Hyundai Vice President Allan Rushforth awarded prestigious honour

Offenbach, July 16th 2010

Allan Rushforth, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Europe, has been named as the 2010 ‘Sales and Marketing Executive Eurostar’ by the continent’s leading motor trade website, Automotive News Europe.

The annual awards, which recognise excellence in the automotive industry, are regarded as a key benchmark of success and will be announced formally during a ceremony at this year’s Paris Motor Show. The winners are chosen from across Europe by the editors of the Automotive News Europe website.

Jason Stein, Automotive News Europe Publisher, said: "The 2010 Eurostars have succeeded despite the worst recession in decades. Hyundai Europe Vice President Allan Rushforth can look back on a job well done over the past year.

“Most volume automakers in Europe benefited from government incentives that encouraged car owners to swap old cars for new ones, but the Korean brand's success was spectacular. Hyundai was able to benefit from scrappage schemes in markets such as Germany, France and Italy, because in the two years since he joined Hyundai, Rushforth had laid solid foundations to increase the professionalism of the brand's sales, marketing and distribution activities,” observed Stein.

Hyundai has maintained the momentum gained from the various government incentives launched across Europe in 2009 by growing market share and sales volumes in the first six months of 2010. Hyundai sold 191.338 units in the first half of this year, a 10,2% increase over a year earlier, while market share stood at 2,6%, up from the 2009 full-year figure of 2,4%.

On receiving the award, Rushforth said: "I am delighted to have been named as the 2010 ‘Sales and Marketing Executive Eurostar’ by such a well-respected on-line publication. This award is a reflection of the hard work the entire company has put in over the past 12 months to boost brand awareness and grow sales volumes.

“Although the European car market is bracing itself for a difficult few months, we are cautiously optimistic as we will soon be entering our busiest-ever period for new product launches. We will bring 10 new models and derivatives to the European market – starting with the launch of our new B-MPV vehicle at the Paris Motor Show,” added Rushforth.

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