The Grandeur-led comeback: Hyundai Motor Company reclaims the top spot in domestic sales

Hyundai Motor Company, which last month lost the No. 1 spot in domestic sales to Kia Corporation for the first time in 28 years since the 1998 Hyundai Motor Group integration, reclaimed the crown this month thanks to the strong performance of The New Grandeur and easing parts supply constraints. However, the two automakers saw mixed results in global sales, with Hyundai Motor Company down 7.7% year on year and Kia Corporation up 2.7%.

Hyundai Motor Company sold 325,473 vehicles worldwide in May, including 45,364 in South Korea and 280,109 overseas, down 7.7% from a year earlier. Compared with the same period last year, domestic sales fell 23.1% and overseas sales declined 4.6%.
In the domestic market, sedan sales totaled 14,876 units, led by 5,183 Hyundai Grandeur, 4,526 Hyundai Elantra, and 4,118 Hyundai Sonata. In the recreational vehicle segment, 15,799 units were sold, including 2,862 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2,575 Hyundai Ioniq 5, and 2,183 Hyundai Tucson. Small commercial vehicles totaled 6,312 units, with 4,270 Hyundai Porter and 1,912 Hyundai Staria sold, while medium and large buses and trucks reached 2,216 units. Genesis, Hyundai Motor Company's luxury brand, sold 6,161 vehicles, including 2,220 Genesis G80, 1,798 Genesis GV70, and 1,547 Genesis GV80.
Hyundai Motor Company lost the domestic lead to Kia Corporation last month because a fire at supplier Safety Industry disrupted parts deliveries and sharply reduced production of key models. Safety Industry had supplied 2.5-liter turbo engine valves used in major Hyundai Motor Company and Genesis models, and the fire hit production of high-margin vehicles such as the Genesis lineup and the Palisade hybrid particularly hard. This month, supply disruptions eased and deliveries of The New Grandeur picked up, allowing Hyundai Motor Company to pull ahead of Kia Corporation by 651 units.
A Hyundai Motor Company official said, "Production declines caused by parts supply disruptions at our suppliers continued this month, limiting the supply of key models." The official added, "As deliveries of The New Grandeur are now ramping up in earnest this month, we expect sales to gradually recover."

Kia Corporation sold 277,715 vehicles in the global market in May, including 44,713 in South Korea, 232,781 overseas, and 221 special-purpose vehicles, up 2.7% from a year earlier. Compared with the same period last year, domestic sales fell 0.6%, while overseas sales rose 3.4%.
In South Korea, Kia Sorento was the best-selling model with 7,836 units. Passenger car sales totaled 10,979 units, led by Kia Ray with 3,419, Kia K5 with 2,237, and Kia Picanto with 2,234. In the RV segment, Kia Sorento was joined by Kia Sportage with 4,760, Kia Carnival with 4,543, and Kia Seltos with 3,169, bringing total sales to 28,683 units. Commercial vehicle sales reached 5,051 units, including 2,644 Kia Bongo III and 2,303 Kia PV5. Overseas, Kia Sportage topped the list with 47,533 units, followed by Kia Seltos with 26,039 and Kia K4 with 21,488.
A Kia Corporation official said, "In the United States, we are sustaining sales growth for the third consecutive month year on year through a regional eco-friendly vehicle strategy centered on SUV hybrid models, while in Europe we are driving sales with a mass-market EV lineup." The official added, "We will continue to build on this momentum with sales strategies tailored to each region."
[email protected] Kim Dong-chan Reporter