The local market share held by Hyundai Motor Co. and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors Corp. dipped to the upper 70 percent range in May despite release of new car models, industry data showed Tuesday.

Monthly records indicated the two carmakers claimed a combined 79.3 percent, down slightly from over 80 percent tallied in April.

Of the 121,239 cars sold locally, Hyundai, the country’s No. 1 carmaker, accounted for 49.4 percent, or 59,911 units. This represents a 9.1 percent dip in sales from 65,891 units sold the month before.

Kia’s numbers stood at 36,252 vehicles, or 29.9 percent of the total. Sales of the country’s second-largest carmaker was down 7.1 percent from 39,005 units sold in April, with the May tally marking the first time that the company accounted for less than 30 percent of domestic market share on a monthly basis this year.

Hyundai said sales of its Avante compact rose 5.9 percent, but demand for the all-new Genesis premium sedan and 2015 Sonata midsize car was down 11.1 percent and 8 percent vis-a-vis the previous month. (Yonhap)