S.Korean carmakers' global sales decline in Jan.
Xinhua, February 2, 2015 Adjust font size:
Global auto sales by five South Korean carmakers declined last month on weak demand for locally- made cars from overseas, industry data showed Monday.
Auto sales at home and abroad by Hyundai, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Samsung and Ssangyong totaled 717,332 in January, down 3.4 percent from a year earlier.
Renault Samsung alone saw its car sales more than double in January thanks to brisk exports, but four other auto companies posted a reduction in sales on the back of weak exports.
Global auto sales by top carmaker Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors reduced 6.7 percent and 1.8 percent each in January, with those for GM Korea and Ssangyong Motor falling 3.8 percent and 10.7 percent, respectively.
Domestic car sales by the five automakers increased 5 percent from a year earlier to 111,620 units in January, but their exports declined 4.8 percent to 605,712 units.
Ssangyong Motor recorded an export fall on a plunge in the Russian currency, which led to its reduction in Russian exports. Hyundai and Kia suffered from production decline in overseas factories caused by fewer working days in the New Year's holiday period. Endi