S. Korean auto sales rise 25.6 pct in November

SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- Combined auto sales by South Korea's five automakers
rose 25.6 percent in November from a year earlier, as local customers rushed to
buy new cars before government incentives to boost auto demand ends this month,
according to figures released Tuesday by the carmakers.
Sales by the carmakers, led by Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors
Corp., climbed to 555,246 units last month. Domestic sales jumped 93.2 percent to
136,607 units and overseas sales 22.3 percent to 418,639 units.
Hyundai, the nation's largest carmaker, said auto sales rose 33.3 percent in
November from a year ago to 308,873 units.
Kia saw sales rising 25.5 percent last month to 166,614 units.
GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co., the local unit of General Motors Co., sold
54,501 units last month, down 12.6 percent from a year ago.
Despite the decline, GM Daewoo expects its sales to rebound this month.
"Considering positive market response to our products and promotions, GM Daewoo
expects that it will continue to keep sales momentum in the last of the year,"
Rick LaBelle, vice president of GM Daewoo, said in a statement.
Renault Samsung Motors Co., the local unit of Renault SA, said sales gained 81.9
percent in November from a year ago to 20,562 units.
Ssangyong Motor Co., which has been under bankruptcy protection since February,
said sales rose 22.5 percent to 4,696 units.
(END)