Hyundai Motor America Reports 2017 December and Total Year Sales

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Propelled by standout months from Elantra (up 9 percent), Santa Fe Sport (up 28 percent) and Tucson (up 34 percent), Hyundai Motor America reported December sales of Hyundai- and Genesis-branded vehicles of 63,594, a 2 percent increase in comparison with December 2016 and the second highest December sales total in company history. Tucson again set an all-time monthly sales record, surpassing 11,000 units for the second consecutive month, while Elantra and Santa Fe Sport achieved their best December totals.

2017 Year End Sales
For the complete year, 685,555 Hyundai and Genesis branded vehicles were sold, a 12 percent decline from the all-time yearly sales record established in 2016. Annual sales were lower due in large part to a concerted effort to decrease fleet sales, which were down 31 percent on the year. Retail sales were down only 5 percent, despite a car-to-SUV mix inverse to the industry.

That mix is improving however, as Hyundai SUV sales set an all-time annual record with nearly 250,000 sold, a 12 percent increase over 2016. SUV sales represented 36 percent of total sales, the highest SUV mix in Hyundai history. The Hyundai Tucson saw the biggest model gain on the year, selling more than 100,000 units for the first time ever, an increase of 28 percent over 2016, while Santa Fe Sport was up 12 percent. Both the Tucson and the Santa Fe family set all-time annual sales records.

Sales by Brand

Hyundai Brand Highlights
"Hyundai and our dealers closed the year strong and we are one of the few companies to achieve a sales increase in December," said John Angevine, director, National Sales, Hyundai Motor America. "While our run of eight straight years of annual sales growth came to an end, we improved our SUV mix, reduced our fleet sales and have positioned ourselves for a rebound and quality growth in 2018."

Also during December, seven Hyundai models earned either an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (Santa Fe, Santa FE Sport) or Top Safety Pick (Ioniq Hybrid, Elantra, Elantra GT, Sonata, Tucson). Hyundai tied for the most total awards in one of the automotive industry's most recognized and rigorous vehicle tests.

The new year begins quickly for Hyundai with several significant product introductions in January. At the Consumer Electronics Show, Hyundai will introduce its all-new, next-generation fuel cell vehicle during a press conference on Jan. 8. One week later, at the North American International Auto Show, Hyundai will unveil its all-new Veloster and Veloster Turbo. Both press events will be livestreamed on Hyundai's YouTube channel.

Hyundai Model Sales

Genesis Brand Highlights
Genesis Motor America reported sales of 1,948 in December, a 12 percent increase compared with the previous year. Sales for the year totaled 20,594. December was the best month yet for the Genesis brand and G80 model line with sales of 1,542.

"December sales of G80, G80 Sport and G90 continued on trend that delivered our objective for the year – sales of 20,594," said Erwin Raphael, general manager, Genesis Motor America. "Moreover, 2017 saw the recognition of our efforts with varied accolades from esteemed third parties like J.D. Power, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, ALG, AutoPacific, Strategic Vision, GOOD DESIGN^®, Women's Choice Awards and ESPN Ruedas. We're excited to work with our dealers and partners to continue this momentum and deliver our clients the absolute best during our brand's second sales calendar year in 2018."

Genesis Model Sales

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America believes everyone deserves better. From the way we design and build our cars to the way we treat the people who drive them, making things better is at the heart of everything we do. Hyundai's technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to create a better experience for customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide and the majority sold in the U.S. are built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America