South Korea October 2017: Facelifted Hyundai Sonata up 31% in market down 11%

The facelift allows the Hyundai Sonata a welcome sales boost.

* See the Top 6 local brands and Top 60 models by clicking on the title *

Sales of local vehicles in South Korea are down 11% year-on-year in October to 112.729 units, leading the year-to-date tally to a very stable state: down 0.04% to 1.277.432. Market leader Hyundai goes against the grain with a 11% improvement to 45.5% share vs. 43.8% so far this year, and its luxury arm Genesis shoots up 79% thanks to the arrival of the G70, up 148% on its inaugural month in September. But all other carmakers decline: Kia is down 6%, Ssangyong down 22% and Renault Samsung down 46% while the crisis deepens for GM Korea with talks of a withdrawal of South Korea fuelling a 5$% freefall and the second consecutive month below 10.000 units, a feat that had not happened in at least a decade.

The new G70 enables Genesis to soar 79% year-on-year. 

Over in the models ranking, the Hyundai Grandeur is approaching a complete year of domination of the Korean charts with an 11th consecutive month in pole position and sales up 143% year-on-year. The Porter (+10%) and Sonata (+31%) make the podium 100% Hyundai, the latter being boosted by a new facelifted variant. Below, the Kia Sorento (-5%), Hyundai Avante (-22%), Kia Morning (-12%) and Carnival (-21%) all lose significant ground. The Hyundai Kona has, disappointingly, already hit its full potential with deliveries down 29% on last month to fall to 10th place overall, 2nd best-selling SUV in the country below the Hyundai Santa Fe but remaining above ts direct competitor the Ssangyong Tivoli (-32%). Its twin the Kia Stonic is hit even harder at -44% to just above 1.000 units. The Kia Stinger has stabilised around 750 monthly sales.

Previous month: South Korea September 2017: Kia Sorento hits record in market up 20%

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

Full October 2017 Top 6 local brands and Top 60 models below.