Hyundai maintains momentum entering 2010

KICKS OFF NEW YEAR WITH BEST JANUARY EVER

MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 1 /CNW/ - Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. kicked off 2010 by recording its best January ever. With 6,084 units sold, the company beat its previous best January by nearly 1,300 units. That record was set back in 1986.

With a year-over-year increase of over 32 per cent, January marked twelve straight months of best-ever months for Hyundai, and thirteen straight months of double-digit sales increases for the South Korean company.

"We have a lot to be proud of at Hyundai right now," said Steve Kelleher , president and CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "We've just come off our best year ever, and things look very promising for 2010 as well. I'm confident that we will be able to achieve another year of double-digit sales growth and that we'll break the 100,000 unit barrier again."

Kelleher believes the company's new Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy will help the company achieve its goals in 2010. The all-new 2010 Tucson is in dealerships now and is the first model to sport this new design theme. Tucson sales in January were up 153 per cent compared to January 2009 . The all-new 2011 Sonata - which will be shown for the first time in Canada at the Canadian International Auto Show later this month - is another model created under the Fluidic Sculpture umbrella and will go on sale within the next two months. Sonata is one of Hyundai Canada's strongest models; with an increase of over one hundred per cent from January 2009 , the completely overhauled model holds significant potential once it goes on sale.

The refreshed-for-2010 Santa Fe recorded a significant increase in sales as well. With its new six-speed transmissions, new four-cylinder engine, and an enhanced V6 powertrain with increased power and improved fuel economy, the 2010 Santa Fe promises to make an impact in the compact SUV segment. Sales in January were up over 48 per cent compared to January, 2009.

    
    Quick Facts:
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    Month             2010      2009      % Change     Notes
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    January           6,084     4,607     + 32.1 %     Best January ever
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    Nameplate         January   January   % Change     Notes
                      2010      2009
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    Accent            1,191     1,465     - 18.7 %
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    Elantra           729       973       - 25.1 %
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    Elantra Touring   584       53        + 1001.9 %   First month of sale:
                                                       Jan. 2009
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    Sonata            801       399       + 100.8 %
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    Genesis           66        42        + 57.1 %
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    Genesis Coupe     86        0         N/A          First month of sale:
                                                       Feb. 2009
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    Tucson            840       332       + 153.0 %
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    Santa Fe          1,694     1,142     + 48.3 %
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    Veracruz          87        86        + 1.2 %
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Hyundai Auto Canada , established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 180 dealerships nationwide.

    
          For interviews or additional information, please contact:
     Barb Pitblado, Manager, Public Relations, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
             Office: 905-948-6712 / Cell: 416-559-9640 /
                      Email:[email protected]
    

For further information: Barb Pitblado, Public Relations Manager, [phone], [email protected]