Hyundai Motor calls on European dealers to boost sales

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. Chairman Chung Mong-koo called
Thursday on dealers in European markets to boost sales in spite of the darkening
industry environment.
"Boosting sales is the only way to get through the global economic crisis," a
statement from the company quoted as Chung saying.
Chung was speaking at a meeting with executives and dealers in Hyundai's regional
headquarters in Europe.
Hyundai, which forms the world's fifth-largest automaker together with its
affiliate Kia Motors Corp., suffered a 27 percent drop in auto sales last month
as the deepening global downturn hit consumers' big-ticket spending worldwide.
"We are going through the global recession, but we aren't the only one facing
challenges," Chung was quoted as saying.
Chung urged executives and dealers in Europe to create "unique and aggressive"
marketing plans to increase sales.
The 71-year-old chairman is on a five-day visit, with stops scheduled at
Hyundai's plants and sales offices in European countries, including the Czech
Republic, Germany and Russia scheduled.
Hyundai recently slashed output at its domestic plants by 30 percent during the
first-quarter of this year as the global downturn slackened demand for new
vehicles.
In a rare move, Hyundai hasn't set its 2009 sales target, citing a tough market
environment.
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