S. Korean carmakers' sales rise 1.6 pct in 2009

SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean automakers, led by Hyundai Motor Co. and
its affiliate Kia Motors Corp., saw a 1.6 percent gain in vehicle sales last
year, compared with a brutal 2008, bolstering views that the worst of their
downturn may be over, data showed Monday.
The nation's five carmakers, which also include GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co.,
Renault Samsung Motors Co. and Ssangyong Motor Co., sold a total of 5.44 million
vehicles in 2009, compared with 5.35 million units sold in 2008, according to
figures released by the companies.
Last year, domestic sales rose 17 percent to 1,386,089 units, thanks to the
Korean government's incentive packages to boost demand for new cars. Overseas
sales, however, fell 3.9 percent to 4,059,174 units.
Hyundai saw its 2009 vehicle sales rising 11.6 percent from a year ago to a
record 3.1 million units.
Kia's sales also gained 9.6 percent to 1.5 million units last year.
Earlier in the day, Hyundai and Kia said they expect their combined 2010 sales to
rise 17 percent this year to 5.4 million units.
In a statement, Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo told employees that the
auto conglomerate aims to become one of the world's top-class automakers this
year.
"Last year, Hyundai and Kia laid the foundation stone to emerge as world-class
automakers," Chung said in the statement. "Based on the achievements last year,
let's make 2010 a year of making new history for Hyundai and Kia."
Unlike Hyundai and Kia, the three smaller rivals suffered a setback last year.
GM Daewoo, the South Korean unit of General Motors Co., said it sold 578,758
units last year, down 34.4 percent from the year before.
The sharp decline in 2009 sales comes as GM Daewoo is grappling with a precarious
liquidity condition as its U.S. parent emerged from bankruptcy protection in
mid-2008.
In spite of the lackluster performance, GM Daewoo said it expects sales to
rebound this year.
"Despite ongoing challenges in our overseas markets, we received a very
encouraging sales rebound in December," said Rick LaBelle, vice president of GM
Daewoo, citing a 49.3 percent rise in exports in December last year.
Renault Samsung, the South Korean unit of French automaker Renault SA, saw 2009
sales falling 3.7 percent to 189,813 vehicles.
Ssangyong, which won a bankruptcy court's approval last month to proceed with its
turnaround plan, sold 34,936 units last year, down 57.6 percent from the year
before.
(END)