HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA REPORTS 2018 DECEMBER AND TOTAL YEAR SALES
- Record-Setting December Sales Total
- Total December Sales Up 3 Percent; Retail Sales Up 4 Percent
- Best SUV Sales Month Ever with More than 35,000 Units Sold
- Highest Monthly Kona Sales Total Ever
- 2018 Hyundai-Branded Vehicles Sales Increase Over 2017
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 3, 2019 – Hyundai Motor America reported December sales of Hyundai- and Genesis-branded vehicles of 65,721 units, a 3 percent increase in comparison with December 2017 and the best December sales month in company history. Retail sales in December were also up 4 percent. Hyundai closed the year strong with total sales increasing in seven out of the last eight months.
2018 Year End Sales Summary
For the full year, Hyundai and Genesis sold 677,946 vehicles, a 1 percent decline in comparison with 2017, while retail volume was up slightly on the year. Hyundai-branded vehicle sales exceeded last year’s total, while Hyundai SUVs set an all-time annual record with more than 300,000 units sold, a 24 percent increase compared with 2017. SUV sales represented 45 percent of total sales, the highest SUV mix in Hyundai history. The Tucson led the way with 142,000 units sold, a 24 percent increase over 2017, making it Hyundai’s second highest volume model behind Elantra. On the car front, Elantra yearly sales were up 1 percent with more than 200,000 units sold and Ioniq was up 35 percent on the year.
Sales by Brand
| Dec-18 | Dec-17 | 2018 YTD | 2017 YTD | |
| Hyundai | 65,107 | 61,646 | 667,634 | 664,961 |
| Genesis | 614 | 1,948 | 10,312 | 20,594 |
| TOTAL | 65,721 | 63,594 | 677,946 | 685,555 |
Hyundai December Brand Highlights
Hyundai-branded vehicle sales increased by 6 percent in December, in large part due to the highest SUV sales month in company history of 35,058 units sold, a 42 percent increase over December 2017. This was the fifth month in a row Hyundai established a new monthly SUV sales mark, while retail SUV sales mix reached an all-time high of 53 percent. Tucson set a monthly record for the 22nd month in a row, with a 32 percent increase, and Kona sold more than 8,000 units, its highest monthly total yet and a 39 percent increase compared with last month, November 2018. Retail sales of the all-new 2019 Santa Fe were also up 46 percent versus the prior year. Sonata (up 2 percent), Veloster (up 54 percent) and Ioniq (up 40 percent) rounded out the Hyundai models with gains on the month.
“Hyundai had a strong close to the year, setting our December sales total record and increasing retail sales for the year,” said John Cook, director, Sales Operations, Hyundai Motor America. “In 2018 we focused on reinventing and expanding our SUV lineup and customers responded in the second half of the year with SUV retail mix exceeding 50 percent for the first time in December. These vehicles, along with our diverse car lineup put us in a position to pick up market share in 2019.”
December Product and Corporate Activities
- Most Combined IIHS Safety Ratings: For the second year in a row, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that Hyundai has the most combined TOP SAFETY PICK+ and TOP SAFETY PICK-rated vehicles in the automotive industry.
- First 2019 NEXO Sale: Hyundai delivered its first NEXO fuel cell SUV to a former scientist eager to add the benefits of this zero-emissions vehicle to his environmentally-friendly lifestyle at Keyes Hyundai in Van Nuys, California.
- Kona Electric Pricing: The long-awaited 2019 Kona Electric convention-breaking electric crossover starts at $36,450, for an effective net price of $28,950 ($29,995 including delivery), with the electric vehicle tax credit of $7,500 factored in.
- Hyundai ‘Elevate’ Walking Car Concept: At CES 2019, Hyundai will present a totally new vehicle concept that combines the power of robotics and EV technology to take people where no vehicle has been before. This design concept and prototype will be showcased at Hyundai’s press conference on January 7 at 3 p.m. PST at the Mandalay Bay South Convention Center, Level 2, Oceanside B.
- Super Bowl Advertising: Hyundai confirmed plans to advertise during the Super Bowl with a a new 60-second spot that will run in the first quarter of the game.
- 1 Million Mile Elantra: In just five years, a delivery driver from Olathe, Kansas drove her 2013 Elantra 1 million miles with the original powertrain. Hyundai created a 1 million mile emblem for her odometer and surprised her with a new 2019 Elantra.
Hyundai Model Sales
| Vehicle | Dec-18 | Dec-17 | 2018 YTD | 2017 YTD |
| Accent | 3,830 | 5,205 | 29,090 | 58,955 |
| Azera | 2 | 141 | 628 | 3,060 |
| Elantra | 15,076 | 21,350 | 200,415 | 198,210 |
| Ioniq | 1,275 | 908 | 15,076 | 11,197 |
| Kona | 8,319 | 0 | 47,090 | 0 |
| Nexo | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Santa Fe | 11,347 | 13,146 | 117,038 | 133,171 |
| Sonata | 8,705 | 8,508 | 105,118 | 131,803 |
| Tucson | 15,384 | 11,633 | 142,299 | 114,735 |
| Veloster | 1,161 | 755 | 10,871 | 12,658 |
Genesis Model Sales
| Vehicle | Dec-18 | Dec-17 | 2018 YTD | 2017 YTD |
| G70 | 229 | 0 | 409 | 0 |
| G80 | 305 | 1,542 | 7,663 | 16,196 |
| G90 | 80 | 406 | 2,240 | 4,398 |
HYUNDAI MOTOR GAINS STRONGEST EVER UK MARKET SHARE
- Hyundai achieved a record 3.8% share of the UK new car market in 2018
- Registration volumes hit 89,961 in 2018 consolidating Hyundai’s top 10 status
- Eco models surge as Hyundai IONIQ volumes grow 45.2% in 2018
High Wycombe, 9 January 2019 – Hyundai Motor hit a new high in 2018 taking a record-breaking 3.8% share of the UK’s new car market. Registering 89,961 new vehicles in the year, the strong showing saw the brand out-perform the UK market propelled by Tucson volumes passing 27,000 units and a 45.2% growth in IONIQ registrations.
Hyundai saw its investment in low and ultra-low emission vehicle technologies pay off in 2018, with significant rises for IONIQ supported by the launch of the brand’s first fully-electric SUV – the KONA. The 279-mile range electric model made a strong start with 224 units registered, contributing to the brand’s 8,220 eco-model registrations in the UK over the past year.
While overall UK new car registrations contracted in 2018 (down 6.8%), Hyundai out-performed the market with 89,961 registrations over the 12-month period, a reduction of only 3.7%. In a challenging market, Hyundai reshaped its business model with a strategic, long-term focus to ensure stability and profitability in the years ahead.
Ashley Andrew, Hyundai UK Managing Director, said: “The UK car market is facing a host of challenges, so it is gratifying to see Hyundai secure its highest ever market share while achieving strong growth across our eco-model range. This year, we will focus on consolidating our position ahead of some significant new model arrivals in 2020.”
Last year, the Tucson was the brand’s best-selling model, registering 27,634 units in 2018. The top-performing eco-model was the Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid, with 6,535 units registered, while the plug-in Hybrid IONIQ achieved the highest level of growth, rising 222.2% year-on-year.
Over the past decade, Hyundai has experienced meteoric growth. Now, the company’s new strategic plan will establish a firm base from which to grow – particularly from next year, when Hyundai will launch a selection of new vehicles including low and ultra-low emission models.