Hyundai Motor Co. and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors Corp. saw their combined sales in the United States grow 7 percent in November, industry data showed Tuesday.

The two South Korean auto giants sold a combined 105,560 units in the U.S. last month, up from 98,608 units during the same period last year, the data showed. But the pace of growth slowed from October’s 16 percent. Hyundai Motor sold 60,007 cars in the U.S., up 12 percent from a year earlier, while Kia Motors’ sales grew 1.4 percent on-year to 45,553 units. Both Hyundai and Kia said their latest sales figures were the best for October ever.

In particular, Kia said it sold its 6 millionth *vehicle in November since entering the U.S. market in 1994. Kia’s growth was led by the Sorento and the Sportage SUVs. The Sportage sold 4,211 units, up 29 percent from 3,261 last year, while the Sorento sold 9,023 units, up 4.9 percent from last year’s 8,598 units. The Optima mid-size sedan sold 13,048 units, up from last year’s 12,707 units. Hyundai’s sales were driven by crossover and sport utility vehi­cles.

The Tucson SUV sold 6,906 units, a 90 percent jump from last year, while the Veloster crossover sold 2,204 units, up 70 percent from last year’s 1,296 units. Best sellers Sonata and Elantra sold 16,732 and 17,634 units, respec­tively. (Yonhap)

Source : The Korea Herald Newspaper; 2015,12,3