JEDDAH – Hyundai Motor Company has announced record sales for the Middle East region in 2012, breaking the 300,000 vehicles barrier for the first time in the company's history. The world's fourth largest automotive manufacturer registered a 7.7 percent increase compared to 2011, with total sales of 305,800 units. The ever-increasing popularity of Hyundai cars among Middle East customers also contributed to another landmark figure, as the Korean manufacturer sold its two millionth car in the region since it began exports in 1976. With records tumbling across the Middle East region, Kuwait registered the biggest growth with sales up 80 per cent to 10,828 units, followed by the United Arab Emirates with a year-on-year increase in sales of 66 per cent to 20,031 vehicles. Saudi Arabia maintained its position as Hyundai's single biggest market, increasing sales by 15 per cent to 123,796 units. Hyundai's compact car topped the sales chart with 75,133 Accents snapped up by customers. The ever-popular Accent was followed by the stylish, new generation Elantra, which has enjoyed significant success in the compact segment, and registered sales of 66,414 units. In third place, with sales of 33,533, came the Tucson compact crossover SUV. Launched in the fourth quarter of 2012, and benefiting from Hyundai's new ‘Modern Premium' brand direction, the All-New Santa Fe has enjoyed an impressive start to life in the region. Joint sales of the All-New Santa Fe and the previous generation Santa Fe hit 26,972 units, a huge increase that underscores the growing popularity of Hyundai's SUV. Undeniably one of Hyundai's major success stories over recent years has been the company's premium line-up, represented by the Genesis and Centennial. In 2012, the flagship Centennial recorded a huge leap in sales across the Middle East region, up 244 percent, while sales of the Genesis were up 31 percent to 3,490 units, even before the range-topping 3.8-liter GDI engine was added to the line-up in December. Tom Lee, Head of Hyundai Middle East's Regional Headquarters, said: “This record-breaking sales growth reinforces the success of Hyundai's acclaimed ‘Modern Premium' brand direction, which means that we are producing cars of the highest quality, cars that customers are buying in ever-increasing numbers. Our models have equally earned plaudits from the Middle East's automotive experts, with the Centennial recently being named Car Of The Year by Middle East motoring title, Sport Auto, the Veloster being named Best Hatchback at the Middle East Motor Awards and the All-New Santa Fe taking Wheels magazine's Best SUV title, all of which makes it an exciting time to join the Hyundai family.” On a global scale Hyundai Motor Company has also experienced a record year, with sales of 4.4 million cars, equating to an increase of 8.6 percent on the previous year. – SG
