[Sponsored Report] Renault Samsung Motors’ SM3 sales increase

The diesel model of Renault Samsung Motors’ SM3. [RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS]

Renault Samsung Motors’ SM3 is growing in popularity. A total of 782 SM3s were sold in October, a 40.1 percent increase of last month’s sales. Some see this growth in sales as a revival of the compact car.

Compact cars are popular among women as well as those just starting their careers due to their reasonable price and fuel efficiency.

Although consumers show relatively less interest in compact cars than in midsize cars, they is still favored as “entry cars” among young people who are on a budget.

Among women, especially working moms, compact cars are considered the best car model. Safety is the most important thing to consider when driving with children. The SM3 is equipped with safety features such as hill start assist, a tire pressure monitoring system and an emergency stop signal.

The “Auto Closing” system, rarely found in compact cars, is part of the SM3 as well. The door automatically opens just by grabbing the door handle, and self-locks and closes the side mirrors when the driver walks away from the car. The SM3 is also equipped with an in-vehicle infotainment system. The vehicle features the SK 3D T-map which provides information on traffic and road conditions to drivers.

Multimedia services such as navigation, music streaming service via MelOn, Digital Hub Wi-Fi, and the Phone 2 Car function, which allows video clips to be sent from a mobile phone to the car, are offered to entertain children who ride early in the morning with their working moms.

Families with infants need to carry equipment such as car seats and strollers in their car. While it may be a compact car, the SM3 features a spacious interior that is comparable to mid-sized cars.

The full length of the vehicle is 4,620 millimeters (15 feet), its width 1,810 millimeters, its height 1,475 millimeters and the wheel base 2,700 millimeters. The SM3 is 50 millimeters longer and 35 millimeters higher than Hyundai Motors’ Avante.

The SM3 is equipped with the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s power-train. In its gasoline model, it is equipped with Nissan’s four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 1.6 liters and a continuously variable transmission system.

In the diesel model, it is fitted with Renault’s 1.5 dCi diesel engine as well as Getrag’s six-speed dual clutch transmission.

Compared to other domestic compact cars, the SM3 features great fuel efficiency. The fuel efficiency of the gasoline model is 15 kilometers per liter (35 miles per gallon), and the diesel model gets 17.7 km/L.

This is significantly higher than most other compact cars in competition. Hyundai Motors’ 2016 Avante has a fuel efficiency of 13.7 km/L and for Kia Motors’ 2017 K3 Sedan, it is 14.3 km/L.

This November, Renault Samsung Motors will launch a promotion to benefit customers who plans to buy the SM3. There will be a 700,000 won ($596) discount for cash purchases. The company also provides an additional discount of 300,000 won for owners of an old vehicle which was registered more than 5 years ago, teachers and government officials, owners of economy-sized cars as well as foreigners.

BY YANG SE-YOUNG [yang.seyoung@joongang.co.kr]