Hyundai on track for another record year

Korean car maker Hyundai says it will set a new sales record in Australia this year even though it will lose one of its best-selling models within the next few months.

The $12,990 Getz hatch has been a bread-winner for Hyundai locally, accounting for more almost a third of the brand's total vehicle sales in the past few years.

But Getz sales are down by 11 per cent so far this year as Hyundai quits remaining stock, and sales of the i30 hatch – the brand's most popular model locally – are down by 14 per cent.

Furthermore, the i20 small car that will effectively replace the Getz is struggling, selling at roughly one-third the rate of its predecessor.

Despite these setbacks, however, Hyundai sales overall are steady compared to the same period last year (up 0.4 per cent in a market that's down 5 per cent year to date) thanks to the new i45 mid-size sedan and ix35 compact softroader.

"We will still do 80,000 cars this year," Hyundai Australia spokesman Ben Hershman told the Carsales Network. "We have four new models coming in the next six months, so we expect to stabilize our sales and sustain our position in the market."

The four new models due before the end of the year are the Elantra and Accent small sedans, the i40 mid-size wagon and the sporty Veloster coupe.

Hyundai recorded its best May result on record last month, which saw it climb to third position outright behind Holden and Toyota – and ahead of Ford and Mazda.

Hyundai also ranked second in May for passenger car sales – and is currently running fourth year to date when commercial vehicle sales are excluded.

When Hyundai sold 80,038 cars in 2011, it was the best annual result since the company began importing cars in 1986.

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