Hyundai Sales Reach Five Million

A Hyundai i30 became the five millionth vehicle in Europe to be sold. Since its launch in 2007, over 320,000 units have been sold.

In 1977, the first Hyundai Pony was imported, and since then, Hyundai sales steadily increased. Up to March 2011, Hyundai has seen market sales above the European average.

In 1996, Hyundai recorded its first million sales in Europe, with the two million being sold in 2001, with momentum growing, 2005 marked three million and four million came in 2008.

2007 saw the introduction of the Hyundai 930, the first Hyundai designed specifically for the EUropean market and was also the first product to carry Hyundai's "i" prefix.

A manufacturing plant in Nosovice, Czech Republic produces the Hyundai i30 and is Hyundai's first manufacturing facility in Europe.

Following in the footsteps of the Hyundai i30 were the i10 and i20 as well as the Hyundai ix20 compact MPV and ix35 SUV, all of which are designed for the European market.

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, commented, "Hitting five million sales is a wonderful achievement for Hyundai, and it marks us out as a major player in what is the world’s most competitive car market. But this is just the beginning for the brand. We are planning for further sales growth during 2011, to take us to 3% market share in Europe. And in the longer term we expect the quality and desirability of our cars to help us maintain our momentum and deliver our next five million sales in a much shorter time frame."

The Czech Republic manufacturing plant will this year increase production to 300,000 units, whilst the European R&D centre in Germany continues work on low emissions diesel technologies, having been responsible for models including the Hyundai ix20, ix35 and all new i40, on sale in September 2011 for the UK.