Hyundai Motor posts best ever October sales

Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea's largest automaker, posted its biggest global monthly sales ever in October, helped by higher demand for its fuel-efficient models.

Comparing October 2008 to October 2007, global sales rose 12% to 269,958 units, including overseas sales of 217, 223 units, highlighting Hyundai Motor Company's continued dedication to overseas sales and manufacturing. Accumulated sales for the first ten months of the year were up 8.9% from a year earlier to 2,330,617 units.

The overseas sales figure included a 10% increase in exports and a 27% increase in vehicles produced at the company's overseas plants. The figures for the two were 118,890 units and 98,333 units respectively. Overall, overseas sales rose 17% from a year earlier. Exports rose for all models in October as the company diverted more shipments overseas, due to tight supplies resulting from the mid year industrial action.

In advanced markets such as the United States, Western Europe and other developed nations, exports of the small to medium sized i10, Accent, and Elantra models increased significantly. Emerging markets such as the Middle East, Central America, Russia, and Africa experienced a broad increase in demand of models ranging from the small sized Getz to the Tucson compact SUV.

Regarding the emerging markets of India and China, the news was even more impressive: The i10 saw a huge sales increase of 66% in the Indian domestic market, whereas in China sales of the Elantra (Yuedong) increased by 21%.

These figures emphasise Hyundai Motor Company's sustained commitment to developing and exporting fuel-efficient small to medium sized cars around the globe, an approach which has been endorsed by consumers.