In the mid-size market, hybrids are dominating. Hybrid vehicles that have reduced engine size to lower carbon emissions and increase efficiency are gaining immense popularity.
At the center of this trend is the Sorento. With the addition of a hybrid powertrain, the Sorento has begun to capture the spotlight. In the first quarter of this year, the Sorento hybrid sold 10,011 units, accounting for 61% of the total Sorento sales of 16,246 units. Two out of three Sorento buyers still prefer the hybrid model.
In the sedan market, sales of the Grandeur and K8 hybrids have also increased. The Grandeur recently introduced a 1.6 hybrid powertrain in its new model. In the first quarter of this year, Grandeur sales reached 30,849 units, with hybrids accounting for 13,462 units, which is 47% of total sales. Monthly sales figures show a consistent upward trend: from 9,118 units in January, 3,711 were hybrids (40%); in February, out of 9,805 units, 4,396 were hybrids (44.8%); and in March, out of 10,916 units, 5,355 were hybrids (49%).
Kia’s K8 is also gaining popularity in the hybrid market. In the first quarter of this year, K8 sales totaled 12,188 units, with 7,845 of those being hybrids, resulting in a 64% market share. This marks a 10 percentage point increase compared to the previous year.
The surge in sales of medium and large hybrid models from Hyundai and Kia can be attributed to the recognition of the excellent hybrid powertran developed independently by the Hyundai Motor Group. The combination of a 1.6 hybrid with a total system output of 230 horsepower and a 6-speed automatic transmission provides optimal efficiency and performance.
In the case of the Grandeur, the 3.5 AWD (18-inch) model has a combined fuel efficiency of 9.5 km/liter, while the hybrid model (18-inch) boasts a fuel efficiency of 18 km/liter, nearly doubling the distance per liter of fuel. Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions are significantly lower: 179g/km for the 3.5 AWD model compared to just 88g/km for the hybrid.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr