Hyundai, Kia See Brisk Exports of Eco-Friendly Cars in Q1

Hyundai and affiliate Kia exported over 100,000 eco-friendly vehicles in the first quarter.

The Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association said Sunday the two carmakers shipped a combined 111,252 electric vehicles including hybrids and hydrogen cars -- 56,077 for Hyundai and 55,175 for Kia -- in the first three months of this year.

Their exports rose 28.6 percent from 86,538 cars a year earlier. It was also the first time their quarterly exports of eco-friendly vehicles surpassed 100,000.

EVs led the way with 50,391 units shipped. Kia's all-electric EV6 was the most popular with 16,336 units exported, followed by Hyundai's Ioniq 5 (15,219).

Exports of plug-in hybrid models also remained steady with the release of the latest versions of Kia's Sorento and Hyundai's Tucson overseas.