[THE INVESTOR] Renault Samsung Motors, the local unit of French automaker Renault, unveiled its new sport utility vehicle QM6 on Aug. 31 saying it expects to see a boost in sales this year.

“Last year, we barely exceed 8,000 units in sales,” Park Dong-hoon, CEO of Renault Samsung, told the media at the QM6 unveiling event in Seoul. “This year we expect to reach 110,000 units. For QM6, we will sell at least 5,000 units each month,” he said. 

The QM6 SUV, a new version of its QM6, is geared for a bright sales outlook, with preorders topping 2,000 units on the first day on Aug.22. As of Aug. 31, the preorder volume surpassed 5,500 units, the company said.

“Renault Samsung’s ultimate goal is to rank third in the domestic market,” Park said. Renault Samsung currently ranks fourth among local carmakers in terms of sales, after Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and GM Daewoo.

“I believe we can reach third place, fueled by 6,000 units of SM6 and 5,000 units of QM6 sales every month, along with other models.”

QM6, which is sold as Koleos outside Korea, will be exported to 80 nations, starting with Australia and South America this year.

The new SUV, powered by 2.0 diesel engine, has a 177 horsepower and maximum torque of 38.7 kilogram-meters. Customers can choose between the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive options.

The retail price for the two-wheel drive ranges from 27.4 million won (US$ 24,546) to 33 million won, while the four-wheel drive is priced from 30.7 million won to 34.7 million won depending on the trim levels.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)