| yundai’s global sales up 11 % Jan 11, 2006, 19:45 |
Seoul, Korea - It was a record-setting year for Hyundai Motor Co. as worldwide sales of Hyundai-badged vehicles reached 2,533,695 units, an 11 per cent increase over 2004.
Elantra, Hyundai's global top seller in 2005
Overseas sales (comprising exports from Hyundai’s three Korean sites and the output of its overseas manufacturing subsidiaries) rose by 13.3 per cent to 1,962,881 units while domestic sales rose 3.7 per cent to 570,814 units.
The Elantra claimed the title of Hyundai’s best-selling car worldwide, followed by the Accent, Getz, Sonata and Tucson.
Domestic Passenger Cars, Minivans & SUVs
Led by the new Sonata, domestic Korean sales of Hyundai passenger cars were up 22.4 per cent to 304,745 units. However, sales of minivans and SUVs dipped by 22.1 per cent to 110,592 units though demand for the all-new Santa Fe remained brisk with over 9,000 units delivered to Korean customers in December. Combined 2005 sales of passenger cars, SUVs and minivans reached 415,337 units, up 6.3 per cent y-o-y.
Overseas Sales
Hyundai’s three Korean factory sites shipped 1,292,311 units (including knock-down kits) overseas in 2005, a 0.6 per cent y-o-y increase. Hyundai’s overseas manufacturing operations in India, Turkey, China and the United States sold 670,570 units, up 49.7 per cent y-o-y.
2006 Target
Hyundai has set as its 2006 target worldwide sales of 2.68 million units (excluding exports of CKD kits). Overseas manufacturing subsidiaries will see output rise to 922,000 units while Korean plants will export 1,137,000 units. Domestic sales are forecast to rise to 630,000 units.
Hyundai’s research and development spending will grow 14 per cent to $A 2.73 billion in 2006. With expansion projects underway at manufacturing facilities in India, China and the US and construction of a new European plant slated to start later in 2006, Hyundai’s facility investments are set to rise 52 per cent to $A 2.09 billion.
