Ssangyong Motor

Five domestic automakers, namely Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, Ssangyong
Motor and Renault Samsung Motors, sold 333,711 units of passenger cars last month, surging 31.8 percent
from a year ago due to strong exports, according to the companies.

Their combined exports surged 49.4 percent to 82,484 units in August over a year ago, while domestic sales
shrank 2.3 percent in the period.

But their combined total sales decreased 4.2 percent from July. Exports also contracted 5.3 percent from a
month earlier.

Thanks to strong exports Hyundai Motor retailed 177,139 units last month, down 5.1 percent from July but up
17.7 percent from a year ago.

It sold 42,205 units in the domestic market, down 4.3 percent from July and 8.4 percent from a year ago, while
retailing 134,934 units overseas, down 5.3 percent from July but up 29.5 percent from a year earlier.

Kia Motors said its August sales amounted to 72,284 units, down 7.2 percent from July but up 74.4 percent
from a year ago.

As a result of the introduction of the new Sportage sport utility vehicle in mid-August, Kia’s domestic sales
performance totaled 21,170 units, up 10.7 percent from July and 32 percent from a year ago.

Kia’s exports decreased 13 percent to 51,114 units over July but jumped 101 percent from August last year.

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology reported its sales topped 67,070 units last month, including 7,607 units here and
59,463 units overseas. The total sales edged down 1 percent from July and plunged 50.2 percent from a year ago.

The decreases are attributed to the domestic sales slump as the local sales shrank 3.7 percent from a month
earlier and 18.3 percent from a year ago.

GM Daewoo’s exports crept down 0.7 percent month-on-month but soared 68.3 percent year-on-year.

Ssangyong Motor recorded a 23.6-percent rise to 11,014 sales units in August from July. The sales increased 8.5
percent from a year go with the introduction of Rodius, its new multi-purpose vehicle, the company said.

A total of 7,302 units were sold in the domestic market, up 2.9 percent month-on-month but down 12.2 percent
year-on-year. Exports, including knock-down units, amounted to 3,712 units, up 104 percent from July and 102.5
percent from a year ago.

Renault Samsung Motors retailed 6,204 units last month, down 6.2 percent from a year ago and down 11.7 percent
from a month earlier.

Domestic sales of the automaker's SM5 and SM3 sedans fell 7.5 percent from a year earlier to 6,031 units in
August, while exports reached 173 units, down 58.3 percent from a month ago.

- Source from The Korea Times (Sep 01,2004) -