Renault Korea’s Sept. sales decline 5.3 pct on weak exports

Renault Korea Motors, the South Korean unit of Renault S.A., said Wednesday its sales declined 5.3 percent last month from a year earlier on decreased exports. Renault Korea sold 8,625 vehicles in September, down from 9,105 units a year earlier due to sluggish overseas demand, the company said in a statement. Domestic sales more than tripled to 5,010 units from 1,651 during the same period, while exports plunged 52 percent on-year to 3,615 units from 7,454, it said. "Strong sales of the new midsized Grand Koleos SUV buoyed the domestic sales last month," the company said. From January to September, its sales fell 26 percent to 64,656 autos from 87,201 units in the same period last year. Domestic sales climbed 11 percent to 19,042 units in the first nine months from 17,128, while exports dropped 35 percent to 45,614 from 70,073 during the same period. Renault Korea currently sells two gasoline hybrid models, the hybrid electric version of the XM3 compact SUV and the Grand Koleos SUV. Its lineup also inc ludes three gasoline-powered ones: the XM3, QM6 SUV and SM6 midsize sedan. The company said it plans to add the gasoline version of the Grand Koleos SUV later this month. Source: Yonhap News Agency