Hyundai Motor sales hit monthly high

Hyundai Motor, the nation’s largest carmaker, logged its best monthly sales in October, with its global sales increasing by 13.9 percent to reach 412,189 vehicles.

It was the first time that the Korean auto giant has ever seen its monthly sales exceed the 400,000 mark, officials said.

The record sales came as Hyundai’s overseas production succeeded in meeting the growing demand globally, while the domestic car market also showed some sign of recovery.

In Korea, the company sold 61,486 vehicles, up 4.4 percent from the same period last year.

Even though its flagship sedans such as Avante, Sonata and Grandeur suffered a 7.3 percent decrease in sales, its sport utility vehicle sales more than doubled last month.

During the same period, Hyundai’s overseas car sales posted a 15.7 percent growth to reach 350,703 units, led by increased production in overseas plants in the U.S., China, Czech Republic and Russia.

“The global car market is expected to struggle in the second half due to slowing sales and fiercer competition amid concerns over the prolonged financial crisis in Europe,” the company said in a statement, pledging to enhance product quality.

Hyundai’s affiliate Kia Motors also saw a 9 percent increase in global sales last month despite some production loss following expansion work at its Guangzhou plant in China.

The carmaker sold 190,838 vehicles in overseas markets and 40,600 in Korea.

In Korea, the K3 new compact drove up overall car sales, selling 7,632 units. Its accumulated sales already exceeded the 10,000 mark just in two months after its release.

Kia’s overseas production also set a new record last month, with 24.5 percent growth to reach 110,705 units.

Production of Ceed and Santa Fe started at the Slovakia, Georgia and U.S., factories in August, while the K3 is gaining positive reviews in China where the production began last month.

GM Korea, the Korean unit of the U.S.-based General Motors, sold 66,629 vehicles last month, including 13,159 in Korea and 53,470 abroad.

The 19 percent growth in domestic sales was led by the Spark city car and the 2013 Malibu sedan, said the carmaker, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in Korea last week.

Renault Samsung Motors, the France-based carmaker, also showed a slight recovery in domestic sales last month, driven by the flagship SM5 sedan and the newly-launched SM3 compact.

Compared to a year ago, however, its October sales of 11,353 cars plunged 45 percent from the 20,651 from the same month last year.

Ssangyong Motor delivered 11,206 vehicles globally, with its domestic and overseas sales increasing 10.4 percent and 22.8 percent, respectively, from a year ago.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)