Hyundai has had a good 2014 so far with recent figures putting the Korean car maker in third spot overall in the Aussie market, for the fourth consecutive month, with 8,351 units equating to 9.3% market share.
With that success the Korean manufacturer has had to look at which areas it can still improve on.
Hyundai Australia PR general manager Bill Thomas told Autotalk: “We are asking many of our dealers to invest substantial sums to upgrade their facilities and they expect good sales results to flow on from that investment.”
“If we continue to build products that Australians want to buy, and market them effectively, then we will hit our targets and grow the business,” Thomas says.
“A ute would help our volume, of course, and judging by the success of the iLoad van, we have good form in commercial vehicles, but there isn’t a Hilux rival on the radar at the moment.”
When queried about Hyundai’s third spot overall sales position in Australia, Thomas adds, “we’re proud to be second overall in passenger car sales for the year to date in 2014, but the ranking doesn’t matter – what matters is that we deliver the right products to Australian families and make sure they’re backed up by the best after-sales service in the business.”
Hyundai is also confident of surpassing its 97006 sales figure of 2013 this year in which it predicts it will reach triple figures by the end of 2014.
In related news, Hyundai has unveiled first images of the New Generation i20, ahead of its world debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.
The key aims of the new model are to open Hyundai to an even wider audience; further develop perceptions of the brand; and confirm Hyundai’s position as a European automaker.
A spokesperson for Hyundai Motors Australia told Autotalk, “the business case for the i20 is still being reviewed, it’s not yet confirmed for the Australian market.”
The new i20 features a 2570mm wheelbase, 45mm longer than its predecessor. Efficient packaging has created a passenger compartment that can seat five adults, while combined front and rear legroom is best in class at 1892mm. Trunk capacity is 326 litres when the rear seats are upright. The i20 also comes with a sunroof able to both tilt and fully open.
The public world premiere of the new i20 will take place during Hyundai’s press conference at the 2014 Paris Motor Show on Thursday 2 October.
Hyundai July VFACTS figures
- Light Cars <$25k: Hyundai ranked first with combined sales of i20 (985 units) and Accent (636 units) totaling 1621 vehicles sold
- Small Cars <$40k: Hyundai ranked third with combined sales of i30 (2,434 units) and Elantra sales (756 units) totaling 3190 vehicles
- Medium <$60k: i40 ranked fifth with sales of 264 units
- SUV Small <$40k: ix35 ranked first with sales of 1380 units
- SUV Large <$70k: Santa Fe ranked sixth with sales of 729 units
- Sports Cars <$80k: Veloster ranked second with sales of 381 units
- People Movers <$55K: iMax ranked first with sales of 274 units
- Van/CC 2.5-3.5t: iLoad ranked first with sales of 512 units
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