South Korea February 2017: Hyundai Grandeur cements leadership

The Hyundai Grandeur is the best-selling nameplate in South Korea for the third month running.

* See the Top 5 All local brands and Top 55 local models by clicking on the title *

Sales of local models in South Korea are up 8% year-on-year in February to 119.612 units, lifting the year-to-date tally up half that at +4% to 225.821 given January sales were stable. Market leaders Hyundai (+6%) and Kia (+0.1%) continue to lose market share at home but still account for a staggering 76.1% of all local sales (foreign marques excluded). General Motors Korea (aka Chevrolet) drops 2% but remains a strong third with 9.4% share while Ssangyong (+16%) is back above Renault Samsung, the latter delivering by far the largest year-on-year improvement among local brands at +88%. Genesis is a disaster at home: -51% in February and -60% year-to-date.

Kia Carnival sales are up 44% year-on-year in February, the 2nd largest increase in the Top 10.

Model-wise, the Hyundai Grandeur confirms it is now the country’s favourite nameplate with a third consecutive monthly win and third consecutive five-digit sales figure at 10.913, up a gargantuan 182% on the previous generation a year ago. Hyundai monopolises the podium with the Porter (+8%) and Avante (-7%) followed by the Kia Morning (+7%) and the Hyundai Santa Fe back up 11 spots on last month to #5. The Kia Bongo (+30%), Carnival (+44%) and SSangyong Tivoli (+42%) also post spectacular gains inside the Top 10. Further down, the Samsung SM6 (aka Renault Talisman) celebrates one year in market at #13, the Chevrolet Malibu is up 5-fold on a year ago to #16 thanks to the new model

Previous month: South Korea January 2017: Hyundai Grandeur confirms top spot

One year ago: South Korea January-March 2016: Genesis EQ900 and Samsung SM6 hit bullseye

Full February 2017 Top 5 All local brands and Top 55 models below.