Hyundai Motor’s August sales fell 14.2% from a year earlier as strike-related production disruption weighed on deliveries. The company sold 288,574 vehicles during the month, compared with 336,141 a year earlier, according to figures reported by Dong-A Ilbo.
The weakness was much sharper in the domestic market. Hyundai sold 34,333 vehicles in Korea, down 41.1% year on year, while overseas sales fell 8.5% to 254,241. The company said the August labor strike caused production setbacks and created additional waiting demand for new vehicles. The decline came even after the launch of a new Grandeur in May and a new Avante in August.
The domestic drop was much steeper
The practical question is how much of the August drop reflects delayed rather than lost demand. Hyundai has not exceeded its year-earlier monthly sales level so far this year, making September important for judging whether restored production can close part of that gap. A rebound would point to temporary supply disruption; continued weakness would suggest a broader demand problem alongside the strike effect.