Hyundai-Kia sales up in U.S. market last year while competitors lose ground

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor America and its sister company Kia
Motor America saw sales increase last year in the U.S. market even as their
American and Japanese competitors slumped amid the worst recession in decades.

Hyundai sold 435,064 vehicles last year, up 8.3 percent from a year earlier, it
said in a statement. Kia's American market share rose 4.2 percent last year from
3.0 percent the year before.
Kia said it posted a 9.8 percent sales increase to 300,063 vehiles last year.
Ford, meanwhile, recorded a 15 percent sales decline last year to 1.62 million
vehicles and General Motors posted a sales reduction of 30 percent at 2.1 million
vehicles, according to industry sources. Chrysler sold 930,000 vehicles last
year, down 3.7 percent.
Japan's Toyota and Honda recorded falls in sales of 20 percent and 19 percent,
respectively, to 1.77 million and 1.15 million vehicles last year in the U.S.
market, the sources said.
Hyundai attributed its strong performance to the growing improvement in the brand
image of South Korean cars, boosted by its Genesis sedans, Hyundai assurance
programs that provide trade-in bonuses, and a gas lock price protection program
to weather the aftermath of the Cash for Clunkers program, which ended in August
after a one-month run.
The Genesis won the "Car of the Year" award at the Detroit Auto Show and several
other prizes.
The South Korean automaker hopes a continued sales increase this year with its
new sports utility vehicle Tucson and Sonata sedan models as well as introduction
of its flagship luxury sedan Equus.
hdh@yna.co.kr
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