Renault Samsung's car exports hit record in H1

SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- Renault Samsung Motors Co., the South Korean unit of French automaker Renault SA, said Wednesday that it exported a record 70,914 cars in the first half of this year thanks to solid demand in Europe.
The first-half tally surpassed the previous high of 50,160 units tallied in the first six months of 2010, with the latest surge being fueled by the popularity of its SM5 midsize car and steady demand for the SM3 compact and its QM5 crossover utility vehicle.
The carmaker started exporting the SM5 to Europe in January, with the first exports of the SM3 and QM5 taking place in 2006 and 2008, respectively.
"The figure represents the highest first-half record since Renault Samsung was launched in 2000," the company said. "Exports accounted for 57 percent of the 123,516 cars made by the company from January through June."
In 2000, the carmaker shipped out just 192 vehicles, with overseas shipments surpassing the 1,000 mark for the first time in 2003 and reaching 115,783 for the whole of last year.
Renault Samsung, meanwhile, said its exports surged 43.6 percent on-year to 14,778 units in June, with overall sales reaching 24,212 vehicles for the month.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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