Hyundai with 3 per cent increase in a weak 2005 car market
• European sales amount to 350,406 units
• Getz was best-seller, followed by Tucson and Atos
• 10 per cent sales increase expected for 2006
Rüsselsheim, January 17, 2006 – In a weak European car market Hyundai Motor Europe (HME), the European sales and marketing organization of Hyundai Motor Company, reports a 3 per cent sales increase in 2005, in a yearon-year comparison. More than 350,000 Europeans turned to Hyundai as their brand of choice, once again verifying Hyundai’s position as the third most popular Asian brand in Europe.
As in previous years, in 2005 the best-selling Hyundai vehicle in Europe was the Getz (101,125 units). This time it was followed by the Tucson SUV (62,114 units), and the Atos (38,519 units). Hyundai’s strong SUV position is highlighted
by the fact that total European SUV sales are above 100,000 units. Also, Hyundai managed to gain ground in Europe’s competitive D-segment, with the Sonata.
However, despite the good performance of specific models, Hyundai growth rates were lower in 2005 than in the past. HME Vice President Gerry Dorizas commented on the results by stressing that Hyundai, after many years of breathtaking annual sales increases, has reached a phase in which growth occurs slower than in previous years. “However,” said Dorizas, “this phase should be viewed as the calm before the storm, as we are preparing ourselves for another big leap in one or two years. We are currently improving our European sales and service structure and our competitiveness in terms of customer satisfaction, to be better prepared for a product offensive that will boost our sales from 2007 onwards.”
In 2007 Hyundai plans to launch new models in Europe that have the potential to surpass present sales volumes, giving the quantum leap. Already in spring of 2006 Hyundai will introduce its all new Santa Fe SUV, which has become more
appealing and with its all new design, functionality and technology, and, of course, Hyundai’s quality will be competing against other medium-size European-style SUVs.
As an outlook for 2006 Hyundai Motor Europe states a moderate sales increase of approximately 10 per cent. Hyundai plans to achieve it by capitalizing on the awareness the world cup sponsoring is generating among potential customers.
Also, Hyundai expects to conquer more shares in Europe’s fleet sales business, in which Hyundai currently holds a comparatively weak position.
Hyundai Motor Europe GmbH (HME) was established in 2000. Located in Rüsselsheim, Germany, it coordinates all marketing, sales and aftersales activities in all of Hyundai’s 26 European markets. It employs nearly 200 people of various nationalities. Hyundai is the third largest Asian automobile brand in Europe, with an annual European sales volume of approximately 350,000 vehicles. More information on Hyundai Motor Europe is available in the internet at http://www.hyundai-motor-europe.com.
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