Hyundai to launch revamped Sonata, i30 hatchback in China

(ATTN: ADDS Kia Motors, quote in final three paras)
SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's top automaker, said
Monday it will begin selling revamped versions of its Sonata sedan and i30
hatchback in China to win more sales in the world's only major growing car
market.
Hyundai will start selling the revamped Sonata and i30 in China from July and
September, respectively, the company said in a statement as it showed off the
two models at the Shanghai Auto show.
The company did not disclose sales targets.
Hyundai said it will make an effort to boost sales of small cars in China as the
Chinese government cut taxes on cars with an engine size of 1.6 liters or less in
January.
Early this year, Hyundai said its Chinese unit aims to lift sales by 22 percent
this year to 360,000 vehicles.
Despite shrinking demand for new vehicles worldwide, the Chinese automobile
market is expected to grow at a single-digit rate this year, analysts say.
In a separate statement, Kia Motors Corp., a unit of Hyundai, said it plans to
sell the revamped Sorento sport-utility vehicle in China in the second-half of
this year.
Lee Hyoung-keun, senior executive vice president at Kia, said the launch of the
revamped Sorento in China would help Kia boost global sales of its SUVs.
"Despite the current economic uncertainties, we are confident that New Sorento
will significantly increase Kia's share of the utility vehicle market, achieving
annual global sales of 140,000 units from 2010," Lee said in the statement.
(END)