[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s largest automaker Hyundai Motor and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors reported a 31.9 percent increase in total sales in China in July, the automakers said Aug. 25.

Hyundai sold 70,016 units in July, up 29.3 percent from a year earlier, while Kia sold 41,005 units, up 36.6 percent.

In total, the carmakers sold 111,021 units, compared to 84,168 units last July. 



According to the company, the sales hike came on the back of increased SUV sales, such as of Kia’s Sportage and Hyundai’s Tucson.

Hyundai and Kia cars accounted for 7.5 percent of market share in July to rank at No. 3 after Volkswagen, with 18.1 percent, and General Motors, with 10.8 percent.

From January to July, Hyundai and Kia’s car sales only increased 2.4 percent to 919,379 units as a result of relatively poor sales in the first quarter of the year.


By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)