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Kia Motors’ mid-sized sports utility vehicle (SUV) Sorento (pictured) is expected to record the highest sales this year.
According to Kia Motors on the 25th, Sorento sold 76892 units in Korea from January to November this year. Considering that the monthly average sales volume is 6990 units, the annual sales volume is expected to exceed 80,000 units, the highest ever. Sorento, which debuted in 2002, has a record-high annual sales of 8,715 units in 2016. In terms of sales until November this year, Hyundai Motor Company’s large SUV’Palisade’, Kia’s minivan’Carnival’, and Hyundai’s midsize SUV’Santa Fe’ have been solidified as the number one place per year.
The popularity of Sorento is analyzed to be due to the increase in SUV preference due to the recent’car + lodging’ craze. The fourth-generation Sorento, launched in March this year, applied two-row independent seats to a six-seater model for the first time in a mid-sized SUV to enhance the ride comfort of second-row passengers.
Among Sorento, the popularity of the hybrid model stands out. From January to November this year, Sorento hybrid sales volume is 21,246 units (27.6%). More than one out of four Sorento sold in Korea was counted as a hybrid model. This is due to the growing interest in eco-friendly cars. The Sorento Hybrid has a combined fuel efficiency of 15.3 km per liter, and has a high fuel efficiency comparable to that of a compact car.
The latest safety specifications are also applied. Sorento applied the’multi-collision avoidance automatic braking system’ for the first time among Hyundai and Kia. It is a system that automatically brakes the vehicle to prevent the second accident when a situation in which the driver cannot control the vehicle after the first accident occurs.
An official from Kia Motors explained, “The 4th generation Sorento is the only Korean midsize SUV to add a hybrid lineup.” “It is a popular factor to have the best-in-class interior space and safety specifications.”
Reporter Kim Il-gyu [email protected]
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