WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Hyundai sees October sales boom

Hyundai sees October sales boom

Posted by: John Shryock - bio | email

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Hyundai Motor America has reason to celebrate, even in a weak economy. The Korean automaker announced Tuesday that it's auto sales were up a whopping 49 percent in October compared to the same time in October 2008.

Year-to-date numbers show a sales bump of 4 percent.  October was also the company's tenth consecutive month of year-over-year gains in market share.

Hyundai produces several automobile lines in Montgomery, its only North American plant.

"We've done a good job of selling down our 2009 model year inventory over the last few months, with about two-thirds of Hyundai car sales in October being fresh, 2010 model year vehicles," said Dave Zuchowski, vice president of sales. "With the recent encouraging economic news of a 3.5 percent GDP growth during the third quarter, the best in two years, we are looking forward to the final two months of the year."

The fuel-efficient Accent and Elantra had significant increases of 106 percent and 225 percent respectively versus 2008 while the Montgomery-built Santa Fe delivered a solid sales gain of 70 percent.

The company says it will introduce even more fuel-efficient face lifted 2010 model coming early next year.

©2009 WSFA. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.