South Korea February 2020: Hyundai (-26.7%), Ssangyong (-32.7%) hit by coronavirus spread, market down -19.6%

As of March 6, South Korea is the 2nd country in the world most affected by the coronavirus.

17/03 update: Now with Top 10 foreign models.

The coronavirus outbreak, which has infected 6.284 South Koreans (the most in any nation outside China) and killed 40 as of March 6, has had a double impact on the South Korean new car market in February, both idling a number of local factories (Hyundai and Renault Samsung notably) because of a parts shortage and reducing dealership traffic in fear of contagion. As a result, new car sales are down an abysmal -19.6% year-on-year in February to just 98.447 units and down -17% YTD to 214.215, and local carmakers are the only ones affected at -23.3% to 81.722 for the month vs. +5.3% to 16.725 sales of foreign brands. Namely Ssangyong (-32.7%), Hyundai (-26.7%), Renault Samsung (-25.4%), Genesis (-23%) and to a lesser extent Kia (-13.7%) and GM Korea (-3.8%) all skid down. In contrast, Volkswagen (+1045.2%), Lamborghini (+157.1%), Bentley (+142.9%), Citroen (+116.7%), BMW (+62.9%), Mercedes (+33.3%), Volvo (+22.1%), Mini (+21.7%), Ford (+17.8%) and Rolls Royce (+12.5%) all post stellar scores.

Hyundai idled local factories due to coronavirus-related parts shortages.

Over in the local models ranking, the Hyundai Porter pickup (+15.9%) snaps the top spot for the first time since last July, distancing the Hyundai Grandeur (-2.2%) and Sonata (-11.6%) while the renewed Kia K4 (+56%) surges year-on-year but drops two spots on January to #2. The Kia K7 (+28.1%) and Samsung QM6 (+15%) also shine in the Top 10 while the Kia Seltos (#8) continues to be the most popular recent launch (<12 months), just as the Genesis GV80 (#22) gears up 15 spots on its inaugural month and the Chevrolet Trailblazer lands at #33, both surpassing the Hyundai Venue (#34), Chevrolet Colorado (#38) and Traverse (#39). The Ssangyong Korando (+352.8%) and Kia Mohave (+245%) also deliver fantastic gains.

Previous month: South Korea January 2020: Hyundai Grandeur #1, Genesis GV80 lands in market down a steep -14.7%

One year ago: South Korea February 2019: Hyundai monopolises Top 6 for the first time in at least 7 years, Palisade holds at #4

Full February 2020 Top 30 All-brands, Top 54 All local models and Top 10 foreign models below.