BYD's exports accounted for more than two-fifths of its Q3 sales as the Chinese automaker joined the global top five, while Hyundai Motor Group ranked third, The Korea Herald reported.
Toyota Group led the tally at 2.74 million vehicles, with Volkswagen Group next at 1.89 million. Hyundai Motor Group posted 1.76 million, leaving it about 125,000 short of Volkswagen. BYD sold 1.32 million vehicles and moved into the top five; Renault-Nissan Alliance dropped out after its Q3 sales declined 11.1% year over year, the outlet reported.
BYD's sales volume was 18.7% higher year over year. Exports reached 551,000, about 42% of its Q3 total, after growing 137%. The Korea Herald said overseas expansion helped BYD offset weaker demand and intensifying competition in China.
Results differed across Hyundai Motor Group. Kia recorded 829,000 sales, up 6.9%, while Hyundai Motor sold 931,000, down 10.1%, The Korea Herald reported. The Korea Herald said labor action disrupted Hyundai Motor's domestic output, while sales also weakened in Europe and China.
The Korea Herald also reported declines in other automakers' China operations. Volkswagen Group delivered 406,000 vehicles in China during Q3, down 38.5% from a year earlier; deliveries outside China fell about 4%. Toyota's China sales dropped 19.7% in September, extending its monthly decline to eight consecutive months. Nissan's China sales fell 61.6%, the outlet said.
General Motors sold 1.03 million vehicles, 5.2% more than a year earlier, according to the report. Strong pickup truck and large sport utility vehicle sales supported the increase despite lower electric vehicle sales in the United States.
