Renault Samsung XM3 Selected as '2022 Spain Car of the Year'... European Export Boom

Renault Brand Selection After 25 Years... Hybrid Models Also Receive Positive Reviews

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Renault Samsung Motors' XM3 has been selected as the '2022 Spain Car of the Year.'

Renault Samsung announced on the 23rd that the Renault New Arkana (the European export name of XM3) was finally selected as the 2022 Spain Car of the Year, hosted by ABC News. This is the first time in 25 years since 1997 that a Renault brand vehicle has been chosen as Car of the Year in Spain, one of Europe's top five automotive markets.

In this year's Spain Car of the Year competition, 12 major global brand vehicles, including the New Arkana, were shortlisted as finalists and competed. The New Arkana won first place with a final score of 16.52%, combining evaluations from Spanish automotive journalists (70%) and ABC News readers (30%), earning the honor of the award.

Hyundai Tucson, which also competed, ranked second with 13.22%, and Audi Q4 e-tron took third place with 11.87%. Other contenders included Ford Mustang Mach-E, SEAT Arona, Citro?n C4, Volkswagen ID.4, Toyota Yaris Cross, and Kia Sorento.

Since the XM3's European export began in earnest in June this year, it has received favorable reviews locally, being named Company Car of the Year in Slovenia and a finalist for Car of the Year in Romania. Particularly, the XM3 hybrid model, scheduled for release next year, has received positive evaluations. The XM3 hybrid model scored a total of 69 points in the comprehensive hybrid model evaluation by the Swedish automotive magazine 'Teknikens V?rld,' surpassing the Toyota Camry Hybrid (64 points) and Volkswagen Golf 1.0 (65 points) to achieve the highest score.

These positive evaluations have also led to increased local exports. According to Renault Samsung, the total export volume of the XM3 reached 52,488 units by November. In the major European markets, sales were highest in France (20,684 units), followed by Spain (6,500 units), Germany (5,440 units), and Italy (4,285 units).

Despite the adverse conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and semiconductor supply shortages, Renault Samsung plans to make company-wide efforts to secure the export competitiveness of the XM3. Dominic Signora, President of Renault Samsung, said, "We are pleased to have captured the hearts of European consumers based on Renault Samsung's unique high-quality competitiveness and product appeal despite difficult conditions," adding, "Next year, we will continue to enhance product appeal and stabilize quality so that the XM3 will be chosen by many consumers in the global market."

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