Hyundai Motor, Kia take third-largest share of market in EU this year

Hyundai Motor's Tucson SUV [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia had the third-largest market share in the European Union (EU) this year, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) Tuesday.

From the first quarter to the third quarter of this year, combined accumulative sales of Hyundai Motor and Kia in the European market rose 6.6 percent on year. The two automakers sold a combined 821,531 vehicles in the market this year.

Hyundai Motor sold 395,649, up 3.2 percent, and Kia 425,882, up 9.8 percent.

This stands in contrast to the total number of automobiles sold in Europe this year, 8.27 million, down 9.7 percent on year.

The combined market share of Hyundai Motor and Kia accordingly rose to 9.9 percent, the highest for the two automakers so far. This is 1.5 percentage points higher than the previous year.

Volkswagen had the highest market share at 24.5 percent, followed by Stellantis. Renault Group and Toyota came after Hyundai Motor and Kia, in that order.

Hyundai Motor's Tucson SUV was the most popular model in the European market so far this year, and the hatchback Ceed for Kia.

While sales from the first quarter to the third quarter rose, combined sales in September of Hyundai Motor and Kia dropped 7.2 percent on year.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]