HMA posts 45.9 pct monthly increase rate amid signs of economic recovery

By Hwang Doo-hyong

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor America said Tuesday its monthly sales surged greatly in November amid signs of economic recovery from the worst recession in decades.

HMA's November sales rose 45.9 percent on-year to 28,047 vehicles, bringing to
401,269 the total sales for the first eleven months of this year.
This year's accumulated sales figure represents a 6.2 percent surge from 377,705
a year earlier, at the beginning of the economic downturn.
Sonata sedans and Santa Fe sport utility vehicles led the increase with sales of
8,178 sedans, up 52 percent, and 6,564 SUVs, up 53.3 percent.
Ford, Toyota and other competitors are expected to record a modest increase of
several percentage points in November, according to industry sources.
HMA also attributed the sales increase to the growing improvement in the brand
image of South Korean cars, boosted by its Genesis sedans, which won the "Car of
the Year" award at the Detroit Auto Show and several other prizes.
hdh@yna.co.kr
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