Hyundai and KIA combined for an 18 percent sales increase last month, moving 77,524 units between the two brands. Hyundai saw less dramatic increases, up “only” 15.4 percent over last March. Accent (4,233) and Elantra (8,225) sales were weak compared to last March’s recession fever, but big jumps in Sonata (18,935), Santa Fe (9,548) and Tucson (3,084) volumes kept the momentum going. Sorento (9,156) and Soul (5,106) led KIA’s volume, with Forte (4,830) softening and Optima (3,633) actually gaining. Meanwhile, the fact that other brands were binging on incentives, trying to meet the Koreans on value, means this performance is especially impressive. At least it will be when we have March’s incentive numbers. Full sales numbers after the jump.
Wow, the ‘Snotter outsold the Malibu this month. Didn’t expect that…
No surprise to me, the Malibu looks more Korean than the Korean car, plus GM’s welfare recipient status might enshrinkening its market.
Plus it is a brand new exciting car advertised during the biggest TV events. It will take a little longer before we know how it holds up.
These are impressive numbers considering that Hyundai didn’t suffer as much as many of the other manufacturers did during the downturn last year. The bars are a bit higher for Hyundai, Kia and Subaru where the bars are in the basement for just about everyone else. Its pretty easy for Ford/GM/Toyota to show 40% plus gains given just how horrible things were last year for them in terms of total decline in capacity.
Hyundai is doing A LOT right. The 2011 2.0T Sonata – 274 HP and 22/34 MPG with near Honda Accord build quality and good looks with a 10/100 warranty and cheaper then the competition.
Dear Toyota, be afraid, be very afraid. Love Hyundai.
Very good point about year-over-year numbers. A 15% compounding growth rate beats an isolated 40% recovery any day.
According to Edmunds, Hyundai decreased their incentives by nearly 50% (compared to last March)
Yes, and Hyundai’s stingness toward offering incentives on the 2011 Sonata will only lead to better resale values.
Plus the decrease in Elantra sales only goes to show that Hyundai’s not relying solely on fleet sales and lower margins.
So I guess judging from the numbers above it’s bye bye Tiburon unless there’s a memo I missed for its farewell bon voyage party?
No, they just have 6 mo. worth of 2010s to sell first. With $2500 on the hood.
Check it out at your local overstocked Hyundai dealer.
You’d think the Azera would benefit from still having a V6 more than it is. Then again, how much marketing support is the model getting at this point?
It’s not so simple as that. The Sonata gets 198HP on 4 cylinders. Having 2 fewer cylinders and a design that accommodates 4 cylinders instead of 6 is what helped Hyundai shave off about 200 pounds to 3199 pounds.