[AutoDaily] In January, domestic sales of all five Korean automakers had rapidly decreased. Last end-year, they had excessively engaged in promotional activities, and then this competition turned into sharp drop sales.
Korean five companies sold 740,705 units, it decreased by 0.2% on world market last January. On domestic market, they did 106,343 units, decreased by 13.9%, and compared last December sales. The sales of export and oversea factory (exception CKD) climbed by 2.5% against last month, it was 634,362 units.
The major four companies were slack, except Hyundai. The sales of Kia and GM Korea were down by 7,000 units just for a month. The Ssangyoung’s sales also fell down by 1,000 units. The sales volumes of Renault Samsung which took advantage QM3 syndrome last end-year drastically dropped in half.
In contrast with other 4 companies, the Hyundai’s sales is outstanding. Even January has New Year’s holiday, it caused three days working day short. The company had sold 51,525 units which were increased of 2.7% compared with the previous month. When others had keen competition last December, only Hyundai did back off, then now the company got profits from this.
New Genesis launched last January and then started to sell itself. Its sales volumes have risen by more than threefold. Moreover, the Grandeur had sold 8,234 units including hybrid model (1,156 units), it recorded the best-selling car in January. The SUV part also increased rapidly by 21.9% compared to last December such as Santa Fe (7,160 units), Tucson ix (3,501 units), and Max Cruise (920 units).
Compare to last year, the first result of New Year looks totally different before. The sales of Hyundai had decreased by 4% in domestic market. The Hyundai sales growth had depressed because the foreign affiliate company like GM Korea, Ssangyoung, and Renault Samsung implemented aggressive marketing strategy and the Hyundai struggled quality problems themselves. Relatively the GM Korea and Ssangyoung marked the maximum sales record in Korean market since 2002 on the 11 years.
It will receive attention that the competition between Hyundai·Kia motor and the big three foreign affiliate companies this year.
Meanwhile, all five Korean automakers marked 2.5% growth in January. The sale of Hyundai·Kia oversea factory product led a whole result. Since last year, Hyundai·Kia less down Korean factory product, than they are spurring to operate new factory like the one in China.
The export result of GM Korea and Renault Samsung had two-digit down.
Every month, the GM Korea had bad result in export part. The sales performance about most of automobile except Trax is decreasing in European market. According to withdraw Chevolet brand from European market, they lost a scale about annual 180 thousand units market. The company also covered a major restricting and reshuffle.
The export sales of Renault Samsung are down, too. Consequently Renault new factory in Wuhan Shi in China start to operate, they will lose major export market. The Nissan new Rogue will produce for exporting North America from the later half of this year, and a consignment production of the Mitsubishi medium sedan will start soon. These procedures will make them expect to improve expert result.
By Shin Seungyoung.
(Translate by Lee Yeseul)