Hyundai Motor Company has announced record sales across the Middle East region last year, for the second year in succession, said a report.

The world's fourth largest automotive manufacturer has registered a 7.5 per cent increase compared to 2012, with total sales of 328,856 units, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Saudi Arabia registered the biggest growth in the GCC and Levant, 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, said the GDN report.

The Elantra recorded sales of 81,401 last year, an increase of 28,245 on the previous year, while 61,059 Accents were sold across the region.

Maintaining its third place 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.

The Genesis in particular proved popular with the region's customers, following a 24 per cent sales increase to 3,112 units.

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 more than 23,700 units sold, and the Azera with sales of 11,099, the report stated.

"Last year was once again a very successful year for Hyundai 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," remarked Hyundai Middle East head Tom Lee.

"This year is set to be a very exciting one for the company, as we look to realise our modern premium brand direction and continue to provide the highest standard in both product offering and customer service," he added.

Adding the sales in Africa, the Hyundai Motor Company recorded total consolidated regional sales of 484,900 units, 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.-TradeArabia News Service