Hyundai Motor America Sets All-Time September Sales Record With 12 Percent Increase

COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America today announced sales of 52,051 vehicles in September, a 12 percent total sales increase compared with the same period a year ago, and a 16 percent retail sales increase over last September.

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"Finishing September with such strong momentum is no small feat, especially considering the disappointing economic climate," said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America's executive vice president of national sales. "Consumer demand remained strong, vehicle availability improved, and we've added yet another entry to our family of standard 40 MPG fuel economy vehicles with the all-new Veloster."  

Year to date, Hyundai sales are up 20 percent versus 2010 in total, and up 31 percent at retail.  Sales to fleet accounts represent 11 percent of the total sales year-to-date and just 10 percent for the month of September.  Thirty-seven percent of Hyundai vehicles sold in September achieved 40 MPG fuel economy ratings.

Santa Fe and Tucson, the heart of Hyundai's crossover line-up, registered sales increases of 67 and 36 percent, respectively.  Equus, the highest-ranking premium luxury car in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study, delivered another strong month and has already exceeded its first full-year sales target.

"The Veloster, our new 40-MPG 3-door sport coupe, hit dealerships in mid-September and American car-buyers weren't far behind," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America's president and CEO.  "We've delivered 838 Velosters to 838 happy owners in less than two weeks, with very strong demand from all parts of the country, and from all types of buyers."

Beginning this month, Hyundai Motor America will share both its average CAFE fuel economy results (these tie to the Federal standards) and its average Monroney (window label) results. CAFE fuel economy is based on data from fuel economy tests and does not include adjustments taken to reflect real-world driving conditions. These are used to set federal standards. Monroney (window label) fuel economy is what is shown on the vehicle window sticker.  It is calculated by taking data from fuel economy tests and applying adjustments which results in ratings that more accurately reflect what drivers will get in real-world driving. We're providing both sets of data to ensure that journalists, policy-makers, and consumers understand the significant differences between CAFE standard fuel economy values and real-world fuel economy values.  

"CAFE values, since they are unadjusted for real-world driving conditions, are more than 30 percent higher than the real-world adjusted fuel economy values shown on new car window stickers," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America's president and CEO. "It's important to continue to make this point so the dialogue around fuel economy standards, which are based on CAFE values and not real-world values, can be put into the appropriate context."

Hyundai achieved a record corporate average fuel economy level of 36.5 MPG in September, and 35.9 MPG for the year-to-date, while selling an industry-leading 19,373 vehicles (Elantra sedan, Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster) with 40 MPG window label highway fuel economy ratings.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee. 

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com

Journalists are invited to visit our news media website:  www.hyundainews.com

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America