[UP! START] Jun Company: Sorento Returns to No. 1, Surpassing EV5

| NBNTV = Jeong Dong-jin |

Jun Company, known for its online new car purchasing platform Car Lab, has released its October new car interest report.

According to Jun Company on the 20th, an analysis of new car quote request data from October 1 to 18, 2024, revealed that the Kia Sorento returned to the lead, recording the highest level of interest and surpassing the EV5. According to Car Lab's trend report, the Sorento took first place with a 6.6% share of total quote requests by model.

This was followed by the EV5 (5.4%), Sportage (4.1%), Tesla Model Y (4.0%), and Seltos (3.8%). Unlike in September when the EV5 held the top spot, the Sorento reclaimed the lead in October, proving the high popularity of mid-size SUVs.

In particular, the Sorento's share rose by 1.5%p, from 5.1% in September to 6.6% in October. Meanwhile, the EV5 maintained a similar level, moving from 5.3% in September to 5.4% in October.

Analysts suggest that while interest in electric SUVs continues, the shift in rankings among popular models occurred as the Sorento's share of quote requests expanded. In the family car segment, interest centered clearly on SUVs and RVs. The Hyundai Palisade (2.9%), Kia Carnival (2.8%), and Hyundai Santa Fe (2.7%) were all named among the top 10.

Vehicles with space utility and practicality, ranging from mid-size to large SUVs and RVs, consistently formed the upper ranks, showing steady interest in family vehicles. Among electric vehicles, the Kia EV5 (5.4%) and Tesla Model Y (4.0%) maintained their positions in the overall top rankings. The Kia PV5 (1.9%), Hyundai IONIQ 9 (1.7%), and Kia EV3 (1.4%) were also included among the major models for quote requests.

While the preference for SUVs continues, electric vehicles are also being chosen by consumers across various vehicle classes. In terms of quote request shares by manufacturer, Kia ranked first at 36.7%, followed by Hyundai (18.2%) and BMW (10.4%).

The combined share of Kia and Hyundai reached 54.9%, accounting for more than half of the total. Among imported cars, BMW recorded the highest share, followed by Tesla (4.7%) and Volkswagen (4.1%).

Park Geun-young, CEO of Car Lab, stated, "It is notable that the Sorento, which lost its lead to the EV5 in September, rose back to number one in October. This shows that while interest in electric SUVs is being maintained, the competitiveness of existing popular models like the Sorento and Sportage remains high."