Hyundai sales go Nuts in Australia

By Anthony Crawford | March 04th, 2010

If you don’t see 10 Hyundai branded cars on the road each day, then I’d be prepared to quit this job tomorrow.

With unit sales of 7,208 cars in February alone, it’s not hard to see why I’ll probably be keeping my job for many years to come.

The result is also Hyundai’s best ever sales ranking since the company started selling cars in Australia in 1986. Their market share has risen to a sizeable 8.8 percent and the forecast is that it will keep on driving north.

In a market that has grown 17 percent year-on-year, Hyundai has been the standout player with an overall increase in sales of a staggering 73.6 percent.

The hugely successful iLoad van, which has clearly become the tradesmen’s favourite, is now the number one selling van in this highly competitive segment. With February sales of the model topping out at 657 units, market share has exploded to 33.7 percent.

And the story is even better than that, with the iMax now ranked second in the people mover segment and a market share of 23.6 percent.

Similarly, the i30 posted sales of 2,926 cars for the month of February, which gave the model a 15.6 percent market share.

In the highly competitive light car segment, Hyundai’s Getz was ranked number one sales of 1,927 cars sold.

And the big picture looks just as good with global sales for the month of February totaling 250,995 meaning a 23.4 percent increase over 2009.

Moreover with the launch of the i20 hatch and i45 mid-sized sedan during the first half of this year, things are certain to hot up even further for Hyundai.

Even once die-hard skeptics of the Korean powerhouse are now walking into Hyundai dealerships to find out what all the fuss is about. And if they should take a test drive, chances are, they may well drive out in their very own Hyundai.

Shak

I cant belive they took top spot from Ford in February. That just goes to show that our locals just dont get the market like the Koreans do. No one is telling them they dont want large cars. They do want large cars. They just want them to be lighter and more fuel efficient. And a Decent small car from both would be nice.

HyundaiSmoke

Ummmm…. they have decent small cars mate. Where have you been? As a matter of fact thei small cars are more farther along development than their big cars. Ther big cars are nothing yet compared to what they hve in store. The small cars just need GDIs, Hybrids, and premium interiors and they are ready. At least in the States we are ahead in most categories that matters in buying a small car. Id say Hyundai small cars here are smack dead in the middle between premium small cars and Econo Boxes. I know in the Euro Zone Hyundai does have a way to go to please those guys on the small car front.

Its going to take forever for Hyundai to develop those Bi Turbo V12 Engines neccessary for its future image however.

Hyundai is lucky your Economy is still doing good. The highest gain here ever in sales has been like 63%, and that was during Cash for Clunkers month. Sales this month only went up 11%, as many people know everything Hyundai sells is in the process of getting replaced over the next 12 months. Well that doesnt stop people from buying Accent and Santa Fe, as those are the only 2 old models that are still seeing sales gains.

That Accent and Genesis are the only 2 cars Hyundai sells in the States that are always in the top 2 or 3 in sales for their respective classes. The other stuff they make doesnt even come close.

With the way Accent has been solidly red hot here in the past 18 months, if push came to shove Hyundai can squeeze another 12-18 months out of it before replacing it.

Shak

Our locals have the Corolla, Focus and Cruze i wouldnt call them up to golf standards just yet, which is what i was trying to say.

Hung Low

When the Golf is as equipped and priced the same, then your statement could be true.

Golfschwein

When you find a six year old Elantra with 6 airbags, 6 speed manual or auto boxes, ABS, traction control, cruise control, auto dimming mirror, heated exterior mirrors, cooled console bin and glove box, auto wipers, auto headlights, head rests all round, beam adjustment and multilink independent rear, your own statement will absolutely be true, Hung Low!

All of the above is what a Mk V Golf Comfortline has. Mk VI – more again.
Golfschwein

I’m not rubbishing Hyundais, by the way. They’re cheaper, but there’s less to them, as well. Pays yer money, makes yer choice, etc etc
Hung Low

Six years ago that Golf would buy almost two Elantras, apart from the safety features, fluff like cooled consoles, dimming mirrors etc are not necessities in a small car that people need to pay thousands more for!
Golfschwein

Sure. No mention there of the more substantial stuff, I see. If that’s not important to you, go the Hyundai. That’s what they’re there for. That’s what choice is all about. But here’s a pernickety question: do you pay by choosing a Golf with its greater engineering and safety depth, or do you really pay by choosing an Elantra, even if you spend half as much? For me, the latter.
Hung Low

I mentioned safety features i.e substantial stuff!
Give it a break you sound like a VW sales pitch! What is the Golfs excuse for its prices today when the other small and large cars (Maxima, Accord etc)have the same safety features and are as well equipped built and engineered?
Golfschwein

Its pricing is actually very reasonable for the tech, safety and features you get. Describe how it isn’t.
Hung Low

I already did in my last comment!
Golfschwein

You didn’t really. And let’s face it, neither of us is going to. I can’t be bothered, principally. Both of us have our opinions, perceptions and notions of value, which aren’t going to change.

Let’s call it a night. I’m going to make a Scrabble move!
HyundaiSmoke

The i20 is the beginning of the Hyundai Golf era Mate.
Andronicus

The beginning of the Hyundai Golf era?

That’s ambitious. No doubting that Hyundai have improved considerably from the tinny models few years back but at end of the day they are still just making cheap cars. Lets not forget why so many people are buying them – value for money. They do everything that is required well at the right price but if you are looking for something with a little more… panache, then your not getting a Hyundai.

Personally I really like the new styling cues Hyundai (and Kia) are starting to filter through and I’m very interested in watching the company continue to improve BUT I still wont be buying a Hyundai any time soon and it’s for the same reason I wont buy a Kia or a Toyota. I want something that’s a little more interesting to me, something with a little more class. May sound snobbish but I would prefer to pay the extra bucks and get something that I dont have to explain why it is such a good purchase and why I bought it when my mates come round for a BBQ. Not saying they are not good cars for the the majority of Aussie families, but I’m looking for a premium product. That said I am still very interested in what they can come up with for the future and hope they continue to improve because it’s good for the industry.

carl

yep, The Korean’s got it right in bringing in the diesel auto as the bridging tech to hybrid vehicles. I reckon the hybrid technology still has 10 years to go before it can be made and maintained cheaper and get more acceptance.

Al

Are you serious?

The fuel consumption on the i30 Diesel Auto is shocking compared to the Diesel manual.

7.9 L (auto) vs 5.7 L (manual) for urban usage.

Jenny Craig

WOW!!!

100% correct

$3k more than a ULP and bugger all fuel saving, totally FAILURE Hyundai
The Other Brad

In all fairness

VW 77TDI: (77kw/250nm)
6.0 manual, 6.1 DSG

Ford Focus TDCI (100kw/320nm)
7.2 manual, 7.9 seq. auto

Holden Cruze CD (110kw, 320nm)
6.9 manual, 9.2 sport auto

The Other Brad

Oh and the Hyundai for completeness

Hyundai i30 SX (85kw/255nm)
5.7 manual, 7.9 auto

Andrew M

What that shows is truely how bad Korean Autos are.

I mean the Cruze and i30 pick up more than 2L when optioned Auto, yet the Euros (Focus and Golf) record bugger all increase in comparison
The Other Brad

Different autos though. Both the VW and Focus are “Seq. Manual Auto-Dual Clutch” while the Hyundai is an “Automatic” and Cruze is a “Sports Automatic” (whatever that is).

And then compare pricing:
$24,890 for the Hyundai
$25,990 for the Cruze
$29,790 for the Focus
$29,990 for the VW
biggie

now I know why those hybrids are still light years away….
Andrew M

Thats right brad, they are different auto boxes, but as I said, it clearly shows the better boxes.
Snowman

Umm the I30 diesel manual actually uses 4.7 l/100km – I know, I bought one! The auto uses 6.0 by the way….check your figures peoples
The Other Brad

We’re talking purely urban driving rather than combined urban/extra urban.

shren001

Your guys check on youtube for Hyundai IX35 Economy Drive.

the ix35 diesel returned 4.85.

And that’s the fact.

http://www.caradvice.com.au Anthony Crawford

Hard to bend the figures, which you have to admit, are pretty damn impressive.

Shak

Do you guys maybe have a breakdown of February sales for individual marque’s.

ABMPSV

Top 10 makes, February 2010:
Rank Make Sales % Share
1 Toyota 16,814 20.5%
2 Holden 11,213 13.6%
3 Hyundai 7208 8.8%
4 Ford 7148 8.7%
5 Mazda 7003 8.5%
6 Mitsubishi 5026 6.1%
7 Nissan 4596 5.6%
8 Subaru 3278 4.0%
9 Honda 3102 3.8%
10 Volkswagen 2998 3.6%

COUGS

lol bit off topic but ford is starting to slip prob next month it will be overtaken by mazda……….long wait until 2015 for them

Jenny Craig

Simple, PRICE!

Got a short memory my boy, Japan did same this 30 years ago

Andronicus

Exactly. They make cheap cars. Value for money = yes. Cheap = yes. Reliable = yes.

ricflair

I still can”t bring myself to by Korean, no resale because there are too many other badge snobs like me.

Woooo I’m ric flair
HyundaiSmoke

The thing about i20 is that considering Australia’s size and terrain, why would you send a god awfully bumpy European Tuned car to handle that?

I would have thought the American tuned Accent would be more appropriate. Why do you need to have the utmost superior handling over comfort? Your roads are just as bone straight as ours for the most part. In some cases even more bone straight than ours.

That i20 is a bumpy car in the rear seat.

Shak

Yes straight and very potholed. so the euro tuned suspension for all the cobbled and dying roads suits our tastes. We dont like your american tuned floundering rubbish.
Robin Graves

I get sea sick driving Seppo boulevard-tuned suspension. Yuk

ydoi1fo1

Not surprise.
This is simple.
Good Car, Good Price = Success
http://Realcars Realcars@bigpond.com.au

Don’t get too excited. The Iload is probably the only near best in class vehicle and only the diesel variant at that. Their prices are too optimistic IMO these days considering they still have their dynamic quirks compared to Japanese cars.

Once lower prices mean’t buyers were prepared to overlook lesser refinement handling etc but now they are line ball on price with the competition.

ricflair

could not agree more, they are overpriced for mine these days and mitsubishi seems to have a comparable warranty but with better build quality and resale

Jenny Craig

I agree, the bargain days are over, besides the Japs aint going to lie down and roll over to some upstart,,,,

Camry lover

Shak, I do though.

I like a smooth, elegant suspension setup. In makes me feel relaxed as I don’t feel the bumps.
vid_ghost

I hate it when my arse takes a beating on a long drive (2+ hours).. the mazda new gen 2 made it feel like i was sitting on a rock the new gen mazda 3 like a bit of wood the Toyota Yaris like a soft floor but the 1998 ford Falcon petrol guzzler was like sitting on pillows

Funny how the worst car out of the 3 had the best ride. My next car will be a ix35 or Dualis .. big car + big tires + smooth ride = better for my arse.
Hung Low

I always considered their sales figures to be very strong in previous years considering they were one of the only manufacturers in the top 10 without a commercial range and still in the top 5.
Now with the Iload/max selling strongly it was only a matter of time! If Hyundai added a pick up/ute variant in their line up, I would say that Toyota would be realistically de-throned in a very short time!

Robin Graves

Yeah, where the hell is Hyundai’s ute? With a great diesel – I’d buy one! New Hiluxs and Navaras are definately way down on their ’90s bulletproof ones. Hyundai could clean up especially if they moved in on the mining industry. The new 100 series and Hiluxs are not liked by the miners from what I’ve heard from them.

Hung Low

New Hilux with sealed for life auto box is not exactly work horse material!

Innova

I cant believe the aging Getz are still sold well while its replacement (i20) has been on sale around the world (except Australia, New Zealand and Korea).
Realcars

Funny how Hyundai is getting arep as the ok Korean when Kia probaly have a better range of vechicles at present at Korean prices.Kia proably would have done as well if it hadn’t been for the early Carnivals.

Perception is eveything I suppose.
Jenny Craig

I see ZERO Hyundais every day, NONE ever

Here in the outback all we see is 4×4′s [mainly Toyotas] and Falcodores

Thats it.

What are you going to do now that your to quit your job A/C?

Shak

Are there any Hyundai dealerships in the outback. Its not that they aren’t good cars, its just that the outback folk dont have a chance to buy them.

Sb

well… I do see a lot of the new Kia Rios being driven around the Orange and Bathurst region!
JamesHunt

I said outback, as in N.Territory and alike, no NOTHING out here, most people would not have even heard of Korea let alone hyunday, its mainly Toyota Country, LandCrusiers and Patrols.

Lucky Toyota, Ford and Holden have not abandoned us!

FWD is out of the question [ANY brand], just wont last

shren001

I wouldn’t say that all the smart, forward thinking people are living in east coast.

ABMPSV

I am not surprised witk Hyundai sales. 10 years ago I would not touch this car. Today, after having Toyota and Honda I would consider. Good quality, safe…etc I Germany they compared to BMW 116d. On price BMW was 7000 Euro more. Overal from 1000 points BMW get 619 and Hundai 610. It was very close. In the last 30 years big car sale fugures is less than half. Market share of Ford and Holden was close to 70% today around 10-15% and do not forget, todays small cars are big as Toyota Corona was.
Corona had 2 liter engine with 70kW today Honda Jazz 1.3 liter engine got 73kW. Another 10 years and Hyundai will be fighting for top position here specially if price of oil get out of control.
ABMPSV

Yes Golf price is reasanable, first shipping cost is much more than for Hyundai, second in Korea they driving on the same side as in Australia so you save there too.

Hung Low

The metallic paint in Golfs must contain gold and the sat navs must be space technology to charge 3 times as much!

yowza

VW is charging an arm and a leg for their vehicles in Oz.

Like I said, in USA, Europe, VW are on the same class as the rest of the mass volume producers.
Quality isnt remarkable or anything.
Warranty figures globally will show that.

However, in Oz, they do premium upgrades, or so thats what they are marketing it to be.

I’ll say it…. its all about the Mantra of driving a “Euro”….

It makes people feel good!

Hung Low

Exactly!
shren001

Did you guys know that VW is for poor people and taxi in Shanghai? Oh, Shanghai is in China.

Robin Graves

Korea is LHD like the USA not RHD like us.

shren001

It seems most unfair for your rating as you are stating the fact, that means lots of ignorance people are posting.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/51450/peugeot-207-verve-range-expanded-for-europe/ Butch

Can you post the sales of all the makes?
HyundaiSmoke

Next gen Accent VS Polo Next gen Elantra VS Golf, and well see my competitive VW friends!!! We got em benchmarked to met or exceed your standards. We did the same with Sonata, as most journalists say it even best your CC interiors.

Hyundai VS VW is the best for all involved. Both companies will become so much better than they are now, and on the other side of the competition we will become respected Luxury companies.

VW will force Hyundai to be perfect on the interior front and “premiumness”, and Hyundai will force VW to focus on reliability and price competitiveness. Think about the 1 upsmanship on the design front. Its already happening in many markets its becoming a global competiton.

Just 7 years ago both VW and Hyundai comtemplated leaving the US market, and look at them today. Im glad they stuck it out, becuase its paying off big time.
anthony crawford

Guys, you have to give credit where credit is due and Volkswagen do quality interiors with quality materials, which are at this point ahead of the i30 notwithstanding their higher pricing.

That said, the i30 and ix35 go along way to narrowing that margin.
F1 Addict

Its amazing what a dash of styling will do.
The Oracle’s Teacher

I,m not surprised by this article at all. They will continue to grow too. People talk and when they continually mention how reliable these vehicles are it is little surprise Hyundai are going from strength to strength. They are seldom best in class but they are more than up to the levels that most punters need. Build quality is exceptional nowdays and they are well priced. That is always going to be a formula for success.
Classic

^ sp. objectivity
Golfschwein

Is this why WHEELS prefers the Falcon FG?
http://www.caradvice.com.au Anthony Crawford

Actually Marty, you’re way off the mark there old mate, Hyundai would spend the least amount in advertising of any of the manufacturers with CA and Volkswagen is around the same.

I’m guessing you’ve never driven an i30 CRDi?

Have you anything to contribute on the cars themselves?

The Oracle’s Teacher

Was Marty’s comment removed? Something seems to be missing.

http://www.caradvice.com.au Anthony Crawford

As I mentioned, people that come to CA seek to read our opinions on the cars we test and we are more than happy to engage with any and all readers on those cars.

Again, do you have any comments or opinions on the cars? If not, best you look elsewhere for an non-automotive site.

FirstAmendment

<Actually Marty, you’re way off the mark there old mate, Hyundai would spend the <least amount in advertising of any of the manufacturers with CA and Volkswagen is <around the same.

NOT my business what hyundai spend with you [and they DO!] just dont lie and make a story about it……&

TOTAL B/S, and you know it, you only have to look to your front/main page, top right hand corner and it says *5 star cars* also block adverts. from hyundai for same posted in the body of posts everywhere, maybe you need glasses?

<I’m guessing you’ve never driven an i30 CRDi?

Yes, driven the i30 in both ULP and DIEsel form, what's all the fuss about?Just like WheelsMag. TheAge motoring section and others who compared it v's others in it's class, its just a lower mid field runner, NOTHING more.Bit like McDonald's eating it because your hungry and need a quick fix meal, not a premium in any shape or form.

<Have you anything to contribute on the cars themselves?

Yes, they are now overpriced, and very average, nothing more, they where buying-market share, but i see they are now doing price creep up, i challege then to price ALL there vehicles at the same price as the others in its class….

<As I mentioned, people that come to CA seek to read our opinions on the cars we <test and we are more than happy to engage with any and all readers on those cars.

Then why did you delete MartyMonster's and Classic's posts?, i found them to have a different view, they where on topic and polite, whats the issue?

*Perhaps* you cannot hack it when they prove you wrong and they don't tow the sheep/herd party line?Best not to upset our advertisers?? ehehehehe

<Again, do you have any comments or opinions on the cars? If not, best you look <elsewhere for an non-automotive site

Yeap its called freedom-of-speech, and a right to reply.

Dreama

Good on them – they have lifted their quality, everyone i know that has them absolutely love them
elise

my husband and i have spent the last four months looking for a car we searched mercedes(bit of a dream there) mazda mitsubishi, honda subaru and Holden (the later he has always been holden through and through) to my amazement we walked into a hyundai dealer the other week drove the 1×35 and also the i30. We have now purchased both vehicles (waiting delivery) but we are more than happy with our decision. we have had lots of negative comments from many of the dealerships that we visited whom did nothing but critise our decision to buy hyundai. except for subaru who expressed disapointment that we had gone elsewhere but also encouraged us to visit them when we next make a purchase, buy the way we choose the hyundai one for the warranty reputation that they seem to now have and aslo the style and price. now we cant wait to pick them up.

JamesHunt

Well done Elise

Hope your happy with them, if you wanted superior warranty, quality, resale and engineering you would have purchased a Mitsubishi’s x 2!

grav

Mitsubishi is far inferior than hyundai. warranty, quality, and engineering.
Mitsubishi engineering is 3rd grade level to hyundai.
Even merceds benz request to hyundai, offers hyundai gamma engine to benza small cars, instead of mitsubishi engine. this is true.

grav

Hyundai models earning numerous awards from all over the world. but, Mitsubishi is not.

Campagnola

Remind us how well hyudai are selling in Japan?

FAIL

They left town!
sj

It is Japanese antagonism.
Japanese treat Korea as their enemy.
It was not based on product itself.

just look at the video game market in Japan…Xbox360 is the best of the current game consoles, yet they have only sold a few hundred thousand Xbox360′s in Japan compared to over 10 million each in USA and Europe.
Japanese people are still somewhat facist and live a bit like an ancient culture with the same disgust towards foreigner and women as they had during world war II. They are a very secular society.

Foreign Automakers Give Up on Japan
businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2009/gb20091021_165496.htm
October 21, 2009

” just 3% of sales in Japan were accounted for by foreign carmakers.”
sj

Many top-class foreign companies do well in global markets but Japan. But many top Japanese companies don’t do well in global markets. It’s just their strict nationalistic attitude toward MADE IN JAPAN products. They are too arrogant to accept that other goods made by other nations can be any better than Japan’s-reason for continous failure. So Japan is like a separate world from rest of the world. Also, hyundai = OFFICIALLY, world’s 5th largest motor company.
http://Audi Robj

Actually, in Korea there is very few foreign cars, Malaysia also. Not just the Japanese buy thier own.

Lot6

THIS GUY IS ON DRUGS, MITSUBISHI KNEW 20 YEARS AGO WHAT HYUNDAI WILL BE *LUCKY* TO KNOW IN ANOTHER DECADES TIME +

WHAT A FOOL YOU ARE GRAV

Robin Graves

You are a funny guy!

Jade

They make good second hand buys but that’s about it. 50% depreciation in 12 months isn’t bad at all for the second hand buyer.

Robin Graves

I think you’re commenting in the wrong article. Only Commodores depreciate that quickly.

shren001

100% spot on. Not only my current commodore will be my last holden, I still couldn’t forget my third service, mind you, that’s within warranty routine service, that service costs me $2450.00 count the zeroes mate!

Golfschwein

Another poster’s comment was removed, which is why my above comment makes no sense now.
Calabria

<12 grav says:
<March 6, 2010 at 4:44 pm
<Mitsubishi is far inferior than hyundai. warranty, quality, and engineering.
<Mitsubishi engineering is 3rd grade level to hyundai.
<Even merceds benz request to hyundai, offers hyundai gamma engine to benza small <cars, instead of mitsubishi engine. this is true.

Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

THIS IS THE FUNNIEST POST I HAVE EVER READ!!

GRAV is total dickwad, he must really know what he has wriite is TOTALLY false, must be just trying to tug-our-chain?

F U N N Y!!
grav

@ ^^JamesHunt^^ [Kimi?]

Actually, i was childish, you are totally 100% correct, yes the Hyundai’s are cheaper because they HAVE to be, but in life you-get-what-you-pay-for, and really i am am to be intelligent and fair, Mitsubishi Japanese is VASTLY superior to Hyundai in EVERY single way, you would expect that, they have had 50 years head start on Hyundai in the car field.

Does Hyundai have a 3000GT or EVO range, no they do not, they *may* in 25 years time when they get to where Mitsubishi is today.

Hyundai are still good and equal quality/engineering to say GreatWall and Chery etc, i think thats a fair assesment.

NOTHING, electronics, mechanical, engineering, from Korea is within kooee of what Made In Japan is, but yes Korea are just a little behind China so with decades they can improve.

Many thanks and sorry to question you, i was silly of me

Thanks
shren001

Did you know there is a car called Hyundai Genesis or Equus?