Hyundai bucking market trends with strong SUV sales

Hyundai Motor Europe last week announced an increase of 21% year-on-year on sales for July, adding 29,626 units to the cumulative result of 205,220 vehicles for the first seven months of 2004.

The generally positive sales climate for Hyundai vehicles in Europe makes Hyundai Motor Europe Hyundai's top export performer - putting the European market ahead of the United States and the Asia-Pacific region in relative terms.

"Our marketing and sales initiatives around our sponsoring of UEFA Euro 2004 definitely helped to increase showroom traffic," Werner H. Frey, vice-president Marketing, Sales and After Sales at Hyundai Motor Europe GmbH, said.

"We not only managed to get on the shortlist of potential new car buyers but also won out in the subsequent comparison, as evidenced by what are quite significant sales increases.

"On the one hand it is the increased awareness generated through our sponsoring activities that make people more familiar with the Hyundai car range. On the other, growing registration figures are increasingly making Hyundai a part of the scene on Europe's roads."

Hyundai has been a sponsor of top global football events since 2000, having kicked off with the UEFA Euro 2000 and later continuing with the FIFA World Cup 2002.

Hyundai's European vehicle sales decreased slightly in July compared to the 30,700 units delivered in June, but constituted the best July result in Hyundai's European sales history.

In absolute terms, the Getz dominated Hyundai's passenger car sales in Europe, with sales of 9,252 units.

Sales of SUVs were strong at 5,637 units, representing an increase of over 40% over plan. The Santa Fe remains the bestselling SUV, followed by the Terracan. In the months ahead, the Tucson is expected to strengthen sales in this segment even further.

Sales of MPVs were pushed by growing demand for the face-lifted Trajet, which translated into an aggregate result of 53,770 units for the months up to August.

Hyundai is the Grand Sponsor of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, providing the Olympic vehicle fleet needed for Athens 2004. In line with the objective of Athens 2004 to minimise air and noise pollution, the Olympic Village - as well as all competition and non-competition venues - will benefit from the use of environmentally friendly vehicles.