Global sales by South Korean carmakers rise on overseas demand

Global auto sales by South Korean carmakers rose last month on the back of strong demand from overseas customers, industry data showed Thursday. The country's five automakers, including Hyundai, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Samsung and Ssangyong, sold a total of 742,372 vehicles in April, up 7.7 percent from a year earlier. The car sales increased 2.1 percent from a month ago. The brisk sales were attributable to robust demand for South Korean brands in overseas markets. Overseas sales by the five companies gained 9 percent from a year earlier to 623,543 units in April. Hyundai Motor, the country's top carmaker, sold a total of 349, 301 vehicles in the overseas market last month, up 10.5 percent from a year earlier. Exports of cars manufactured in domestic factories sank 15.9 percent, but sales of cars assembled in overseas plants jumped 25.3 percent due to a rise in production in Chinese and Brazilian plants. Overseas auto sales by Kia Motors rose 10.2 percent on-year to 212,135 units in April, and exports by Ssangyong Motor jumped 18.7 percent. Local sales by the carmakers increased 0.9 percent from a year earlier to 118,829 units in April. Hyundai ranked first in terms of market share with a 49.1 percent share, followed by Kia with 34. 1 percent, GM Korea with 8.6 percent, Ssangyong with 4.3 percent and Renault Samsung with 3.8 percent respectively.