Hyundai Kia Motors, This Year Is the Year of the SUV Big Cycle

Following This Month's GV80 Launch, Facelifted Santa Fe Released
Kia Sorento, Carnival, and Sportage Full Model Changes Await Lineup Debut

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] As the popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) soars in the global automotive market, Hyundai and Kia Motors' SUV lineups are entering a full-fledged big cycle trajectory this year. Hyundai Motor previously established an SUV lineup ranging from compact to large with the launch of the Palisade and Venue, and this year will launch the Genesis brand's first SUV. Kia Motors has announced the release of full-change (complete redesign) models of popular models such as Sorento, Carnival, and Sportage, signaling competition ahead.

According to the industry on the 7th, Hyundai Motor will launch the Genesis brand's first SUV, the GV80, domestically within this month. In the first half of this year, a facelifted Santa Fe will be released, and in the second half, the Genesis mid-size SUV GV70, a facelifted Kona, and a completely redesigned Tucson are scheduled to be launched.

Hyundai Motor began shaking up the domestic SUV market landscape with the launch of the large SUV Palisade at the end of 2018. Last summer, it completed its SUV lineup from entry-level (Venue) to compact (Kona), compact mid-size (Tucson), mid-size (Santa Fe), and large (Palisade) by launching the entry-level Venue, known as the 'one-person SUV.'

This year, Hyundai Motor plans to continue its new car cycle led by the Genesis brand SUV. First, the Genesis brand's first SUV, the GV80, equipped with luxurious design and cutting-edge features, is awaiting its mid-month launch. The GV80 is considered Hyundai-Kia Motors' first new car of the year and the most anticipated model. Genesis is also preparing to launch the mid-size SUV GV70 in the second half of this year. Hyundai Motor plans to unveil a facelifted model of the domestic best-selling SUV Santa Fe in the first half of the year, with a facelifted Kona and a completely redesigned Tucson scheduled for release in the second half.

Kia Motors, which is preparing full-change models of key models such as Sorento, Carnival, and Sportage, has set a sales rebound strategy this year by strengthening its new car cycle. Last year, Kia introduced local strategic models such as the large SUV Telluride in the U.S. market and the compact SUV Seltos in the Indian market, achieving market share expansion.

The Telluride, launched in February last year, sold 58,604 units and gained sensational popularity in the U.S. Accordingly, Kia increased production at its Georgia plant from 60,000 to about 80,000 units annually. The India strategic model Seltos became a segment best-selling model not only in India but also domestically.

This year, Kia will further strengthen its new car lineup by launching completely redesigned models of the mid-large SUV Sorento, minivan Carnival, and compact mid-size SUV Sportage. In particular, hybrid versions of these models, which are spotlighted as family cars, are also expected to attract great attention. Based on last year's annual sales, Kia's number one SUV in the domestic market was the Carnival (63,706 units), followed by the Sorento (52,325 units). Overseas, the Sportage, which sold 442,334 units, was the best-selling car.

The SUV sales ratio of Hyundai-Kia Motors reached record highs every year as of last year, with domestic sales at 36.8%, U.S. sales at 43.6%, and European sales at 47.6%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.