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Auto sales: Kia hits 2-year consecutive sales record milestone
Irvine-based automaker has continually surpassed year-over-year sales numbers
by Caitlin AdamsPublished: September 06, 2012 12:45 PM
The 2012 Kia OptimaKia Motors America has achieved its two-year milestone of building on sales success, month after month. The Irvine-based automaker has noted 24 consecutive months of increased sales figures over the prior year during the same period. In August, Kia’s U.S. sales totaled 50,028 vehicles, a surge of 21.5 percent over the same month in 2011.
Kia’s growing presence in the domestic auto market was noted and lauded by Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, the automaker’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility.
"In a short period of time the Kia brand has transformed into a recognized leader in automotive design, and together with our lineup of stylish, fun-to-drive cars and CUVs and memorable marketing initiatives we have achieved another remarkable milestone with our two-year run of monthly sales records," Mo Ahn said.
For Costa Mesa-based Hyundai Motor America, the company made particular note of its sixth month of sales in a row that broke the 60,000-unit mark. August sales amounted to 61,099 vehicles nationwide, which also marks the company’s best-ever August sales, surpassing the previous record set during a “Cash for Clunkers” promotion in 2009. Last month’s numbers represent a 4 percent increase over August 2011.
Sales of the automaker’s all-new Azera contributed to the strong numbers, along with Elantra and Tucson. The newly introduced Veloster, which is now available in turbo and non-turbo models, also boosted sales numbers past last year.
"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 for Hyundai.
Mazda North American Operations noted an overall decrease in August sales numbers, but noted improving sales for vehicles equipped with the automaker’s new SKYACTIV technology. Irvine-based Mazda reported a total of 22,234 units sold last month, almost 400 fewer than the same month in 2011, representing a dip of 1.8 percent. August’s sales were dominated by the popularity of SKYACTIVE-equipped vehicles with buyers, which accounted for 65 percent of the month’s total sales.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, headquartered in Cypress, released its sales figures for August, noting a 46.8 percent decrease in sales compared to the same month in 2011. The brand sold 4,249 units last month, and has noted in previous reports that its seemingly hefty decline in 2012 sales is due to Mitsubishi ending production of several vehicle models in late 2011. The discontinued models continue to show up in last year’s sales figures, inflating the gap between 2011 and 2012 sales.
August marked the debut month of sales for the 2013 Outlander Sport, Mitsubishi’s most popular auto and the brand’s top-selling model. Company President and CEO Yoichi Yokozawa noted that the company recently launched a new marketing campaign for the new model over Labor Day weekend. "Customers continue to be attracted to the Outlander Sport's mix of style, performance, and fuel efficiency."
American Suzuki Motor Corp.’s August sales came in at 1,968 vehicles, a decline of 18.3 percent compared to 2011. The Brea-based automaker identified the SX4 as its most popular model with car buyers, leading 2011 with a 2 percent year-to-date increase in sales.
Automaker Aug. 2012 units Aug. 2011 units % change
Kia 50,028 41,188 21.5 increase
Hyundai 61,099 58,505 4 increase
Mazda 22,234 22,632 1.8 decline
Mitsubishi 4,249 7,985 46.8 decline
Suzuki 1,968 2,409 18.3 decline
Related headlines
O.C. automakers report mixed month in July
O.C. automakers report solid June sales
O.C. automakers continue positive growth
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The 2012 Kia Optima Kia’s growing presence in the domestic auto market was noted and lauded by Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, the automaker’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility. "In a short period of time the Kia brand has transformed into a recognized leader in automotive design, and together with our lineup of stylish, fun-to-drive cars and CUVs and memorable marketing initiatives we have achieved another remarkable milestone with our two-year run of monthly sales records," Mo Ahn said. For Costa Mesa-based Hyundai Motor America, the company made particular note of its sixth month of sales in a row that broke the 60,000-unit mark. August sales amounted to 61,099 vehicles nationwide, which also marks the company’s best-ever August sales, surpassing the previous record set during a “Cash for Clunkers” promotion in 2009. Last month’s numbers represent a 4 percent increase over August 2011. Sales of the automaker’s all-new Azera contributed to the strong numbers, along with Elantra and Tucson. The newly introduced Veloster, which is now available in turbo and non-turbo models, also boosted sales numbers past last year. "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 for Hyundai. Mazda North American Operations noted an overall decrease in August sales numbers, but noted improving sales for vehicles equipped with the automaker’s new SKYACTIV technology. Irvine-based Mazda reported a total of 22,234 units sold last month, almost 400 fewer than the same month in 2011, representing a dip of 1.8 percent. August’s sales were dominated by the popularity of SKYACTIVE-equipped vehicles with buyers, which accounted for 65 percent of the month’s total sales. Mitsubishi Motors North America, headquartered in Cypress, released its sales figures for August, noting a 46.8 percent decrease in sales compared to the same month in 2011. The brand sold 4,249 units last month, and has noted in previous reports that its seemingly hefty decline in 2012 sales is due to Mitsubishi ending production of several vehicle models in late 2011. The discontinued models continue to show up in last year’s sales figures, inflating the gap between 2011 and 2012 sales. August marked the debut month of sales for the 2013 Outlander Sport, Mitsubishi’s most popular auto and the brand’s top-selling model. Company President and CEO Yoichi Yokozawa noted that the company recently launched a new marketing campaign for the new model over Labor Day weekend. "Customers continue to be attracted to the Outlander Sport's mix of style, performance, and fuel efficiency." American Suzuki Motor Corp.’s August sales came in at 1,968 vehicles, a decline of 18.3 percent compared to 2011. The Brea-based automaker identified the SX4 as its most popular model with car buyers, leading 2011 with a 2 percent year-to-date increase in sales. Automaker Aug. 2012 units Aug. 2011 units % change Kia 50,028 41,188 21.5 increase Hyundai 61,099 58,505 4 increase Mazda 22,234 22,632 1.8 decline Mitsubishi 4,249 7,985 46.8 decline Suzuki 1,968 2,409 18.3 decline Related headlines O.C. automakers report mixed month in July O.C. automakers report solid June sales O.C. automakers continue positive growth |
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