South Korea November 2023: Kia Sorento threepeats at #1, Tesla Model Y #1 foreigner

The Kia Sorento is the best-selling vehicle in South Korea for the third month ever.

The South Korean new light vehicle market advances 3.4% year-on-year in November to 160,624 units, including 132,231 (+4.1%) for domestic carmakers and 28,303 (+0.3%) for foreigners. The year-to-date volume is up 5.7% to 1,596,840 including 1,337,560 locals (+6.4%) and 259,280 foreigners (+2.2%). Hyundai (+24%) single handedly pulls the entire market up and scores a 38.1% share vs. 36.6% year-to-date. It is the first time in 40 months (since July 2020) that Hyundai passes the 60,000 monthly units mark. Kia (-3.6%) and Genesis (-6.3%) complete the podium in weak fashion, with the next three carmakers also in negative: Mercedes is at -7.3%, BMW at -2.5% and KG Mobility at -21.2%. Tesla is now included in the brands ranking and points at #7. Peugeot (+100%), Toyota (+78.8%), GM Korea (+46.6%) and Lexus (+42.4%) post the best performances in the market. 

In the domestic models ranking, the Kia Sorento (+40.7%) is the overall best-seller for the third consecutive month and the third time ever thanks to its recent facelift. The Hyundai Porter (+31.8%) is also in great shape and stays at #2 with the Hyundai Santa Fe (+206.6%) pushed up by the new generation. Note hybrid variants account for 79% of Santa Fe sales this month. The Hyundai Grandeur (+112.6%) is in the same position and holds onto the YTD pole position. The Hyundai Sonata (+30.9%) is the only remaining double-digit gainer in the Top 10 while the Kia Sportage (+3.8%) matches the market and the Kia Carnival (-22.6%), #1 a year ago, freefalls. The Hyundai Kona (+363.1%), Venue (+79.6%), Genesis GV80 (+75%), Hyundai Tucson (+38.6%) and Kia Seltos (+28.9%) also shine below. The new KG Mobility Torres EVX is up to #25.

Over in the foreign models charts, the Tesla Model Y (+250.7%) takes the lead, toppling the Mercedes E Class (+30.6%). The BMW 5 Series (-19%) returns to the podium despite a harsh year-on-year fall. The Mercedes S Class (-25.3%) also struggles but climbs back up three spots on October to #4. The next five models all deliver solid runs, with the BMW X7 posting an extravagant 29250% year-on-year gain at #7. The BMW 7 Series (+343.1%) and Volvo XC60 (+281.7%) also skyrocket while the Lexus ES (+28.6%) and Mercedes GLE (+20.7%) are more modest yet still very strong.

Previous month: South Korea October 2023: Hyundai defies negative market, Kia Sorento #1 again, Hyundai Santa Fe #3

One year ago: South Korea November 2022: Kia places 4 models in Top 5, Carnival scores 2nd ever top spot

Full November 2023 Top 32 All brands, Top 55 All local models and Top 50 foreigners below.