Yonhap reported that output by South Korea's five automakers fell by 8.2% YoY in September 2012 in the midst of an economic slowdown at home and abroad. The monthly car output has declined for five consecutive months.

According to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, industry leader Hyundai Motor Co and four other local carmakers produced a combined 343,458 vehicles in September 2012 as compared with 374,004 units a year earlier.

The four other domestic carmakers are Kia Motors Co, GM Korea Co, Renault Samsung Motors Co and Ssangyong Motor Co.

For the first nine months of 2012, 3.32 million vehicles were produced by the automakers, down by 2.1% YoY from 3.39 million units a year earlier.

KAMA said that domestic sales for September 2012 retreated 6.8% YoY to 116,484 units due to a slowing economy and mounting household debts. The automakers also saw a 7.2% YoY decrease in exports in September 2012, with a combined 232,025 units shipped abroad.

According to KAMA, Hyundai's mid-size sedan Sonata was the best selling model in September 2012, with 10,191 units sold.

Source - Yonhap News

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