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GM Korea, Renault Korea Sales Slump in 2025 Amid Export Challenges

GM Korea reported a 7.5% decline in annual sales for 2025, driven by a sharp 39.2% drop in domestic sales and a 5.8% fall in exports. Renault Korea Motors also saw a significant 17.7% sales decrease, primarily due to a 46.7% plunge in exports, despite a strong 31.3% rise in domestic sales fueled by the Grand Koleos SUV. Both automakers are looking to new models, like GM's GMC and Buick lineup and Renault's contract manufacturing of the Polestar 4 electric SUV, to improve performance in the coming year. The overall picture for 2025 highlights the challenges of weak export demand impacting South Korea's automotive sector.

Key Points: GM Korea, Renault Korea 2025 Sales Decline

  • GM Korea sales down 7.5% in 2025
  • Renault Korea sales fell 17.7%
  • GM domestic sales plunged 39.2%
  • Renault exports dropped 46.7%
2 min read

Sales of GM Korea, Renault Korea Motors dip on weak domestic demand, sluggish exports

GM Korea sales fell 7.5%, Renault Korea down 17.7% in 2025 due to weak exports and domestic demand, despite some SUV gains.

"GM will continue to expand its brand presence in Korea by introducing a diverse lineup - Gustavo Colossi"

Seoul, Jan 5

GM Korea, the South Korean unit of General Motors, said on Monday that its annual sales dipped 7.5 per cent in 2025 from a year earlier, with sales slipping both at home and abroad.

The company sold 462,310 vehicles last year, down from 499,559 units posted in 2024, the company said in a release, reports Yonhap news agency.

Domestic sales plunged 39.2 per cent on-year to 15,094 units, and exports moved down 5.8 per cent to 447,216 units.

In December alone, the carmaker's domestic sales came to 1,142 units, down 36.6 per cent from the previous year, while exports edged down 0.3 per cent to 51,358 units.

"In 2026, GM will continue to expand its brand presence in Korea by introducing a diverse lineup of GMC and Buick models for Korean customers, while consistently delivering high-quality services through our collaborative service network," Gustavo Colossi, GM Korea's vice president of sales and services, said in the release.

Meanwhile, Renault Korea Motors, the South Korean unit of Renault S.A., said on Monday that its annual sales fell 17.7 per cent from a year earlier in 2025 due mainly to sluggish exports.

Renault Korea sold a combined 88,044 vehicles in 2025, down from 106,939 units a year earlier, the company said in a press release.

Domestic sales jumped 31.3 per cent on-year to 52,271 units, while exports plunged 46.7 percent to 35,773 units.

Renault Korea attributed the strong domestic performance to an 85.5 percent on-year surge in sales of the Grand Koleos sport utility vehicle (SUV).

However, exports of the Arkana and QM6 SUVs dropped 54 percent and 96.2 percent, respectively, weighing heavily on overall performance.

Renault Korea said its exports are expected rebound in the new year as shipments of the Polestar 4 electric SUV will begin in earnest.

Renault Korea began full-scale contract manufacturing of the Polestar 4 at its Busan plant last year.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
A 39% drop in domestic sales for GM Korea is massive! It makes me wonder about their brand perception and marketing there. In India, GM (Chevrolet) had to exit because they couldn't adapt to the market. Seems like a similar story playing out in Korea? Hope they turn it around with the new GMC/Buick models.
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Priya S
The export numbers for both companies are worrying. Global demand seems soft. As an Indian, I see parallels with our own auto sector sometimes facing export headwinds. Hope the Polestar 4 gives Renault Korea the boost it needs. Electric vehicles are the future everywhere 🌍⚡.
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Rohit P
Respectfully, I think GM's statement sounds a bit generic. "Expand brand presence... introducing diverse lineup..." They need a stronger, more specific plan. Korean consumers, like Indians, are very discerning. You can't just rely on the parent company's reputation. The product has to be right for *that* market.
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Vikram M
The Busan plant making Polestar is a smart move. Contract manufacturing can stabilize operations. India is also becoming a major hub for global carmakers to manufacture for export. It's a tough global market, but diversification (like Renault doing Polestar) seems key to survival.
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Michael C
A 96.2% drop in exports for the QM6 SUV? That's not a dip, that's a collapse. Something major must have happened with a specific export market or model cycle. Data like this shows how vulnerable automakers are to model-specific trends. Hope 2026 is better for the workers in those plants.

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