Hyundai sets new sales record
November 7, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker, posted its biggest global monthly sales ever this October.
Year-on-year global sales are up 12 percent while accumulated sales for the first ten months of this year were up 8.9 percent from 2008, with some 2,330,617 units sold.
The overseas sales figure included a 10 percent increase in exports and a 27 percent increase in vehicles produced at the company’s overseas plants. The figures for the two were 118,890 units and 98,333 units respectively. Overall, overseas sales rose 17% from a year earlier – and this despite the company’s mid-year industrial action and the overall global economic downturn.
Emerging markets in India and China helped fuel sales with the i10 seeing a 66 percent increase in the Indian domestic market, whereas in China sales of the Elantra (Yuedong) increased by 21 percent.
These figures emphasise Hyundai’s sustained commitment to developing and exporting fuel-efficient small to medium sized cars around the globe, an approach which has been endorsed by consumers.
CarAdvice has an extensive range of reviews on Hyundai models including the i30, iLoad, iMax, Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Granduer and Santa Fe which can be found by clicking here.
Print it: 
I bet a lot of other car makers would like a good news story like this.
Cheers !
Watch out Toyota!
Gee those Iloads are such a good thing!
Good on Hyundai. However while not taking anything away from them, they do have a long way to go before they can seriously threaten the BigT. Toyota is projecting sales this year of 8.24 million vehicles while Hyundai’s total sales so far stand at 270,000. To put it into perspective, with Hyundai’s year-on-year total sales of 2.3 million vehicles, Toyota’s projected sales for the year are almost 4 times the number of cars that Hyundai has produced since inception.
Gotta agree REALCARS……if Frugal One gets on here with his frumpy grumpy comments then he will say opposite!
Well done to Hyundai, their brand image is certainly changing and it’s probably the only thing that’s holding them back from even better results.
One thing I don’t understand is why visitors of this site seem to have a soft spot for Hyundai yet at the same time rag on Toyota for making bland boring cars. In my opinion both manufacturers are guilty of this yet only one cops the flak.
Hey Rofly, they’re just as guilty as Toyboata for building Fisher & Paykels on wheels.
oops… forgot to finish my point
…and I always make sure Hyundai cop plenty of flak as well.
Whilst Toyota and Hyundai build bland and boring cars.. Toyota more so than Hyundai.
The reason Toyota cops considerably more flak than any other make with equally bland and boring cars is because the handful of Toyota fans on this site continually go on and on about how good Toyotas [supposedly] are compared to other cars.
Even if the cars that aren’t even in the same class as them; or costs 2-3 times more than them the Toyota is always better.. to them a Yaris is far more superior than a Konigsiegg.
Should anyone disagree with them the Toyo-philes start hurling abuse and personal insults [which is now banned under the code of conduct]. They don’t like it when fans of any other make [they do exist you know] come back at them the Toyo-philes say “hey everyone is entitled to their opinion” …. yeah so long as its the same as theirs.
Hyundai offers value that’s the difference and are have also forced the rest to improve warrantee and equipment levels which is good no matter what u end up buying.
So far I’ve got to agee with all of you. Well done to Hyundai. Whilst their cars may be considered white goods by those looking for soul in the motoring, at least Hyundai have never denied that they want to be regarded that way. How many of you don’t use a fridge every day?
I would really love to see Hyundai continue in this manner as my dealing with them have always been pleasent with no feeling of arrogance. They will knock Toyota over and it wont take them half a century.
Wheelnut Says:
November 7th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
“Whilst Toyota and Hyundai build bland and boring cars.. Toyota more so than Hyundai.”
Some facts please – list the vehicle categories where Toyota is even blander and more boring than a Hyundai…
“The reason Toyota cops considerably more flak than any other make with equally bland and boring cars is because the handful of Toyota fans on this site continually go on and on about how good Toyotas [supposedly] are compared to other cars.”
So do Holden and Ford fans – I made a few accurate comments about the G6ET a few weeks ago and people kept posting day after day in anger, like I’d wounded their pride.
“Even if the cars that aren’t even in the same class as them; or costs 2-3 times more than them the Toyota is always better.. to them a Yaris is far more superior than a Konigsiegg.”
Again, Holden and Ford fans are exactly the same – you only need to read some of the comments on the blogs.
“Should anyone disagree with them the Toyo-philes start hurling abuse and personal insults [which is now banned under the code of conduct]. They don’t like it when fans of any other make [they do exist you know] come back at them the Toyo-philes say “hey everyone is entitled to their opinion” …. yeah so long as its the same as theirs.”
Do I have to say it again?? I can cut and post some of the inane comments too if you wish? (Thankfully the redneck comments made by some of the illiterate Holden and Ford supporters have been deleted from what I can see.)
Reading these blogs clearly shows most of the posters have some sort of bias against a particular make or model of vehicle.
I just read your comments on some of the other blogs – blatant bias against Toyota and Lexus. You obviously have an issue with the comments posted about Toyota and Lexus by their fans – why no comments about the Holden or Ford fans?
The VW (or is it porsche vw) fanboys are not much better on here. Greatest cars on earth those VWs.
All you guys who say both Hyundai and Toyota build bland and boring cars are correct. The difference is that Toyota is getting even more bland and boring and Hyundai is doing the opposite. The lines are crossing about now, and within three years or so Hyundai will probably be threatening Honda for interesting, then after that, what next?
There was one particular Toyota fan from Queensland who used to be on this site but has since been banned because of his offensive comments personal insults etc and is now infecting drive.com.au
He was of the opinion that because he owns 2 Toyotas and works on Toyotas on a mine site that everyone else every farmer chippie brickie sparkie and miner drives a Toyota.
There were times when he would call a particular magazine that someone referred to to support their case as “non -reputable”…. despite the fact that he himself referred to the same mag in another blog to support his case
However; when asked to provide evidence/proof to support his claims he would usually refer to 2-3 year old [o'seas] surveys despite the fact that surveys are subjective not objective as it depends on how both the questions are worded asked interpreted answered – answers which are often manipulated inorder to achieve a preset result
Most of us would try to talk about a particular car be it Peugeot VW or Porsche whatever in a polite and civilised manner discuss the good and bad points etc
Yet in the majority of instances he was the first to take a particular blog off topic.. often with a comment like “Nice car but nothing compared to the Toyota….”
“They obviously copied Toyota….” etc.
Which gave the impression that even though he called himself a Car enthusiast he knew virtually nothing about cars unless it was a Toyota… he stated several times that he knew more [than most of us] about Ford Holden and other makes but never backed it up in his comments as he was always negative and always on the offensive.
He even used several aliases/split personalities to try and support his narrow-minded ignorant views… His comments were based more on his experiences than facts
I don’t have anything against Toyota they do make relatively good cars [particularly in relation to 4x4s] but this particular person made it as though Toyota was the only car company in the world the only car in the world etc and was reluctant to admit/accept that Toyota have thier problems and there are cars that are proven to be better value for money better performance and more reliable etc…. that is all
Who cares – I buy Hyundai because they offer value, and for the money you get a lot more car than Toyota. Also every newish Toyota (mainly HiLux and Camry – and a few different examples’ have had quality issues. If Toyota are the best, I’d hate to see the worst! For transport at a value price, personally I think Hyundai are better, and are getting better faster every year.
Hi,
Congrats! Hyundai cars are really stylish. Their performance is excellent.Photos are really attractive.
Hyundai’s unique style and performance make their cars outstanding. I buy Hyundai because of their good offers and price as well.
The big thing that everyone should take note of is how quick Hyundai are to learn from everyone elses mistakes. Considering they were regarded as a joke when Mr bond started to import them in 87, then during the 90’s they swamped the market with the funky looking X3 Excel. now at the grand old age of 21 (Australian market) they are actually becoming a serious contender for New car Buyers, they aren’t just being shopped against used cars or for the (no offence & talking stereo typical only) Blonde Barbie Girl wanna-be to do her make up in…..
However for them to grow to GM/VW/Toyota size they would have to expand into proper 4wd’s etc. To become established in that market will take some time.
At the moment they are only really selling regular cars, vans and small numbers of soft roaders.
Roflmatic – why would a car company that doesn’t currently have a “proper 4×4″ in its line-up suddenly decide to develop and release a “proper 4×4} given that the “proper 4×4″ market is shrinking quicker than an eskimo’s appendage? not only in Australia but in the USA and Europe as well
^^^ because it is still a large market. SUV sales in the US may be in decline but year to date they are still over one million units. Not to mention the 1.7 million pickups and 1.8 million cross overs. If they aren’t in these markets it hard to see how they will increase their sales past VW & Toyota.
Wheelnut – that was just one guy… apart from “Dingo” I have seen many more Holden and Ford supporters
Anyway, I own a Toyota (Prado Grande) and a BMW (335i Coupe), both great for different purposes. In the current market the only Toyota’s I would buy are the four wheel drives, there is too much choice in the small and medium segments to justify a Corolla or Camry.
Wheelnut – that was just one guy… apart from Toyota’s fanboy “Dingo” I have seen many more blindly patriotic Holden and Ford supporters.
Anyway, I own a Toyota (Prado Grande) and a BMW (335i Coupe), both great for different purposes. In the current market the only Toyota’s I would buy are the four wheel drives, there is too much choice in the small and medium segments to justify a Corolla or Camry.
So true CB,
Also the funny thing is, nobody ever from the falcodre fanclub beat him in a debate.
Also, got to say Wheelnut seems to be much more fascinated with then toyotas then dingo ever was!! Even now, No matter what the topic, wheelnut ALWAYS brings in Toyota in a negative light!!
Wheelnut, no offense, but that borders on mental illness!!
Tomas79 – Get real… I have never changed the topic so that we end up talking /arguing about Toyotas… I merely reply to other bloggers comments..which as we all know is something D—0 was renowned for…
Many of us often tried to talk about the article but as the article didn’t have anything to do with Toyota; D—o thought we were ignoring him which made him launch into another round of personal insults.
It was only when he realised he was wrong or losing the arguement that he would ask us to go back on topic
I’d only ever metnion Toyotas’ after someone else introduced it or the article had something to do with Toyota.
As for seeing Toyota in a negative light…hah. I admit Toyotas do make good cars particularly 4×4s but what people like D—O failed to realise is that [believe it or not] there are other cars that are just as good if not better than the Corolla Camry or Aurion – in terms of design performance handling safety engineering build quality reliability and value for money.
He always saw Toyota as the innovators not the imitators yet they have copied [stolen] as many ideas etc from other people as Holden and Ford have.
As I said if he was a car enthusiast [as he claimed to be] why was it that he never managed to stay on topic when the articles weren’t about Toyota?
BTW – Tomas79 Have you read the CA COde of Conduct yet and if so do you understand it…? particularly the part about personal insults
As for me being Biased towards Holden… I know quite alot about them because I grew up in Adelaide and I have several mates who work in head office; in the factory; and in dealerships.
I currently own a Subaru Impreza RS; my Fiance [as many people on here know] owns a BMW M3 and we are looking at getting a Volvo T-5 AWD Wagon – as our family car
And yes I am getting a Holden VE Ute…. NOT because it’s a Holden but because its a Holden but because I believe its the best car in its class that’s most suitable to my needs as I am starting up a mobile car detailing business.
The market is shrinking but it will always exist Wheelnut.
People will acclimatise to the new levels of petrol prices.
It’s just like the petrol price hikes in the 70’s; big 4wds took a pounding (think leyland) but over the years they have recovered.
It’s clearly going to be easier to become the biggest seller of vehicles when you make a diverse range and thus can appeal to a large target market than focusing on only a segment of the market (ie small cars).
That’s not to say it can’t be done.
Though I’m sure tall poppy syndrome will kick in anyway when Hyundai climbs higher up the ladder.
Realcars summed up the difference between toyota and hundai early in the peace with this one
QUOTE……….
“Hyundai offers value that’s the difference”
CB,
good to see you never returned to that G6ET post you speak of once you ended up looking like a fool.
3 cheers for taking it like a man!!!
Andrew M Says:
November 8th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
“Realcars summed up the difference between toyota and hundai early in the peace with this one
QUOTE……….
“Hyundai offers value that’s the difference””
Not in the off road segment.
“CB, good to see you never returned to that G6ET post you speak of once you ended up looking like a fool.
3 cheers for taking it like a man!!!”
Actually no one responded to my final post – perhaps you and your simpleton friends realised the G6ET was not the true “luxury” car it would like to be.
BTW, the latest Mitsu Evo review states the Evo gets xenons AND heated seats… all this in a humble lancer eh? There are no excuses for Ford mate.
Im sure fors excse is that we dont need heated seats in our climate in that case where are the cooled seats?.Where are the diesel engines.The XF has one.Where is all of the cool tech
Tomas79 Says:
November 8th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
So true CB,
Also the funny thing is, nobody ever from the falcodre fanclub beat him in a debate.
Ha ha ha ha ha. That joke made my morning.
Never yet seen a debate on here or drive where dingo wasn’t outclassed. He only ever “wins” a debate by getting over abusive and off topic.
its BS, because there are as much Ford and Holden nut huggers as Toyota nut huggers.
And I would love to see someone justify a Yaris over a Koenig…
Yup.. none, its all smokescreen, ammo, made up ammo too.
Kudos to Hyundai, yes they have improved. But you want to know why? Because they are basically replicating Toyota in terms of almost everything, I worked in the US as an engineer and you should see the amount of recruiting Hyundai is doing for Toyota, Mazda, etc engineers.
They are lietrally “copying” Japanese manufacturers, which is good, because I’d be worried if they were copying US manufacturers…
And Toyota, yes bland… lol, again only here in Australia. Seriously, take a look at their cars where the market actually is worth catering for… Australia’s market is tiny and the majority of it doesnt appeal to “interesting” and “sporty”….. Australians want a reliable A to B…. show me the sales figures for sporty coupes and “sporty” sedans and I’ll show you 100:1 ratio of family sedans and small hatches…
Again, people here are delusional. Our chief engineer(s) will never spend a billion dollars in planning alone to produce an “exciting” car for the Australian market when no one buys them….
Customers and fans = Dont know jack in the end….
CB,
you fell on your A*se when you bagged the falcon for not having “Lane change assist”, yet were unable to even describe what such a feature was.
(P.S. does anyone know if the lane change assist in the falcon is adjustable??)
then you went on to tell a tale of how a 45K G6E doesnt have the features compliment of $80K Euros. WOW!!!!
so you pay half the price and get a few less features???
Im sure those with learning difficulties can even comprehend that
Oh,
and hyundai does have vehicles in the off road section.
and yep,
they are better priced and specced
there you go again,
how much is the lancer??
and how uncomfortable are they???
as already said,
who wants heated seats in australia???
i bet the A/C in the lancer isnt up to the same standard as the falcon A/C
and xenons,
the falcons lights have been commented on as the best. and that is even when pitched against those that offer xenons
no point in being sold on some fancy mumbo jumbo if its not better
The intellectual Andrew M is back!
“CB, you fell on your A*se when you bagged the falcon for not having “Lane change assist”, yet were unable to even describe what such a feature was.(P.S. does anyone know if the lane change assist in the falcon is adjustable??)”
I actually wrote in the G6ET blog “look up the description on the Audi or BMW websites – just don’t check the Ford website because a description won’t be given for about 10 years.”
“then you went on to tell a tale of how a 45K G6E doesnt have the features compliment of $80K Euros. WOW!!!!
so you pay half the price and get a few less features???
Im sure those with learning difficulties can even comprehend that”
But you’re one of the brainiacs saying the G6ET is a luxury car… it doesn’t even have basic features found in seven year old Euros or Japanese vehicles…
“Oh, and hyundai does have vehicles in the off road section. and yep, they are better priced and specced”
And they perform better than a 200 series or 70 series LandCruiser off road do they?
“there you go again, how much is the lancer?? and how uncomfortable are they??? as already said, who wants heated seats in australia??? i bet the A/C in the lancer isnt up to the same standard as the falcon A/C”"
If Mitsubishi can fit these items in a low volume car, there is no excuse why Ford can’t.
“and xenons, the falcons lights have been commented on as the best. and that is even when pitched against those that offer xenons”
Where’s the proof? Show me one respected publication that says halogens are better than xenons? Or is it hot air again?
You’re just opening a can of worms again mate. And I’m still wondering if your XR6 is pink, orange or bright green…
Bret Says:
November 10th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Tomas79 Says:
November 8th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
So true CB,
Also the funny thing is, nobody ever from the falcodre fanclub beat him in a debate.
Ha ha ha ha ha. That joke made my morning.
Never yet seen a debate on here or drive where dingo wasn’t outclassed. He only ever “wins” a debate by getting over abusive and off topic.
I know Bret; made me laugh too. I guess it shows that Tomas does actually have a sense of humour [who would have guessed]
On Drive; Seats and a Steering Wheel and Bones are constantly showing others how ignorant arrogant naive and ill-informed D—O really is.
Yet as they say “none are so blind as those who don’t want to see”
Ill say my XR6 is pink because i know you love guys in pink.
(Im not allowed to say who told me that, I promised)
for the record you didnt pass me to the BMW or Audi site, and if you did it still demonstrated your skill of dodging a question in which you knew nothing about.
I know what the feature is, but it was and still is funny to watch you avoid what should be such easy questions.
sure the lancer may be low volume, but its high price tag
No, hyundai doesnt have vehicles that are better than a 200 or 70 series, but they do have off road vehicles that are well priced for the specs arent they?
Proof???
I believe this very site commented on the greatness of the falcons lights.
Ill even link you to this site if you like…….
“best ever high beam” or something like that..
oh,
and carry over switch gear from BA to FG was another you couldnt spit out after being vocal about it.
its your choice to dislike aussie made vehicles, but to tell lies is another thing
Can’t get enough can you…
“Ill say my XR6 is pink because i know you love guys in pink. (Im not allowed to say who told me that, I promised)”
Clearly comedy at its best…
“for the record you didnt pass me to the BMW or Audi site, and if you did it still demonstrated your skill of dodging a question in which you knew nothing about.”
Don’t lie, I did tell you to check out their site. Read the blog again.
“I know what the feature is, but it was and still is funny to watch you avoid what should be such easy questions.”
Sure you did mate.
“sure the lancer may be low volume, but its high price tag”
You can get xenon’s in cars costing $15K less than the G6ET, no excuse.
“No, hyundai doesnt have vehicles that are better than a 200 or 70 series, but they do have off road vehicles that are well priced for the specs arent they?”
Off road isn’t about dirt tracks – off road is the best the Pilbara or Kimberly have to offer. And I like many Aussies wouldn’t venture out there in anything from Hyundai’s range.
“Proof??? I believe this very site commented on the greatness of the falcons lights. Ill even link you to this site if you like……. “best ever high beam” or something like that..”
Sure, send me the link… I hope it’s not the same review that also says the car is “handsome”, because it’s not.
You are definately in politics.
you have the knack to dance your way in, out and around what ever it is to give yourself the dominance in the conversation
and then the lies bit…….
Yep, definately politics.
Not in the US.
Not really.
Hyundai is 3% of the US market.
If you check the numbers. Hyundai is actually seeing a 3 year decline in ‘January’ sales.
Hyundai sold more cars in Jan 2007 then either Jan 2008 or Jan 2009.
Dec 2008 sales were off by 48%.