Hyundai Motor Company has announced record sales across the Middle East region in 2013 with total sales of 328,856 units, reflecting a 7.5 per cent increase compared to 2012.

This is the second year in a row that the world’s fourth largest automotive manufacturer is breaking the 300,000 vehicles barrier, a statement said.

Saudi Arabia registered the biggest growth among GCC and Levant markets for 2013 while simultaneously maintaining its position as Hyundai’s single biggest market, with sales up 16 per cent to 143,405 units.

Kuwait posted sales increases of 11 per cent on its impressive 2012 results, adding to the successes of the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, which registered sales boosts of 10 per cent, 7 per cent and 7 per cent respectively.

Hyundai’s compact cars again topped the sales chart, with the Elantra overtaking the Accent as the most popular car with Middle East customers. The Elantra recorded sales of 81,401 in 2013; an increase of 28,245 on the previous year, while 61,059 Accents were snapped up across the region.

Maintaining its third place position was the Tucson compact crossover SUV, registering sales of 28,370.

Hyundai’s ‘Modern Premium’ brand direction in the Middle East is spearheaded by the Genesis and the 2014 Centennial – Hyundai’s flagship model launched earlier the year, both of which saw an improvement in sales during 2013. The Genesis in particular proved popular with the region’s customers, following a 24 per cent sales increase to 3,112 units, the statement said.

The Santa Fe saw a boost in sales once again, with 22,605 units sold across the region – reinforcing the popularity of Hyundai’s SUV range. Other popular models with Middle East customers included the Sonata; with over 23,700 units sold, and the Azera with sales of 11,099.

Tom Lee, head of Hyundai Middle East’s Regional Headquarters, said: “2013 was once again a very successful year for Hyundai Motor Company in the Middle East, as record-breaking sales for the second consecutive year helped us maintain our number two position in the market in the face of strong competition from Japanese, European and American manufacturers.”

“Many of our models have also received accolades from automotive experts in the Middle East in 2013, which highlights the quality of the products on offer to our customers in the region. Our flagship Centennial was heralded as Best Luxury Full-Sized Car for 2013 by Automobile Magazine, and was awarded Saloon of the Year by EVO Middle East. Hyundai was also named 2013 Manufacturer of the Year by Sport Auto Magazine – something that we are extremely proud of.

“2014 is set to be a very exciting year for the company, as we look realise our Modern Premium brand direction and continue to provide the highest standard in both product offering and customer service – something we took great strides towards in 2013 with the introduction of a number of targeted initiatives, including our Premium Assurance Plus Programme the Hyundai Premium Lounge and Certified Pre-owned Programme,” Lee added.

Taking into account sales in Africa in, the Hyundai Motor Company recorded a total of 484,900 units of sales in the region, and 502,363 units of shipment – the first time that Hyundai has registered the landmark figure of over half a million shipment units in the region, according to the statement. – TradeArabia News Service