•Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar record highest increases
•Hyundai's premium cars up by 18 per cent
•Elantra continues to top the sales charts, with 'i' series models and Veloster also catching the eye
Hyundai Motor Company has continued to build on its remarkable recent success across the Middle East region, enjoying its best ever first six months of sales. In comparison with the first half of 2012, the Korean Automotive manufacturer recorded a two per cent increase in sales from January to June 2013, with 165,472 units being sold across the region.
The Gulf countries led the way, with all six GCC markets recording healthy year-on-year sales growth. Bahrain registered the highest increase with sales up 22 per cent, closely followed by Kuwait at 21 per cent and Qatar with 19 per cent growth. Saudi Arabia continued its dominance as the top seller of Hyundai models in the Middle East, with sales up 11 per cent to over 72,500 units.
Oman continued the upwards trend, with sales rising by 11 per cent, while customers bought seven per cent more Hyundais in the United Arab Emirates, with over 10,800 units sold in the first six months. Further north, Lebanon also experienced growth of seven per cent.
Across the GCC and Levant the Hyundai 'i' series, which includes the i10, i20, i30 and i40, is continuing to prove popular, registering growth of 36 per cent over the first six months of 2013 and proving there is a market for smaller, stylish and technologically-advanced cars. Hyundai's most popular model across the region, the Elantra shows no signs of slowing down with sales up 35 per cent to over 47,500 units.
Benefiting from the company's new 'Fluidic Sculpture' design ethos and 'Modern Premium' brand direction, and featuring a unique three-door bodyshape, the Veloster is up an impressive 20 per cent. SUVs continue to prove a popular choice in the GCC and Levant, with the All-New Santa Fe seeing growth of 10 per cent and the Tucson passing the 13,000 unit mark. Both models will soon be joined by the Grand Santa Fe, giving customers a larger, 7-seat SUV option.
The launch of the New 2014 Centennial in the Middle East earlier this year, and recent addition of a GDI engine to the Genesis line-up, have benefited Hyundai's Premium model line-up, which has seen sales across the GCC and Levant region rise by 13 per cent compared to the same period of last year. The New 2014 Centennial was also recently named Best Luxury full-sized car by highly acclaimed Middle East motoring magazine, Automobile.
Tom Lee, Vice President and Head of Hyundai Middle East HQ, commented: "While our focus in 2013 has been very much on enhancing the quality of our products and services, it is clear that the high demand for Hyundai cars hasn't changed. The arrival of more new models, together with the on-going roll-out across the region of customer-focused schemes such as the Hyundai Premium Assurance Plus Programme and the Certified Pre-Owned Programme, will help us to continue providing the highest quality service to our customers."
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About Hyundai Motor Company
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai Motor Group, with more than two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Hyundai Motor -- which has seven manufacturing bases outside of South Korea including Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, India, Russia, Turkey and the U.S. -- sold 4.4 million vehicles globally in 2012. Hyundai Motor, which employs over 80,000 worldwide, offers a full line-up of products including small to large passenger vehicles, SUVs and commercial vehicles.
About Hyundai Middle East
Hyundai Motor's Middle East headquarters are located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and are run by Managing Director for the Middle East, Tom Lee. Hyundai's retail network in the GCC and Levant consists of: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, KSA: Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh; UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Hyundai recorded its best ever sales across the whole Middle East region in 2012, selling 305,800 vehicles, an increase of 7.7%. The year also saw to another landmark figure, as the Korean manufacturer sold its two millionth car in the region since it began exports in 1976.
Hyundai's record-breaking 2012 sales were led by its luxury models - the Centennial and Genesis - which saw sales increase by 244% and 31% respectively. The Accent was the biggest seller with sales of 75,133, followed by the Elantra. The SUV line-up (Tucson, Santa Fe and Veracruz), also performed strongly selling over 60,500 units.
© Press Release 2013
