South Korea November 2017: Hyundai Grandeur holds ground at #1

The Hyundai Grandeur celebrates 12 consecutive months at #1 at home.

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

Sales of local vehicles in South Korea are down 3% year-on-year in November to 140.342 registrations, edging the year-to-date volume a little bit more into negative territory at -0.3% to 1.417.774 units. Market leader Hyundai goes against the grain with a 3% year-on-year increase to 41% share, albeit lower than the 43.5% it commands year-to-date. Kia is up 0.2% to 34.9% vs. 33.5% but GM Korea continues its freefall at -40% to 7.4%, however climbing back above 10.000 monthly sales. Renault Samsung (-34%) does almost as bad, while Ssangyong drops 7%. Hyundai’s new premium fare, Genesis, is finally spreading its wings at home: up 7-fold on October 2016 to 6.287 sales and 4.5% share vs. 1.3% so far this year, but this is mainly due to the Hyundai Genesis being renamed Genesis G80 for the launch of its new generation this month…

The Hyundai Genesis finally becomes the Genesis G80 at home. 

Model-wise, the Hyundai Grandeur celebrates one full year of domination of its home market, ending the month in pole position for the 12th consecutive time thanks to sales up 28% to 10.181. The Hyundai Porter (+8%) stays in 2nd place while the Kia Sorento (+27%) climbs onto the podium, knocking the Hyundai Sonata (+26%) down to #4. The Hyundai Tucson (+9%) is the best-selling SUV in the country above the Hyundai Santa Fe (-17%), both nameplates now outselling the Hyundai Kona, down one spot to #11 and seemingly already past its prime. It remains above its archenemy the Ssangyong Tivoli for a mere 26 sales. Its cousin the Kia Stonic is down three spots to a paltry 30th place, the Kia Stonic down four to #38 while the Genesis G70 is up four to #27.

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

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

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