Hyundai Motor sales rise in China

Hyundai Motor Co. said Sunday its monthly sales surpassed the 70,000 mark last month in China, the world’s most populous market.

The automaker sold 73,122 vehicles last month, compared with 60,828 units a month earlier. It was the first time Hyundai Motor’s monthly sales exceeded 70,000 units in China.

In the first nine months of the year, sales reached 510,500 vehicles in China, Hyundai officials said, adding that sales are likely to reach 670,000 units for all of 2010.

Hyundai attributed the growth largely to its newly released models, such as the New Verna and the ix35, which appeal to young Chinese car buyers. The New Verna sold a total of 9,776 units in September, only a month after its release in China, showing signs of becoming a steady seller for Hyundai Motor along with the Yuedong and the Elantra. Yonhap