This jump was bolstered by a substantial improvement in North American sales during the month of August 2009. Hyundai sold 60,467 vehicles last month -- a 33-percent increase over July of 2009, a 47-percent increase over August 2008's figures, and an all-time record for the South Korean company's North American wing.
The worldwide recession has become something of a perfect storm for Hyundai. John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, told The Washington Post that "value-focused brands tend to do better than premium brands during difficult economic times, and that's played to our natural strength."
Of course, a string of successful new products, government incentives (a.k.a. "cash for clunkers"), and some savvy marketing programs (e.g. the Hyundai Assurance programs) haven't hurt, either...
Source: Washington Post