Hyundai-Kia Break Another Monthly Sales Record, Must Boost Production To Do It Again

by Edward Niedermeyer

Published: August 4th, 2010

hyundai kia break another monthly sales record must boost production to do it again

Another month, another sales record for Hyundai/Kia. At this point, it’s getting tough to expect anything else. Elantra took top honors for the Korean concern last month, as Hyundai USA CEO John Krafcik confirms that sales of the new Sonata and the Santa Fe are both capacity restrained at this point. Krafcik tells Automotive News [sub] that an undisclosed US production capacity increase is in the works, as Hyundai is selling Sonata and Santa Fe faster than they can build them. Soul and Sorento are hitting their stride for Kia as well, with the Soul cresting 8k units last month and the Sorento topping 9k. But perhaps one of the best signs that Hyundai/Kia are in a good place is that only the aging Accent failed to beat its Cash-for-Clunker-driven July 2009 number. We’ll see what happens next month, but further out, Krafcik tells AN [sub] that Hyundai is targeting a 50 MPG fleet average for 2025. Even with no plans to sell pickups in the US, Hyundai’s prospects look bright in this market.

#Hyundai #Kia #NewCars #Sales

Edward Niedermeyer

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3 of 22 comments

Obbop on Aug 04, 2010

As economy continues its inevitable decline I believe a demand and need for an el cheapo basic cargo van-type conveyance that allows the new working-poor class newly-homeless to at least have a protected place to sleep... even if the vehicle is used only as a bedroom while parked near a house/apartment whatever where a kitchen/bathroom etc. are available. An extra-cost long-wheel base model for those without access to facilities to allow room to carry/use camping toilet and extra storage would also find a market, I believe. No way for me to offer proof here but I remain convinced the USA mass media has and is woefully failing to convey life realities for many USA residents to the masses of USA denizens. So many USA folks are isolated and unaware of the realities a LARGE number of their fellow citizens are facing and how those number are growing despite the propaganda declaring otherwise.

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- Toad on Aug 04, 2010
  
  The newly homeless whatever are not buying new cars to sleep in. Seriously, your meds need adjusting. People all over the world like value, and right now Hyundai/Kia are delivering, just like Honda did in the 1980's and Toyota did in the 1990's. I used to drive luxury cars (loved Infiniti's) and can still afford one, but our next grocery getter may well be a Kia Soul and if we are smart we'll keep it for 10 years. That is the new paradigm for a lot of people, and that is not a bad thing.
  
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Geo. Levecque on Aug 05, 2010

Listening to a Car Show this past Sunday evening here in Ontario Canada, one Lady called the Show to ask what she could do with her 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe which was on her third Transmission, her vehicle still in dealers Garage! The answer from the Host said that dealers don't have the time to check out defects, but would rather replace the whole Transmission than spend the time looking for defects! Here in Canada we don't have a Lemon Law like in many of the USA States, what a mess!

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