Hyundai sells six figures for the first time ever

SURPASSES 100,000 UNITS IN BEST YEAR EVER

MARKHAM, ON, Jan. 5 /CNW/ - Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. recorded its best year ever in 2009, selling over 103,000 vehicles. This is the first time the company has sold more than 100,000 units, becoming only the sixth Canadian car company to reach this milestone. In a year that will be remembered for automotive sector struggles and unique corporate bailouts, Hyundai stands out in 2009 with a year of shattered sales records and tremendous growth.

With its December 2009 sales results over 37 per cent higher than those of December 2008 , Hyundai completed the year with a nearly perfect record: twelve straight months of double-digit increases and eleven straight "best months" in its 26-year history. The company surpassed its best year ever - recorded in 2008 - with its year-to-date September sales. With December sales of 5,154 vehicles, the company achieved an annual total of 103,233 vehicles sold, representing a year-over-year increase of 28 per cent.

"This has been an unforgettable year," said Steve Kelleher , president and CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "I'm elated to look back on 2009 and see a year of milestones achieved and sales records broken. Our market share growth is truly remarkable. It proves that Canadians are seeing us for who we truly are: a global automotive leader building not only high-value vehicles, but high-quality vehicles that look great. I've said before that there is a new automotive industry in Canada , and our results for 2009 make that clear. No longer is there a 'Big Three' or a ' Detroit Three' or what have you. There's a new 'Big Six,' and we're delighted to be a part of it."

Hyundai enjoyed many successes in 2009, including recognition as the top non-premium car company in J. D. Powers and Associates' 2009 Initial Quality Study(SM), and an upward hike of three places in Business Week/Interbrand's 2009 Best Global Brands survey, surpassing several well-known competitors such as Porsche, Lexus and Nissan. The industry's most-recent results (November) place Hyundai as Canada's sixth largest manufacturer by volume.

    
    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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    October       8,415       5,885       + 43.0 %      Best October ever
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    November      7,022       5,563       + 26.2 %      Best November ever
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    December      5,154       3,750       + 37.4 %      Best December ever
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    Nameplate    December    December       % Change           Notes
                     2009        2008
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    Accent            549       1,258        - 56.4%
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    Elantra         1,104         614       + 79.8 %
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    Elantra Touring   439           0            N/A
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    Sonata            790         353      + 123.8 %
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    Azera               3          10       - 70.0 %
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    Genesis            45          77       - 41.6 %
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    Genesis Coupe      78           0            N/A
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    Tucson            396         446       - 11.2 %
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    Santa Fe        1,666         740      + 125.1 %    Best December ever
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    Veracruz           83          96       - 13.5 %
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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