Weak global demand, sluggish consumer sentiment weigh on sales

KGM enters Ethiopia KD market after Myanmar push

KG Mobility's Musso pickup truck. [KG Mobility]
KG Mobility's Musso pickup truck. [KG Mobility]

KG Mobility sold 6,537 units in October — 2,037 domestically and 4,500 through exports — down 31.3% from 9,517 units in the same month last year, the company said Monday.

Domestic sales fell 42.4% year-on-year. By model, the Musso pickup truck led with 743 units sold, up 31.3% from a year earlier. The Torres posted 311 units, down 67.5%, while the Actyon sold 302 units, down 56.9%.

Exports totaled 4,500 units, including 60 completely knocked-down kits, down 24.7% from the same month last year. Compared with September, total sales fell 26.2%. Cumulative sales from January through October reached 87,570 units, down 4.7% from the same period a year ago.

KGM is stepping up sales efforts to counter weakness in both domestic and overseas markets. In South Korea, the company is running a promotional campaign offering discounts on a combined 1,000 units across its model lineup in conjunction with the 2026 K-Sale Festa.

The company is also accelerating its push into new markets to boost export volumes. Following its entry into Myanmar, KGM launched a local assembly, or KD, operation in Ethiopia in September.

"Sales declined due to factors including a slowdown in global demand and weakening consumer sentiment in the domestic market," a KGM official said. "We plan to grow sales by strengthening our push into emerging markets through KD operations and other global expansion initiatives, while also stepping up domestic efforts through test-drive events and expanded customer engagement."


eyre@heraldcorp.com