Inventory Issues Limit Hyundai To A 4% Gain In August Sales

HyundaiMotor America announced an all-time August sales record of 61,099 units, a four percent increase compared with the same period a year ago and the best August sales level in company history, even topping the Cash for Clunkers mark set in 2009.

"We feel really good about the way August shaped up as our overall inventory situation continued to improve and consumer response to the all-new Santa Fe has been nothing short of remarkable," said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales.

The all-new Azera continued its strong sales pace resulting in an incredible 977 percent gain over last August. The Elantra family and Tucson saw sales gains of 19.5 percent and 29 percent, respectively, over the same period a year ago, and Veloster remains red hot as customers now have a choice of both turbo and non-turbo models of the innovative three-door coupe. Hyundai fleet sales and mix remained relatively low at seven percent mix for the month and a nine percent mix year-to-date, among the lowest in the industry.

cidflekken - 9/4/2012 2:36:43 PM

+2 Boost

I'm still confused why the Spies here always tout Hyundai as the best, most genius car company extant. As I've said in the past, they build good cars, not great cars. But on top of that, their sales numbers aren't making anyone quake in their shoes. The Accord has sold 60,000 more units this year than the Sonata, and that spread continues to increase as Accords' sales continue to improve this year, despite it being at the end of its cycle. The Civic continues to absolutely trounce the Elantra, despite all the criticism of the Honda. Regarding the TL vs. Genesis comparison, you can really combine the TSX and TL sales (as they are closely aligned) against the Genesis sedan/coupe and Honda/Acura trounces them.
Also, calling the Azera's sales increase "incredible" is just laughable. Not hard to make gains on sales of 89 units last year.

HughJass - 9/4/2012 2:50:27 PM

+2 Boost

So what's the purpose of having the Hyundai Azera and Genesis both in their lineup? Its clear one is killing the other although the Genesis does get about 1000x more marketing dollars thrown at it.
I forgot the Azera even existed until I looked through the list.

Supply limits? They sold more last year so we know they can meet the volume, and they didn't have to compete against Toyota/Honda last year. If anything, they should've had supply problems last year, not this year when Toyota/Honda are coming back to remind Hyundai who #1 is.

HughJass - 9/4/2012 7:44:07 PM

+1 Boost

I wonder if the Avalon sells more than the Genesis sedan and Azera combined? That would be funny.

But the turd is cheap, that innovation enough. Look at Samsung.