Note to the auto industry: Young vehicles touting impressive fuel economy, notable safety ratings, and stylish designs sell big, at least in the US market. Both Kia and Hyundai understand this concept and have posted some record-setting sales numbers.
Let’s start with bigger cousin, Hyundai. The brand sold 61,873 units in March, which is up 32% versus the same time last year, and up 42% versus February 2011. For the year, sales are up 28% to 142,620 units.
As expected, the recently launched Sonata and Elantra sedans led the way on the sales charts. Combined, their sales were up 55% against March 2010. They represented 68% of the total Hyundai volume that was moved off dealer lots.
Here are the numbers:
| CARLINE | MAR/2011 | MAR/2010 | CY/2011 | CY/2010 |
| ACCENT | 5,739 | 4,233 | 14,487 | 15,288 |
| SONATA | 22,894 | 18,935 | 51,878 | 31,747 |
| ELANTRA | 19,255 | 8,225 | 41,203 | 23,881 |
| SANTA FE | 5,701 | 9,548 | 14,392 | 24,716 |
| AZERA | 199 | 225 | 522 | 698 |
| TUCSON | 4,508 | 3,084 | 10,713 | 8,041 |
| VERACRUZ | 672 | 607 | 1,809 | 1,561 |
| GENESIS | 2,664 | 2,145 | 6,888 | 5,577 |
| EQUUS | 241 | n/a | 728 | n/a |
| TOTAL | 61,873 | 47,002 | 142,620 | 111,509 |
Kia attained its own best ever sales month to date with a total of 44,179 units sold in March. That marks a 44.7% increase over March of last year, and a growth of 34.7% versus February 2011.
The Sorento SUV and funky-looking Soul headed the sales charts. Surpassing its own company forecasts was the Equus which captured a 6% market share for the year-to-date timeframe.
Here are the numbers:
| MONTH OF MARCH | Year-To-Date | |||||
| Model | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||
| Rio | 2,070 | 2,231 | 4,885 | 6,578 | ||
| Spectra | 1 | 46 | 1 | 148 | ||
| Forte | 7,533 | 4,830 | 18,167 | 12,894 | ||
| Optima | 6,891 | 3,633 | 15,554 | 9,266 | ||
| Amanti | - | 31 | 1 | 97 | ||
| Sportage | 4,715 | 1,414 | 11,704 | 3,264 | ||
| Sorento | - | 59 | - | 691 | ||
| MY’11 Sorento | 11,071 | 9,156 | 27,828 | 24,761 | ||
| Sedona | 1,797 | 2,491 | 4,266 | 4,397 | ||
| Rondo | 9 | 932 | 40 | 1,753 | ||
| Borrego | 64 | 593 | 271 | 1,996 | ||
| Soul | 10,028 | 5,106 | 22,057 | 10,851 | ||
| Total | 44,179 | 30,522 | 104,774 | 76,696 | ||
