Seoul: GM Korea Co., the South Korean subsidiary of General Motors Co., reported a significant increase in its sales for October, marking an 8.1 percent rise compared to the same period last year, largely attributed to robust export performance. The company revealed that it sold 50,021 vehicles last month, a notable increase from the 46,269 units sold in October of the previous year, with the Trax Crossover and the Trailblazer SUV leading the export surge.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the company’s domestic sales experienced a sharp decline, plummeting 56 percent year-on-year to 1,974 units in October from 4,469 units. In contrast, exports showed a strong upward trajectory, climbing 15 percent to 48,047 vehicles from 41,800 in the same period. This trend underscores the company’s reliance on international markets to drive growth.

For the period from January to October, GM Korea’s overall sales increased by 7.3 percent, reaching 396,608 vehicles, compared to 369,540 units in the corresponding period of t
he previous year. However, domestic sales continued to fall, decreasing by 37 percent to 21,202 units from 33,525, while exports strengthened by 12 percent, totaling 375,406 units, up from 336,015.

GM Korea implements a dual strategy in South Korea, offering both domestically produced and imported vehicles. Its current product lineup includes two locally assembled models, the Trailblazer SUV and the Trax Crossover, along with five imported models: the Colorado pickup, Equinox, Traverse, and Tahoe SUVs, and the GMC brand’s Sierra Denali pickup. The Chevrolet brand dominates the South Korean market, although Cadillac models are also available.

Responding to market dynamics, GM Korea plans to expand its GMC brand offerings, contingent on consumer demand, signaling a potential shift in its strategic focus.