Hyundai aims to sell 1.32m vehicles in China in 2012

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai June 16) - The ongoing Expo 2012 in Yeosu, Korea provides a window to Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group's future projects. Among the 51 models it brought to the show, Hyundai displayed the new Tucson ix hydrogen fuel cell electric, Kia Ray electric vehicle and the Blue City compressed natural gas hybrid bus.

In its little over 40 year history, Hyundai has made significant strides in Western markets and brought Korea to the forefront of the global automobile industry. According to a Nanfang Daily report appearing earlier this week, Hyundai sold a total of 6.6 million vehicles last year, ranking fifth among the world's top selling manufacturers. Its sales target for this year is set a lofty seven million vehicles.

The Chinese market will play a more important role for Hyundai this year, with its 2012 sales goal set at 1.32 million vehicles. The anticipated sales amount is the third highest a foreign manufacturer has set for the country, only behind GM and VW. It also signifies that China will become Hyundai's largest market after North America.

Hyundai's research and development department has already opened a branch in China, which will communicate with its headquarters near Seoul and other centers in Japan, the US, Europe and India. The global reach of its R&D team will play a key role in aiding the manufacturer achieve its sales goals for this year.