SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Yonhap) — Renault Korea Motors, the South Korean branch of Renault S.A., reported on Friday that its sales had decreased by 28% in August compared to the same period the year before, due to a decline in exports.
The carmaker sold 8,414 units last month, a drop from the 11,622 units sold in August 2019. This was mainly attributed to a significant decrease in the number of QM6 SUVs shipped. Domestic sales also experienced a steep plunge of 62%, down to 1,502 from 3,950.
From January to August, Renault Korea’s sales have decreased by 25%, with 78,096 vehicles sold compared to 104,451 in the same period of 2019. Domestic sales have gone down by 55%, from 34,437 to 15,477, while exports have dropped 11%, from 70,014 to 62,619.
To revive its sales, the company is focusing on gasoline hybrid models, and making preparations for the production of all-electric models. Currently, its lineup includes one gasoline hybrid model, the hybrid electric version of the XM3 compact SUV, and three gasoline-powered models: the XM3, QM6 SUV and SM6 midsize sedan.
Renault Korea plans to add a midsize gasoline hybrid SUV to its lineup in the second half of 2021 as part of its Aurora 1 project.
This file photo provided by Renault Korea shows the QM6 SUV. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
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