Surprise! Hyundai Sales Up 14 Percent, Kia up 3.5 Percent
People who did buy cars last month were clearly shopping for value, and Hyundai/Kia rode its rep to sales increases in a month of market contraction. Hyundai was the biggest winner in the US market last month, with overall sales rising 14 percent, to a sales total of 24,512 units. Hyundai’s press release highlights strengths in the firm’s eastern sales district (reportedly up 20 percent over January 2008), and positive reactions to its Assurance program. On the product front, Sonata sales lead the way, up 85 percent in a month when Accord/Camry/Malibu competitors dropped 30 percent or more. And with BMW selling only 23 7-series in January, Hyundai’s Genesis was a recession-level hit with 1,056 sales. Santa Fe was up 35 percent, and at 5,024 units sold it was Hyundai’s second best-selling nameplate. Kia sales were up 3.5 percent, with Rio (+60 percent), Optima (+75 percent) and Rondo (+90 percent) making up for decreases elsewhere.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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It's been awhile since a co-worker bought a new vehicle. Today, one proudly told me she bought a new Rondo. She said something about a 2-week wait and having to "settle" for red.
Hyundai/Kia buying market share??? HELL YEAH! I like it! I will totally give cash to a company who doesn't mind undercosting the crap outta the comp. Am I the only one who thinks that there is no real reason to own a Korean car? Everything they do is done better by some one else. Unless cost or their smoke and mirrors warranty really gets your junk hard some one explain to me why one would buy Korean?
This is a statement of how poor our economy is. "Things are so bad that I bought a Kia/Hyundai." Once things improve I can do better.
One of these days Hyundai is going to finally get the respect it deserves. Considering where they started 10 years ago and are today in the US market I think they have done a remarkable job. Do they make the best, fastest, most economical cars? maybe not, but they are probably the best value with a long warranty. Call Hyundai the right car at the right time.