Record sales in Q1 bring higher market share for Hyundai

Offenbach, April 19th 2010

Sales of Hyundai cars hit a new European high in the first quarter of 2010, propelling the brand to a highest-ever European market share of 2,7%. The latest figures from ACEA show that Hyundai achieved sales of 100.758 units between January and March – the most sold in a single quarter since the company first imported cars to Europe in 1978.

The fast start to the year puts Hyundai on course to hit its annual market share objective of 2,75%, having grown share to 2,4% in 2009.

Among the leading models for Hyundai in the opening three months of 2010 were the C-segment i30 and the new ix35 compact SUV. The former had the most successful quarter since its launch in 2007, attaining sales of over 31.000 units. The ix35, meanwhile, has exceeded all expectations by recording more than 33.000 orders in its first month on sale – some 70% of the original full-year projection.

Quarter one also saw the introduction of the new Triple5 customer support package, comprising a comprehensive five-year warranty, five years’ roadside assistance, and a five-year vehicle health check program. The Triple5 package debuted on the ix35 and has since been extended to cover the upgraded i30 – known as i30u.

Allan Rushforth, Vice President at Hyundai Motor Europe, said, “It’s been a remarkable period for Hyundai, particularly for the i30 and ix35, putting us in a healthy position to achieve our full-year ambitions in Europe. The challenge now is to maintain momentum through the middle part of the year. We anticipate that our new ix35 will continue to attract strong interest and generate incremental sales, while aggressive marketing will sustain other key models in the Hyundai range.”