SUV, wagon and minivan sales spike on increased leisure

Annual sales of recreational vehicles in South Korea nearly doubled over the past six years, driven by the growing popularity of cars designed for outdoor and leisure activities, industry data showed Thursday.

Last year, carmakers sold 407,880 RVs, including sport utility vehicles, wagons and minivans, compared with about 208,000 units tallied in 2008, according to the data.

The spike is attributable to increasing demand for vehicles that provide more space for equipment and driving comfort for traveling, outdoor and leisure activities.

Sales of SUVs, in particular, jumped 15.1 percent on-year to 333,377 units last year, exceeding the 300,000 mark for the first time. Minivan sales also expanded 12.9 percent to 74,503 units.

Kia Motors Co., the country's second-largest automaker, led the RV market here with strong sales of its all-new Carnival and Sorento, selling 142,169 RVs last year.

Hyundai Motor Co. came next with 132,801 units, followed by Ssangyong Motor Co. with 66,339 units.

Hyundai Motor's Santa Fe was the best-seller in the RV market with 77,689 units sold last year. Kia Motors' Sportage R ranked second with sales of 47,729 units, the data showed.

RVs accounted for 33.6 percent of passenger car sales last year, the highest-ever ratio. Midsize vehicles came in second with 17 percent, trailed by compact and city cars with 16.1 percent and 15.4 percent, the data showed. (Yonhap)