The revamped QM 3 crossover Upbeat on its hot - selling QM 3 crossover , Renault Samsung Motors has pledged to continue the recent sales momentum next year . The QM 3 , built in Renault ’ s Spain plant , made its debut in December last year . The first batch of 1 , 000 vehicles was sold out in seven minutes after the preorder started ― an unprecedented record in the Korean car market . The explosive customer reaction continued all through the year . By the end of this month , a total of 18 , 000 QM 3 cars are expected to be sold , more than double the original sales target of some 8 , 000 vehicles . “ The QM 3 is clearly a segment breaker showing a big success in Korea . Given Korea is an early adopter market , we consider the car can be popular in other Asian markets , too , ” said Renault Samsung Motors CEO Francois Provost at a news conference on Thursday in Seoul . “ We are studying about the localization of the QM 3 but it has not yet been decided so far , ” he added about the possibility of the car ’ s production in Korea . Park Dong - hoon , the carmaker ’ s senior vice president and sales chief , was also confident about the car ’ s sales next year along with the revamped version of the steady - seller SM 5 sedan . At a time when Korean drivers are increasingly turning their eyes to diesel - powered import cars , he said , the made - in - Spain QM 3 meets all the changing tastes . The QM 3 , a uniquely - styled compact crossover , is a diesel - powered model that boasts a competitive fuel efficiency of 18 . 5 kilometers per liter within its segment . The car also benefits from Renault Samsung ’ s abundant aftersales network of some 400 facilities nationwide , unlike other import models that suffer from a lack of service centers . Renault Samsung Motor CEO Francois Provost “ Hyundai Motor may have created the nation ’ s automotive market and we have also played in their league . But it is a time for us to create our own playground , ” said Park . “ The QM 3 is the starting point . ” He added that the carmaker plans to secure more QM 3 cars next year to reduce the waiting period of customers . Renault Samsung , the Korean unit of the France - based Renault Group , has seen a stunning recovery in sales this year . As of November , its domestic sales surged 33 . 7 percent to 69 , 640 vehicles from a year ago , while its exports increased 16 . 9 percent to 76 , 570 . The CEO declined to comment on next year ’ s sales target . “ For the midterm , we will grow at least 70 percent in sales by 2016 to regain the No . 3 position ( after Hyundai and Kia ) in the domestic market , ” he said , reaffirming the growth target announced by Renault Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn early this year . As part of the self - help program , the carmaker ’ s Busan plant has also started producing the Nissan Rogue since August . The carmaker plans to supply an annual 80 , 000 Rogue vehicles to the U . S . market by 2019 . With the added production , the plant hopes to elevate its annual output to some 190 , 000 vehicles from next year . By Lee Ji - yoon ( jylee @ heraldcorp . com ) 미래 엘리트 를 위한 영어 신문 주니어 헤럴드 	 더 많 은 기사 보 러 가 기 → [ 코리아 헤럴드 홈페이지 ] [ 트위터 ] [ 페이스북 ] 	 구독 신청 1588 - 0533 	 <ⓒ KoreaHerald ( www . koreaherald . com ) 무단 전재 및 재 배포 금지 >