South Korea November 2024: Renault Grand Koleos breaks into Top 5

The Grand Koleos accounts for 90% of Renault Korea sales in November.

November new light vehicle sales disappoint in South Korea at -8.1% to 147,577. This includes 123,793 domestic manufacturers (-6.4%) and 23,784 foreigners (-16%). Year-to-date volumes are down an equally unimpressive -6.7% to 1,489,973 including 1,250,209 locals (-6.5%) and 239,764 foreigners (-7.5%). Hyundai (-14.6%) holds the brands top spot for the 4th straight month, widening the gap with sister brand Kia (-4.2%) to almost 21,000 units year-to-date. Genesis (+0.6%) is stable at #3, selling over 10,000 units for the 13th consecutive month. Meanwhile Renault Korea surges 289.4% to #4 thanks to a single model. BMW (-5.2%), Mercedes (-28%) and Tesla (+1.5%) follow and top the foreigners charts. Further down, Lamborghini (+84.8%), Land Rover (+38.7%), Rolls Royce (+36.4%) and Lexus (+15.8%) impress.

Looking at domestic models, the Kia Sorento (+11.4%) signs its 8th win of the year and cements its year-to-date domination. The nameplate is above the 10,000 unit mark for the first time since September 2023 and reaches its highest volume in over 4 years: since the 11,596 units it sold in June 2020. The Hyundai Santa Fe (-13.7%) climbs up to 2nd place despite a harsh year-on-year loss, it distances the Kia Carnival (+28.3%) rallying back up five spots on last month to #3. The Hyundai Sonata (+36%) for its part is back up 7 ranks to #4. The event of the month is in 5th place: the Renault Korea Grand Koleos confirms it is an instant blockbuster with over 6,500 sales and is the first Renault model to rank inside the Korean Top 5 since the QM6 did so in December 2019.

As for foreign models, the Tesla Model Y (-13.9%) reclaims the top spot for the first time since last June but is stuck in third place year-to-date. The BMW 5 Series (+8.3%) stays in second place, overtaking last month’s leader the Mercedes E Class (-39%). Outstanding results for the Mercedes G Class (+305.5%), GLC (+70.2%) and BMW X5 (+41.6%).

Previous month: South Korea October 2024: Kia Seltos breaks record, Renault Grand Koleos inside Top 10

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

Full November 2024 Top 30 All brands, Top 55 All domestic models and Top 50 foreign models below.