South Korea November 2022: Kia places 4 models in Top 5, Carnival scores 2nd ever top spot
The Kia Carnival is the best-selling vehicle in South Korea in November.
The South Korean new light vehicle market is up 7.5% year-on-year in November to 155,379 units, and this increase is entirely due to foreigners up a whopping 53.3% to 28,222 and 18.2% share. Locals edge up only 0.8% to 127,157 and 81.8% share. The year-to-date tally remains in negative at -3.2% to 1,510,745 sales including 1,256,950 locals (-3.9%) and 253.795 foreigners (+0.8%). In the brands ranking, Kia (+13.4%) is the best-seller for the 6th time this year but stays in 2nd place year-to-date below Hyundai (-7.5%), toppled to #2 for the month. Genesis (-1.2%) edges down but manages a five-digit volume for the 2nd month in a row. Mercedes (+118.2%) and BMW (+72.8%) post gigantic year-on-year gains to round out the Top 5. Volvo (+98.6%) is also euphoric and rallies back up 8 spots on October to #8, the brand’s first Top 10 finish since last June.
The Kia Carnival (+122.8%) more than doubles its sales year-on-year to secure its second ever monthly pole position after October 2020. It however is stuck at #5 in the YTD ladder. The Hyundai Porter (-3.7%) decelerates to #2 but easily keeps the YTD lead with almost 22,000 sales more than the #2. The Kia Sorento (+35.8%), Bongo (+0.6%) and Sportage (-23.6%) make it four Kias in the Top 5 for what is believed to be the first time in South Korean history. The Hyundai Casper (+40.6%) and Kia Ray (+35.3%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10, while the Hyundai Ioniq 6 misses out on a first Top 10 finish once again by ranking #11. The Hyundai Grandeur (-45.7%) freefalls due to a generation changeover with the new model accounting for 27% of its November volume. Hyundai has set a high target of 119,000 units for the Full Year 2022 which will require an average of almost 10,000 monthly sales and ensure the nameplate the top spot.
Over in the foreign models ranking, the Top 4 all lodge surreal gains, with the Mercedes E-Class up 463.8% year-on-year to stay in the top spot ahead of the BMW 5 Series (+154.7%). The Volvo S90 (+352.8%) leaps from outside the October Top 50 directly into third place, by far the nameplate’s highest ranking in South Korea so far. The VW Tiguan (+189.8%) is up 10 spots on last month to #4 with the Mercedes S-Class (+7.2%) closing out the Top 5. The Tesla Model Y (+139.9%) is back up to #6 ahead of the BMW X3 (+243.6%) and a struggling Audi A6 (-42%). Notice also the Mercedes C-Class (+469.2%), Porsche Cayenne (+411.9%) and Volvo XC90 (+860.7%) shooting up below.
Previous month: South Korea October 2022: Hyundai Porter and Kia Bongo lead, Hyundai Ioniq 6 just misses out on Top 10
One year ago: South Korea November 2021: Kia Sportage takes charge in market off -15.5%
Full November 2022 Top 30 all brands, Top 55 all local models and Top 50 foreigners below.
