The latest sales figures from automotive industry body ACEA show that Hyundai is, once again, the leading volume brand for sales growth in Europe in 2009. Published in the last week of December, ACEA's report indicates a rise of 46.8 per cent in Hyundai sales in November (to 28,162 units), ahead of the market increase of 26.6 per cent. In the year-to-date, Hyundai has achieved growth of 26.1 per cent (to 315,655 units) while the market has declined by 2.8 per cent.

Strong results throughout the first 11 months of 2009 pushed Hyundai's market share up to 2.4 per cent in Europe, some way ahead of the 1.8 per cent secured by the company in the same period last year. The marque's three biggest territories have all recorded exceptional growth in 2009: sales in the UK have doubled (up 100 per cent); Italy has seen an increase of 72 per cent; and in Germany Hyundai registrations are 27 per cent ahead.

Sales of the i-models have made a significant contribution to the firm's performance. Over 100,000 of the A-segment i10 have been sold so far in 2009, representing an 88 per cent improvement over last year. The i20 has driven up Hyundai B-segment sales by 28 per cent. Further up the range, the popular i30 has seen a sales increase of 50 per cent across the hatchback and estate variants.