Hyundai beats full-year sales record with Q3 results

EIGHT STRAIGHT RECORD-BREAKING MONTHS

MARKHAM, ON, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. has been breaking sales records throughout 2009, and September was no exception to the trend. With 9,282 units sold in September, the company's total year to date sales volume reached 82,642 vehicles - surpassing its best ever annual sales volume by nearly 2.5 per cent.

The company's 25th anniversary in Canada was - until the end of September - the company's best year of sales on record. With over 80,600 units sold in 2008, the company closed its silver anniversary in style by surpassing its previous record-setting year by nearly 2 per cent. That previous record was set in 1985. The bulk of units sold that year were the legendary Pony; over 64 per cent of 1985 sales volume was through that well-known model.

"Welcome to the new Hyundai," said Steve Kelleher , president and CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "We've come a long way since we started doing business in Canada 25 years ago. Today, we're on consumers' radar because people are getting to know us for who we truly are: a hugely successful auto company with a fuel-efficient and award-winning line-up that offers smart value to customers. We truly are an automotive leader."

September sales were up year-over-year by more than 30 per cent. This marks the company's eighth straight record-breaking month and ninth consecutive month of sales increases. Ranked globally as the fourth largest automaker (behind only Toyota, GM and Volkswagen), Hyundai is Canada's sixth largest manufacturer by volume as of end-of-August figures. The brand as a whole is on the rise as well. J. D. Powers and Associates' recent Initial Quality Study(SM) ranked Hyundai as the top non-premium car company, and the brand moved up three places in Business Week/Interbrand's 2009 Best Global Brands survey, surpassing several well-known competitors such as Porsche, Lexus and Nissan.

While all Hyundai models are doing well this year, the Santa Fe has enjoyed particular success in 2009. Each month of the year has been the model's best ever, and September continued that trend. Selling 2,478 units, September 2009 was the Santa Fe's best on record and represented an increase of more than 70 per cent over September 2008 . The future is bright for this model as well, as the 2010 version brings to market a refreshed look and significant technical changes sure to please Canadian consumers: a four-cylinder engine and a six-speed transmission, two items that will positively impact the popular SUV's fuel economy.

    
    Quick Facts:
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    Month           2009        2008         % Change    Notes
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    January         4,607       3,874        + 18.9%
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    February        6,912       5,326        + 29.8%     Best February ever
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    March           8,818       7,029        + 25.5%     Best March ever
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    April           10,809      9,412        + 14.8%     Best April ever
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    May             11,204      9,508        + 17.8%     Best month on record
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    June            10,104      8,049        + 25.5%     Best June ever
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    July            10,488      7,611        + 37.8%     Best July ever
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    August          10,418      7,530        + 38.4%     Best August ever
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    September       9,282       7,095        + 30.8%     Best September ever
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                    September   September
    Nameplate       2009        2008         % Change    Notes
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    Accent          2,218       2,154        + 3.0%
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    Elantra         2,039       889          + 129.4%    Best September ever
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    Elantra Touring 830         -            N/A
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    Sonata          556         1,371        - 59.4%
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    Azera           19          47           - 59.6%
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    Genesis         84          51           + 64.7%
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    Genesis Coupe   226         -            N/A
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    Tucson          659         785          - 16.1%
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    Santa Fe        2,478       1,455        + 70.3%     Best September ever
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    Veracruz        114         119          - 4.2%
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Hyundai Auto Canada , established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 180 dealerships nationwide.

For further information: For interviews or additional information, please contact: Barb Pitblado, Manager, Public Relations, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., Office: [phone], Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected], www.hyundainews.ca