Hyundai becomes world’s 4th largest automaker
Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group becomes the worlds fourth largest automaker in terms of new car sales! Check out todays major automotive headlines across the world. They all have one thing in common and that is the praise for the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, which has become the fourth largest auto maker in the world.
The exciting news is based on recent report issued by Automotive News Data Centre, which reveals new car sales numbers in the first six months of the 2009. According to the report, With 3.564.105 new cars sold in the first six months of fiscal year, Toyota leads GM in second spot with 3.552.722 units sold. In third position, but closing up the gap pretty fast is Volkswagen, while at fourth spot you can find Ford Hyundai!
True, Hyundai and its sister firm Kia Motors, which both form Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group has overtaken Ford and replaced it as the fourth largest carmaker in the world! The Korean largest car manufacturer has sold 8.000 units more than US giant did in the first half of 2009.
Latest stats reveal that Fords global new car sales have shrunk by about 1 million units so far this year, mainly due to global crissis and falling demand for new vehicles. On the other side, Hyundai sales have not been hit as hard as Fords thanks to its broad line-up of fuel-efficient cars that Koreans have on sale in major car markets in the world.
Despite the tough economic times Hyundai will continue to renewing its vehicle range with new models such as the 2010 Hyundai Sonata and next generation Tucson crossover, which will both be unveiled later this year.
Other new models expected to hit the market next year include new Hyundai small coupe and mini-MPV model based on Kias upcoming YN mini-MPV. All of these new models will be crucial to keep Hyundai safe from Ford, which will soon bounce back with new Fiesta and several other new models.
[Via: hyundai-blog]