Hyundai's U.S. chief says rapid sales growth poses challenges

Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik said that with the automaker on track to sell 100,000 more vehicles this year than in 2010, it has to learn to sell from a leaner inventory and fine-tune its factory output.


As chief executive of Hyundai Motor America, John Krafcik oversees the sales and marketing arm of one of the fastest-growing auto brands in America.

Led by torrid sales of its Elantra compact sedan, Hyundai has sold almost 550,000 vehicles this year, more than it moved in all of 2011 and a sales record for the South Korean automaker. Sales have risen almost 21% through the first 10 months of this year, double the rate of the entire U.S. auto sales market.

Read More: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/24/business/la-fi-auto-show-hyundai-qa-20111124

Hyundai Ups the Ante Again at L.A. Auto Show

By Josh Condon of MSN Autos

Hyundai has enjoyed explosive growth thanks to superbly styled and reliable cars that over deliver on standard goodies — and let's not forget the industry's best warranty. With the new Azera, the Korean badge looks to continue the trend of reshaping formerly bland, cheap cars into visually captivating and value-packed vehicles.

 

What is it? The new iteration of Hyundai's midsize near-luxury sedan is the latest model to adopt the company's Fluidic Sculpture design language, which has created critical and consumer hits out of vehicles such as the Sonata and Elantra.

 

What's hot? It's not just about the looks: The Azera's 3.3-liter direct-injected V6 engine gets a combined city/highway fuel-efficiency rating of 23 mpg, which bests midsize competition such as the Lexus ES350, the V6-powered Buick LaCrosse and the Nissan Maxima. As with its Genesis and Equus models, Hyundai offers luxury amenities that punch above the vehicle's price point, with a leather interior including heated front and rear seats, navigation system, rear camera, dual automatic climate control and nine airbags standard.

 

What's not? Without some time behind the wheel, it's hard to knock yet another captivating design from Hyundai. However, as the Azera slots above the popular Sonata as a steppingstone to the upscale Genesis, the fast-growing manufacturer has quite a bit riding on this model's success.

 

How much and when? Rumors are that it will cost in the low-$30K range. It will go on sale in February 2012.

 

MSN Autos' verdict: With undeniably handsome sheet metal and luxury features at a near-luxury price tag, the new Azera will likely be yet another hit for Hyundai.

Read More: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/hyundai-ups-the-ante-again-at-la-auto-show

Hyundai Azera

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA BREAKS ALL-TIME NOVEMBER SALES RECORD

• Hyundai Elantra, recent recipient of ALG’s award for the highest residual value in its class for the second year in a row, nearly doubles its sales
• Sonata exceeds 200,000 annual U.S. sales for the first time ever

COSTA MESA, Calif., Dec. 1, 2011 – Hyundai Motor America today announced sales of 49,610 vehicles in November, a 22 percent total sales increase and 24 percent retail sales increase compared with the same record-setting period a year ago.

“The Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, including ‘Black Friday,’ proved to be a very strong selling period and helped us break our all-time November sales record,” said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America’s executive vice president of national sales. “With vehicle availability at the highest levels for the year, and with positive demand signals and improving consumer confidence, Hyundai is positioned for a very strong December finish to this record-breaking year.”

Year to date, Hyundai sales are up 21 percent versus 2010 in total, with sales to retail customers up 30 percent. Sales to fleet accounts represent 11 percent of the total sales year-to-date and 10 percent for the month of November. Thirty-six percent of Hyundai vehicles sold in November achieved 40 MPG fuel economy ratings.

The award-winning Hyundai Accent and Elantra continue to deliver a strong one-two punch in the sub-compact and compact car segments with sales increases of 16 percent and 44 percent, respectively, over the same period last year. Tucson and Veracruz, part of Hyundai’s crossover line-up, registered sales increases of 35 and 36 percent, respectively.

“Improving consumer demand and increased product availability at Hyundai dealers nationwide drive a positive December outlook for us,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America’s president and CEO. “While our 35 days-supply level today is low by most standards, it’s the best we’ve seen at the start of a month for some time. Accent, Elantra and Veloster remain in short supply, but healthy dealer stocks on all other Hyundai models should allow consumers a great opportunity to find just the car they’re looking for in December.”

CARLINE	NOV/2011	NOV/2010	CY/2011	CY/2010
ACCENT	4,682	4,052	50,285	49,191
SONATA	15,668	14,031	208,621	180,659
ELANTRA	12,414	8,631	173,336	119,150
SANTA FE	6,129	6,967	69,309	71,396
AZERA	58	248	1,506	2,889
TUCSON	4,101	3,042	42,774	35,553
VELOSTER	2,538	0	7,096	0
VERACRUZ	1,018	747	8,603	7,889
GENESIS	2,702	3,005	30,528	26,699
EQUUS	300	0	2,868	0
TOTAL	49,610	40,723	594,926	493,426

SALES WEIGHTED FUEL ECONOMY

	November CAFE (mpg)		2011 CYTD CAFE	November Window Label Combined MPG	2011 CYTD Window Label Combined MPG
Car	37.5		36.9	28.3	27.8
Truck	28.7		28.7	21.9	21.9
Hyundai Brand	36.4		36.1	27.5	27.2

	November	2011 CYTD
40-MPG Sales	17,889	195,212
Mix of Total Sales	36%	33 %

Hyundai achieved a corporate average fuel economy level of 36.4 MPG (27.5 MPG label value) in November, and 36.1 MPG (27.2 MPG label value) year-to-date, while selling 17,889 vehicles (Elantra sedan, Sonata Hybrid, Accent and Veloster) with 40 MPG window label highway fuel economy ratings. Year-to-date, Hyundai has sold 195,212 40 MPG vehicles.