Hyundai-Kia group sets record sales in 2010

December 2010 sales for Hyundai and Kia in the U.S. were record-breaking and so are their sales for the entire year. The two affiliated brands posted higher sales mainly buoyed up by their new or redesigned vehicles. Hyundai’s Sonata continued to be strong while the sales of its Elantra compact, Tucson crossover and Genesis sedan grew further. On the other hand, Kia’s Soul, Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, Sorento and redesigned 2011 Optima made up 86% of Kia’s December sales volume.

Hyundai sold 538,228 vehicles in 2010, higher by 24% than in 2009, and 15.2% higher than its prior record of 467,009 vehicles set in 2007. Hyundai said that its holiday advertising campaign and improved product availability boosted sales to individual customers by 54% in December compared with 2009.

Meanwhile, sales to fleet customers such as rental car companies accounted for 7% of Hyundai’s December sales compared to 16% for the entire year. Kia does not reveal fleet sales figures. In a statement, Hyundai CEO John Krafcik said that December was the “capstone to a good year for Hyundai,” explaining that its total sales results understate the more significant gains it made at retail, where its market share added a full point.[via-4wheelsnews]