Renault Samsung exports QM6 to Europe

Renault Samsung Motors’ QM6 SUVs are being loaded onto a cargo ship bound for Europe, at a port in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. The automaker plans to ship more than 30,000 QM6s to Europe this year. / Courtesy of Renault Samsung

By Lee Hyo-sik

Renault Samsung has begun exporting its popular QM6 mid-size SUVs to Europe, kicking off its campaign to turn the vehicle into a global hit.

The company said Monday that it loaded the first batch of 1,793 QM6s onto a cargo ship Sunday, bound for 12 European markets. The Korean unit of French automaker Renault plans to ship more than 30,000 QM6s to Europe this year.

It also plans to export an additional 10,000 from its main Busan plant to South America, the Middle East and other regions.

“The QM6 has been highly recognized for its top product quality. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to export the vehicle to European markets,” company executive Kim Tae-joon said. “The SUV has been popular with Korean consumers since its debut last September. We have no doubt that it will also become popular among European motorists. We will transform our Busan plant into an export hub for Renault Group.”

Under the name of Koleos, the vehicle will be available at Renault dealers across Europe, Kim said.

The carmaker spent nearly 400 billion won ($357 million) to design and develop the QM6, according to company officials, who said it collaborated with its parent firm Renault in designing the SUV, the follow-up model to the previous QM5.

“The sales of more than 19,000 QM5 SUVs since last September, or about 3,000 a month, show that it has been received well by local consumers,” a company spokesman said. “Its sales will continue to remain brisk for the foreseeable future and we would like to repeat the success story in Europe and elsewhere.”

The QM6 has the power train and 4 wheel-drive technology, coupled with Renault’s sophisticated design.

Its exterior design is similar to that of the SM6 mid-size sedan, and is equipped with a full C-shaped LED headlight and a 3D-type LED rear light to maintain similarity with its previous QM5 model.

The vehicle’s interior has an 8.7-inch touch screen for navigation and multimedia use, and premium Bose speakers to provide surround sound.

Prices start at 27 million won for the two-wheel drive vehicle and 31 million won for four-wheel drive.