Hyundai In The UK: 21 Years Young
Published: 7th December 2003
History - Here is a timeline
of product introduced
by Hyundai into the UK
- Pony (1982-1989)
- Stellar (1984-1989)
- Sonata (1989-1994)
- X2 (1990-1995)
- New Sonata (1994-1998, facelifted 1996)
- Accent (1995-1999, facelifted 1997)
- Lantra (1995-2001, facelifted 1998)
- Coupe (1996-2002, facelifted 2000)
- H100 (1997-2001)
- Atoz (1998-2000)
- New Sonata (1998-date, facelifted 2001)
- New Accent (1999-date, facelifted 2003)
- Amica (2000-2003, facelifted 2001)
- XG30 (2000-2003)
- Trajet (2000-date)
- Matrix (2001-date)
- Santa Fe (2001-date)
- Elantra (2001-date)
- New Coupe (2002-date)
- Getz (2002-date)
- Terracan (2003-date)
- Highlights 1982-2003
1982: Pony becomes Hyundai’s first car for sale in the UK
1983: The Earls Court Motorfair sees Hyundai take part in a UK show for the first time; UK debut of the Stellar
1988: Hyundai breaks the 10,000 sales barrier for the first time; at 11,365 units
1988: Hyundai sponsors the Seoul Olympic Games
1990: Britain’s most comprehensive warranty is unveiled by Hyundai; a three year ‘back to back’ warranty, as it was called at the time
1993: Hyundai Car (UK) Ltd takes over from International Motors as the official importer of Hyundai vehicles
1994: Hyundai has a blinding year, selling 12,247 cars, up an amazing 3,058 units on 1993
1995: The new Accent is treated to a TV advert filmed in the UK, the first time Hyundai Car (UK) Ltd films an advert domestically
1997: Hyundai breaks the 20,000 sales barrier for the first time, at 25,567 units
1998: And just one year on, it breaks 30,000 barrier at 30,218 sales
1998: Hyundai enters motor sports on a world level, with the Coupe in the F2 class World Rally Championship
1999: Hyundai wins award for most improved dealer network at the 1999 Automotive Management Awards
2000: Hyundai shifts up a gear in its world motor sports assault. It moves up with the Accent into Group A of the World Rally Championship
2000: Hyundai is the official automotive sponsor of the UEFA Euro 2000 football championships
2001: Hyundai produces its own diesel engines, which go on sale in the UK in this year
2002: Once again Hyundai sets the standard for new year warranties, launching a five year unlimited mileage offering which is fully transferable between owners
2002: Hyundai is the official automotive sponsor of the 2002 FIFA World Cup
