South Korean market is also up 0.3% to 1.628.203 units with local brands up 1% and foreigners down 6%. The main explanation for the recent weakness of foreign carmakers is the stop-sale order inflicted to Volkswagen (zero sale in November) and the quasi-totality of the Audi range (-88%). At the top, Hyundai continues to struggle at -14% to 55.721 deliveries and 33.9% share, while sister brand Kia is less affected at -2% to 48.906 and 29.8%. Local gains are in fact the work of smaller brands: GM Korea is up a splendid 51% to 10.5% share while Renault Samsung shoots up 109% to 7.7% vs. 6% year-to-date (+39%). Ssangyong is also in positive at +5% while Genesis remains stuck below 1.000 monthly units. Among foreigners, Mercedes (+66%), BMW (+27%) and Lexus (+52%) take advantage of Audi’s crippling, with Toyota (+60%), Ford (+71%) and Jeep (+76%) also doing particularly well.

The Kia Morning is the best-selling nameplate in South Korea in November. 

In the models ranking, the Kia Morning gains 4 spots on October and 13% year-on-year to snap the top spot for the first time since November 2014 ahead of the Hyundai Porter (+4%) resuming its YTD domination due to a slow month by the Hyundai Avante (-23%). The big event atop the South Korean ranking this month is the third position of the Hyundai Grandeur. Although down 2% year-on-year, this is in fact a 14 spot-jump on last month thanks to the new 2017 model just launched (see launch TV ad atop this article). The Grandeur competes with the tremendously successful Samsung SM6 – aka Renault Talisman – down one spot in November to #10. Impressive performers this month also include the Chevrolet Spark (+46%), Hyundai Genesis (+90%), Kia K7 (+95%), Chevrolet Trax (+124%) and Malibu (+389%). The Samsung QM6 – aka Renault Koleos – is down 7 ranks to #19. The Mercedes E-Class (+98%), BMW 5 Series (+121%), 3 Series (+9%), Mercedes C Class (+24%) and Lexus ES (+27%) are the most popular foreign models this month.

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

One year ago: South Korea November 2015: Tivoli hits highest Ssangyong ranking in 11 years

Full November 2016 Top 30 All-brands, Top 55 All-local models and Top 140 foreigners below.