Hyundai Motor America Reports Its Best-Ever Sales Month, Best-Ever First Quarter, and Best-Ever Fuel Economy

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Apr 01, 2011, 01:50 ET

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Total monthly sales up 32 percent; retail volume up 41 percent
Total first quarter sales up 28 percent; first quarter retail volume up 46 percent
28 percent of March vehicle sales deliver 40-mpg highway rating
Hyundai's sales-weighted corporate average fuel economy hits an industry-leading, all-time record of 35.8 mpg

Hyundai Motor America today announced record March sales of 61,873 units, up 32 percent compared with the same period last year and up 42 percent over last month. For the year, total Hyundai sales are up 28 percent, with retail volume up 46 percent, representing an all-time record first-quarter performance. Sales to fleet accounts are down 31 percent for the year with fleet representing 13 percent of the total sales mix year-to-date and 11 percent for March.

"March was an unbelievably strong month for Hyundai," said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America's executive vice president of national sales. "Consumer demand was comparable to our previous record-setting month, August 2009, when the high watermark for sales was set with the 'Cash for Clunkers' program. With our overall supply of fuel-efficient vehicles improving, and the recent launch of our breakthrough 40-mpg 2011 Elantra, we are poised to sustain our momentum into the strong spring selling season."

March's strong performance was led by the Alabama-produced Sonata and Elantra products that were up a combined 55 percent over March last year and accounted for 68 percent of total Hyundai volume.

Genesis' sustained growth trajectory continued with a 24 percent sales increase over last year, representing the 21st consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. The all-new Equus premium flagship continues to outpace sales objectives, already garnering a six percent share of the premium luxury segment year-to-date.


CARLINE	MAR/2011	MAR/2010	CY/2011	CY/2010
ACCENT	5,739	4,233	14,487	15,288
SONATA	22,894	18,935	51,878	31,747
ELANTRA	19,255	8,225	41,203	23,881
SANTA FE	5,701	9,548	14,392	24,716
AZERA	199	225	522	698
TUCSON	4,508	3,084	10,713	8,041
VERACRUZ	672	607	1,809	1,561
GENESIS	2,664	2,145	6,888	5,577
EQUUS	241	n/a	728	n/a
TOTAL	61,873	47,002	142,620	111,509


Sales-Weighted Fuel Economy (mpg)	March	2011 CYTD
Car	36.4	36.0
Truck	28.8	28.7
Hyundai Brand	35.8	35.3


	March	2011 CYTD
40-MPG Sales	17,093	30,715
Mix of Total Sales	28 %	22 %

"It's simple. American car buyers want to put great-looking cars that get great fuel economy in their driveways, and the 35-mpg Sonata and 40-mpg Elantra deliver both in spades," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. Hyundai sold 17,093 cars (2011 Elantra sedan and 2011 Sonata Hybrid) with 40-mpg EPA fuel economy highway ratings in March, representing 28 percent of sales for the month, while achieving an industry-leading 35.8 mpg sales-weighted corporate average fuel economy level. Hyundai's Blue Drive initiative represents its effort to lead the industry in fuel economy through the wide availability of accessible, fuel-efficient technologies throughout its lineup.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, 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 about 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 bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com.

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

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America