HYUNDAI Motor Company has announced its third consecutive year of record sales in the Middle East region following the reporting of 2014 figures. The region's second largest automotive manufacturer recorded 339,813 unit sales across the region in 2014, representing an increase of 3 percent when compared with 2013. The Korean brand has broken the 300,000 sales barrier each year since 2012. The biggest market for Hyundai in the Middle East remains Saudi Arabia where an increase of 3 percent saw 147,647 units sold. Both Jordan and Lebanon grew sales by 9.5 percent with 31,415 and 10,171 units sold respectively. The UAE was also up with a total of 22,192 units sold, as were Kuwait and Oman, while the single biggest increases came in Yemen and Palestine – up by 30 percent and 13 percent respectively. Demand for the SUV range, featuring Tucson, Santa Fe and Grand Santa Fe, proved strong across the region and accounted for 21.9 percent of total sales (74,419 units), representing the strongest growth segment for the brand. Among those, sales of Grand Santa Fe leapt 101 percent (4,259 units) in its first full year on the market, while the Santa Fe posted a very strong rise of 24 percent (32,212 units). Hyundai's range of compact and mid-size cars remained in high demand. Hyundai Elantra continues to be the best seller in the region, enjoying 92,881 units sold, followed by the Accent which recorded a boost of 9 percent totaling 79,013 units sold. All-new Sonata helped push the mid-size sedan's sales up to 28,556 units with a rise of 6 percent. The i10 the range posted the second highest growth of any nameplate with a jump of 67 percent (21,373 units) thanks in part to the expansion of the model range following the introduction of Grand i10 during 2014. Tom Lee, Vice President and Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East Regional Headquarters, said: “2014 was another successful year for us in the Middle East with a third consecutive record year. This has helped us maintain our position as second highest selling automotive brand in the Middle East despite the strong offering of our competitors. “Our success is built around our Modern Premium brand direction, which has inspired a range of cars that offers the Middle East car buyer a wide variety of relevant, high quality products to meet and exceed their needs and expectations, all of which is supported by a comprehensive dealer network offering outstanding service.” Hyundai Motor Company reported an overall increase in 2014 sales across Africa & Middle East of 1.4 percent (511,494 units, including commercial vehicles) and 4.9 percent globally (4,963,456 units, including commercial vehicles). — SG
