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| Renault Samsung Motors' XM3, known as Arkana in Europe / Courtesy of Renault Samsung Motors |
By Kim Bo-eun
Renault Samsung Motors' XM3, known as Arkana in Europe, has been named Spain's car of 2022.
A total 12 models of global car brands were finalists for the honor. The new Renault Arkana was honored by the title in the contest which marks its 50th year, securing 16.52 percent of votes, based on evaluations by Spain's auto industry reporters and ABC News viewers.
Hyundai Motor's Tucson came in second, gaining 13.22 percent of the votes, and Audi's Q4 E-tron was third with 11.87 percent.
It is the first time in 25 years a Renault brand model has been selected as car of the year in Spain, which is the fifth-largest market in Europe. The Renault Megane took the honor in 1997.
The newest Arkana model was launched in European markets in June. A total of 52,488 models were sold in overseas markets as of the end of November. A total of 20,684 vehicles were sold in France, followed by 6,500 in Spain, 5,440 in Germany and 4,285 in Italy.
"We will continue to strengthen the new Arkana model and stabilize quality here and in global markets so that consumers increasingly opt for the model in 2022 as well," Renault Samsung Motors CEO Dominique Signora was cited as saying in a press release.
