March 2013 - Hyundai Motor America

[William Maley]

Hyundai Motor America Sets All-Time Record First Quarter Sales

• March sales are the second best month in history
• Elantra sets all-time record, up 33 percent

COSTA MESA, Calif., April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America today announced sales of 68,306 units, down just two percent versus the best volume month Hyundai ever recorded last year, and up more than 30 percent over February levels. The first quarter of 2013 was the best in Hyundai's history.

"March felt just great," said Dave Zuchowski , executive vice president of national sales. "We definitely benefitted from better inventories of Elantra thanks to the addition of the third shift at our Alabama plant, improved weather conditions in our important Northern markets and more robust retail activity reflecting a steady recovery in consumer confidence. Elantra led the pack with an all-time monthly sales record of 26,153 units, up 33 percent year-over-year. Sonata Hybrid also set a new all-time sales record with 2,006 sales, up 13 percent versus last year."

Fleet mix was 17 percent for the month and stands at 16 percent for the year, among the lowest in the industry.

"This March was an incredibly strong month for us, the second best sales month in our history, just two percent below our all-time record from last March," said John Krafcik , president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "While our plants continue to stretch to hit our demand levels, we still have one of the tightest inventory levels in the industry. This month, you could see the impact of improved Elantra availability, but our dealers remain constrained on Sonata, which continues as one of the fastest turning mid-size cars in the industry."

According to data from Cars.com, the traditional five highest volume mid-size sedans (Accord, Camry, Altima, Fusion, andMalibu) have 72 percent more dealer stock than Sonata.

Sales in March of Certified Pre-Owned vehicles totaled 6,715, up eight percent for the first quarter. More than 80 percent of Hyundai's dealers are now participating in the CPO program, which has been a key component in driving Hyundai residual values to record high levels. Hyundai Elantra, Azera, and Santa Fe Sport are all ALG Residual Value award winners for the 2013 model year.