Korea's Sept. auto sales up over 20% on year both at home and abroad

Sales of five Korea-based finished carmakers grew by double digits both at home and abroad against a year ago in September on improving parts conditions and new car releases.

The five automakers – Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Corp., GM Korea Co., Renault Korea Motors Co. and SsangYong Motor Co. – shipped a combined 658,852 cars in September, gaining 21.1 percent from a year ago, according to individual companies Tuesday.

Domestic deliveries rose 23.8 percent on year to 113,656 units, and outbound shipments up 20.5 percent to 545,196 units.

Hyundai Motor delivered total 355,040 units last month. Its domestic sales added 29.8 percent to 56,910 units thanks to robust demand for newest all-electric Ioniq 6 sedan. Overseas sales grew 23.4 percent to 298,130 units.

Hyundai Motor will focus to sustain profitability with new releases like Grandeur and optimize production and sales strategies as shipment conditions remain unstable, the company said.

Kia’s September auto shipments totaled 249,146 units, increasing more than 10 percent both at home and abroad. Domestic sales climbed 11.8 percent to 40,009 units, and exports gained 10.9 percent to 209,137 units. Sportage SUV sold the largest 42,168 units.

GM Korea shipped 24,422 vehicles last month, soaring 77.6 percent on year and extending the growth streak for three consecutive months. Outbound shipments surged 106.6 percent to 20,410 units on solid demand for Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore, and sales at home rose 3.6 percent 4,012 units.

Renault Korea Motors sold 18,922 units in total, up 28.3 percent on year. Domestic sales jumped 27.8 percent to 5,050 units, and exports 34.1 percent to 13,872 units.

SsangYong Motor under new owner KG Group reported its September sales nearly doubled to total 11,322 units. It sold 7,675 units at home, the largest in 21 months with a surge of 98.9 percent on year. Outbound shipments jumped 74.4 percent to 3,647 units.

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