COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America today announced record sales of 59,435 vehicles in December, a 17 percent total sales increase and three percent retail sales increase compared with the same record-setting period a year ago.

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For the year, Hyundai sales were up nine percent versus 2011 in both retail and total sales.  Sales to fleet accounts represented just 10 percent of total sales for 2012, among the lowest in the industry.

"The holiday selling season, in conjunction with improved consumer confidence, made for a successful December," said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales. "Our momentum over the last several months, paired with improved inventory levels and the launch of seven new or refreshed products in 2012, positions us for continued growth in the new year, especially with the seven-passenger version of the new Santa Fe set to launch in the next few weeks."

The Alabama-built Sonata and Elantra, two of the top-10 retail-selling cars in 2012, once again set full-year records with sales of 230,605 units, up two percent and 202,034 units, up eight percent, respectively. Sonata Hybrid sales were up 74 percent for the year. Veloster finished the year up 276 percent with a strong showing of 34,862 sales, best ever, and the recently refreshed Accent saw sales gains of 10 percent. The all-new Azera continues to sell at a quick pace and saw sales gains of 453 percent for the year.

With the North American International Auto Show just around the corner, Hyundai is making plans to reveal the new design direction for its premium rear-wheel drive lineup.  In 2012, Hyundai's premium Genesis and Equus models continued to surprise and delight more and more consumers, experiencing their fifth consecutive year of sales growth. Hyundai's six percent retail market share in the premium segments in which it competes now exceeds Hyundai's overall five percent retail share of the total industry. Genesis delivered 33,973 sales for the year, an increase of three percent over 2011, with Equus sales up 24 percent to 3,972. Both models set annual sales records, while Hyundai's total rear-wheel drive car sales of 37,945 places it above many established luxury nameplates in this category.    

"We closed 2012 with strong demand in both volume and premium segments, and all-time sales records for December and the full year," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.  "2013 will mark our first full year of three-shift U.S. production for Sonata, Elantra, and Santa Fe, which will allow us to better meet the demand we're seeing from American car buyers for our three most popular vehicles."

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HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. 

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America