Hyundai Motor Company Falls, Kia Corporation Rises..."April Sales Down 8.0% and Up 1.0%, Respectively"

\r\n[The Financial News] Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation reported that their global sales in April fell 8.0% and rose 1.0%, respectively, from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor Company posted weak results in both the domestic and overseas markets, while Kia Corporation turned in mixed performance on strong sales at home. Hyundai Motor Company plans to expand sales through more new model launches, while Kia Corporation aims to sustain momentum with its eco-friendly lineup.
\r\n\r\n\r\nHyundai Motor Company said on the 4th that it sold 325,589 vehicles worldwide in April, down 8.0% from the same month last year. That included 54,051 units in South Korea and 271,538 overseas. Compared with a year earlier, domestic sales fell 19.9% and overseas sales dropped 5.1%. Cumulative overseas sales for January through April came to 1,088,693 units, down 2.9% from a year earlier.
In the domestic market, sedan sales totaled 18,326 units, including 6,622 Grandeurs, 5,754 Sonatas and 5,475 Elantras. In the recreational vehicle segment, the company sold 19,284 units, led by 3,422 Palisades, 3,902 Santa Fes, 3,858 Tucsons, 2,559 Konas and 1,142 Caspers.
The Porter sold 4,843 units and the Staria 3,039 units, while medium and large buses and trucks totaled 1,562 units. Genesis, Hyundai Motor Company’s luxury brand, sold 6,868 vehicles, including 2,523 G80s, 1,693 GV80s and 2,068 GV70s.
A Hyundai Motor Company official said, "Last month, production of key models such as the Palisade and G80 fell because of supply disruptions at partner suppliers, and sales also declined due to waiting demand for new models." The official added, "Starting with the Grandeur facelift, we will roll out a large number of new models with strong product competitiveness this year and expand sales."
\r\n\r\n\r\nKia Corporation said it sold 277,188 vehicles in the global market in April, up 1.0% from a year earlier. That included 55,045 units in South Korea, 221,692 overseas and 451 special-purpose vehicles. Compared with the same period last year, domestic sales rose 7.9%, while overseas sales fell 0.7%.
By model, the Sportage was the best-selling vehicle globally with 51,458 units, followed by the Seltos with 28,377 and the Sorento with 22,843.
In South Korea, the Sorento was the top seller with 12,078 units. Passenger car sales totaled 13,441 units, led by the Ray with 4,877, the K5 with 2,366 and the K8 with 1,461. RV sales reached 35,877 units, including 4,995 Carnivals, 4,972 Sportages and 3,898 EV3s. Commercial vehicle sales totaled 5,727 units, including 2,262 PV5s and 3,335 Bongo III units.
The Sportage was also Kia Corporation’s best-selling model overseas, with 46,486 units. It was followed by the Seltos with 24,797 units and the K4 with 18,654.
A Kia Corporation official said, "Sales in the Middle East and Africa region declined somewhat due to geopolitical risks in the Middle East, but sales in overseas markets excluding the Middle East and domestic sales continue to be strong." The official added, "We will maintain sales momentum by leading with eco-friendly vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid SUVs." 
eastcold@fnnews.com Kim Dong-chan Reporter