● Auto production in January 2011 rose by 23.8% year-on-year to 387,188 units thanks to the high jump of exports and robust domestic sales.

● By type, passenger cars jumped 24.7% in producing 349,836 cars and commercial vehicles climbed 15.5% accounting to 37,352 units.

● Despite the rise of interest rate and oil price, the domestic orders continued to grow by 1.3% over Jan.2010 registering 121,005 vehicles, driven by new model effect by Grandeur and Morning coupled with increasing potential replacement-demand.  This is the biggest January-record since 2004.

● Hyundai, Kia, GM Daewoo and Ssangyong in terms of maker, and Mini, Small, Medium-sized cars, SUV and CDV with respect to category, posted double-digit growth in production.

● Hyundai leapt 34.1% riding on the enhanced introduction of new models such as Avante MD and YF Sonata, and Kia with the improved appraisal of product quality of Forte, Pride and Sportage R surged 59.2% to 95,738 units and ranked top for three consecutive months.

● GM Daewoo rose 17.1% led by the exports-expansion of Lacetti and Gentra, Renault Samsung soared 157.4% boosted by the full-scales exports of New SM5 to Europe and Ssangyong with the positive reputation of Korando C in global market rose 96.3%.


*Source: January 2011 Korean Automobile Industry by Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association