Ssangyong, Renault lead sales growth

Ssangyong Motor and Renault Samsung Motors have taken the lead in vehicle sales growth in August, surpassing competitors Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and GM Korea.

Ssangyong Motor saw its sales surge 54.6 percent in August from a year earlier on the back of brisk exports and steady domestic demand.

It sold a record 10,100 vehicles last month, compared with 6,534 units a year earlier. Domestic sales rose 37 percent on-year to 3,433 units with exports shooting up 65.5 percent to 6,667 units.

The carmaker, an affiliate of Indian sport utility vehicle maker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., also said sales topped the 10,000-unit mark for the sixth straight month in August.

Renault Samsung Motors reported 44.7 percent year-on-year growth last month.

The company said it sold 27,328 vehicles in August, compared with 18,889 units sold in the same month last year.

Its exports rose 86.0 percent to 8,736 units with local sales gaining 9.1 percent from a year earlier to 11,075 units.

Kia Motors’ sales rose 27 percent from a year earlier as a surge in overseas sales offset decreased domestic demand.

The company sold 191,232 vehicles overall last month, compared with 150,526 vehicles a year earlier. Domestic sales decreased 5.2 percent on-year to 36,611 units last month, but exports shot up 38.2 percent to 154,621 units.

GM Korea saw its sales climb 12.9 percent. It sold 54,444 vehicles last month, compared with 48,211 units a year earlier.

The figure, however, represents an 18.4 percent drop from 66,681 units in July.

Hyundai Motor recorded 5.1 percent in growth with sales of 307,320 units with domestic sales moving up 4 percent to 51,322 units.

The carmaker also said overseas sales rose 5.3 percent on-year to 255,998 units. Total overseas sales includes cars made in Korea and foreign assembly plants.

By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)