This photo provided by Kia Corp. shows the company’s Sorento SUV. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — The Sorento, the popular sport utility vehicle (SUV) of Kia Corp., is poised to become this year’s single bestselling car model in South Korea, industry data showed Wednesday.
According to the latest sales data from domestic automakers, the Sorento claimed the top spot for domestic cumulative sales for the January-November period with 85,710 units sold.
Kia’s Carnival minivan came in second, selling 75,513 units, followed by the Santa Fe SUV of Hyundai Motor Co. with 70,912 units sold during the 11-month period.
Industry watchers predict the Sorento will maintain its lead in December, making it the first Kia brand to top the domestic sales ranking since the automaker’s acquisition by Hyundai Motor Group in 1999.
Previously, industry leader Hyundai Motor’s models have won the annual sales race. Kia could dominate the top two sales spots if the Carnival’s sales also continue to perform well in December.
The Sorento is also expected to become the first non-sedan and non-commercial vehicle model to claim the top spot in domestic sales.
Industry watchers attributed the Sorento’s performance to increased preference for SUVs over traditional sedan models across the industry. The Kia model also likely benefited from demand for its hybrid trims amid a slowdown in sales of electric vehicles, they added.
(Yonhap)
