South Korea’s five domestic automakers have effectively completed this year’s labor negotiations after Hyundai Motor’s tentative wage and collective bargaining agreement won ratification on August 31, following settlements by GM Korea and KG Mobility in July and Renault Korea’s August 26 vote. Renault Korea signed its agreement at its Busan plant on the 8th after 15 negotiation rounds over approximately four months. The agreements reduce a labor risk that had weighed on earnings, but the companies face a difficult second half: combined August domestic and overseas sales fell 5.9% year over year to 589,412 vehicles, with domestic sales at 79,601 and exports down 1.2% to 508,702. Hyundai Motor’s global sales dropped 14.2% to 288,574, while Kia’s increased 5.0% to 266,675. The automakers are responding with hybrid and new-model launches, expanded brands, warranty improvements and overseas production or distribution plans, while proposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made automobiles add pressure to North American supply chains.