This file photo provided by Hyundai Motor shows the all-new Grandeur sedan.
SEOUL, July 10 (Korea Bizwire) – The preference for hybrid models among South Korean consumers has led to the share of Hyundai Motor Co.’s Grandeur sedan’s hybrid models surpassing that of internal combustion engine models.
According to the carmaker, hybrid models accounted for 33,056 units or 52.5 percent of the Grandeur’s domestic sales of 62,970 units in the January-June period of this year, surpassing the sales of internal combustion engine models (29,914 units).
This marked the first time the Grandeur Hybrid outsold internal combustion engine models over a six-month period.
The sales of internal combustion engine models included 5,292 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-powered models, which are widely used as commercial vehicles such as taxis.
When comparing the sales of hybrid models exclusively with gasoline models that primarily target general consumers (24,622 units), excluding LPG models, the gap widens further.
In the case of Kia Corp.’s K8 sedan, which belongs to the same class as the Grandeur and utilizes the same powertrain, the hybrid sales ratio out of the total first-half sales (25,155 units) stood at 63.6 percent, surpassing that of the Grandeur.
“For consumers who hesitate to purchase electric vehicles due to concerns about charging infrastructure and charging time, hybrid cars are still considered as an alternative,” said an industry official.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
