XM3 becomes Renault's best-selling model
Renualt Samsung's best-selling XM3 model / Courtesy of Renault Samsung Motors
By Kim Hyun-bin
Renault Samsung Motors' XM3 showed solid performance in both domestic sales and exports this year, becoming the company's best-selling model.
This year, the company exported 50,000 XM3 SUV coupes. The XM3 started exporting to Chile in July last year. It expanded its shipments to Europe earlier this year and is being sold in 28 European countries as of last June, setting a record of 50,000 vehicles sold within the last five months.
The XM3 is a strategic model created through collaboration between Renault Samsung Research Center and Renault Group. Overseas the XM3, sold under the name Arcana, is produced and exported from Renault Samsung's Busan plant, except for in Russia.
In particular, the model led exports in the hybrid category. The XM3 Hybrid, scheduled to be released in Korea next year, has already been popular in the European market, where demand for eco-friendly vehicles is high.
In the domestic market, it has been recognized for its unrivaled product quality and has maintained best-seller status each year.
Since its launch, the XM3 has attracted attention with its outstanding design, taking the compact car to the next level. This year the company implemented the CarPay system.
CarPay is a system that completes ordering, payment and receipt of goods through applications installed in vehicles and smartphones. Renault Samsung Motors plans to test accreditation at CU convenience stores and GS gas stations and increase available services gradually.
Drivers can make a reservation with a gas station and when they approach a signal is sent to the gas station so the vehicle can be fueled immediately. Users reserving a time for a convenience store can park their car at a nearby pick-up point and receive purchased items directly.
Since it is in the early stages of implementation, there are not many service bases or available services yet, but the industry expects a gradual expansion.
"Renault Samsung Motors has taken the lead in introducing CarPay which could spread to diverse services attracting high usage,” an automotive industry official said.