Hyundai Motor has achieved cumulative sales of 15 million vehicles in the U.S. This monumental milestone comes 36 years after it first exported the Excel, produced at the Ulsan plant, to the United States in 1986.
Hyundai Motor America (HMA) recently delivered its 15 millionth new car to a customer on the 21st at the ‘West Herr Hyundai’ dealership in Williamsville, New York. Randy Parker, CEO of HMA, expressed his joy by stating, “I am very pleased to finish the year 2022 with this milestone of ‘15 million cumulative sales.’”
Hyundai’s entry into the U.S. market began in January 1986. It exported the compact sedan ‘Excel’ produced at the Ulsan plant to the United States. In 2005, marking the 20th anniversary of its U.S. entry, the first local production facility was completed in Alabama.
Using the Alabama plant as a foothold, Hyundai achieved cumulative sales of 5 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2007, and exceeded 10 million cumulative sales in 2015. Seven years later, in December 2022, it recorded the achievement of ’15 million cumulative sales.’
The best-selling model of Hyundai in the U.S. market is the ‘Elantra’ (known locally as the Elantra). It started sales in the U.S. in 1991, and by December of this year, 3.53 million units were sold. Following it are the Sonata (3.14 million units), Santa Fe (1.91 million units), Accent (1.36 million units), and Tucson (1.34 million units).
Unlike the early days when Hyundai mainly sold mid-size and compact sedans, two models (Santa Fe and Tucson) from the SUV segment have now entered the ‘top 5’ in sales. The diversification of the sales lineup has improved profitability and heightened the export capabilities of the Korean automotive industry. Since 2019, Hyundai has also been exporting its large SUV ‘Palisade’ to the U.S.
Recently, the company has been focusing on selling eco-friendly vehicles such as electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids to lead the electrification transition in the U.S., which is considered a leading advanced market. The Ioniq 5, which started local sales last December, has sold over 20,000 units this year alone. The Kona Electric has also recorded nearly 9,000 units in sales this year.
In October, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony for a dedicated EV factory, the ‘Hyundai Group Metaplant America (HMGMA)’, in Bryan County, Georgia. HMGMA, which is expected to have an annual production capacity of 300,000 units, aims to begin mass production in 2025.
Randy Parker, the CEO, stated, “Hyundai will continue to expand its electric vehicle lineup and production capacity in the U.S. and aims to maintain its growth trend in 2023 and beyond following such remarkable achievements this year.”
Jang Jin Lee daedusj@autodiary.kr