Hyundai Solaris tops foreign car sales in Russia

SEOUL, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co.'s Solaris subcompact became the best-selling foreign car in Russia in the first eight months of this year, eclipsing major rivals, industry data showed Friday.
According to the data by the Association of European Businesses (AEB), total sales of the Solaris reached 56,899 units as of late August, exceeding the 55,985 Renault Logans sold there.
The Solaris, which is produced in Hyundai's St. Petersburg plant, hit the Russian market in February. It became the No. 1 best-selling car in April, outselling the Logan and Ford Focus, its main rivals.
In August, its sales reached 7,589 units, fewer than the record 10,833 sold in June but still more than competitors.
The car is a localized version of Hyundai's popular Accent four-door sedan and is powered by either a 1.4-liter engine capable of producing 109 horsepower or a larger 1.6-liter unit with 124 horsepower.
The AEB said that at current pace, the Solaris may become the best-selling foreign model in Russia this year.
The data, meanwhile, showed that Hyundai, South Korea's largest automaker, was the third best-selling foreign brand in Russia last month with sales hitting 12,204 units. Its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. ranked second, after Chevrolet, with sales of 12,761 units.
Hyundai and Kia are flagship companies of Hyundai Motor Group, the world's fifth-largest automaker.