Hyundai Motor Group is poised to achieve a historic sales milestone in the United Kingdom this year, a significant accomplishment considering the UK's stature as a traditional hub for the global automotive industry.
According to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on Monday, Hyundai Motor Group, encompassing Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Corp., and Genesis, collectively sold 173,428 vehicles in the UK from January to October. This represents an impressive 8.7% surge in sales compared to the same period last year, securing the group a 10.8% market share.
Projections suggest that Hyundai Motor Group is on track to break its previous UK sales record of 186,625 units, set in the previous year with 181,610 units sold. Hyundai Motor, in particular, secured the eighth position in the competitive UK market with 75,456 vehicles sold during the reported period. Meanwhile, Kia claimed the fourth spot, selling 96,784 vehicles, and Genesis, introduced locally last year, recorded sales of 1,188 units.
The notable success in the UK market underscores Hyundai Motor Group's adaptability and strategic focus on eco-friendly vehicles. The SMMT reports that eco-friendly cars, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), accounted for 36.0% of the total 1,605,437 vehicles sold in the UK from January to October – a 3.5 percentage point increase from the previous year.
In response to this trend, Hyundai Motor Group has actively expanded its electric and hybrid offerings, with combined sales of eco-friendly vehicles reaching 84,420 units, marking a commendable 6.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Electric vehicle sales rose by 4.2%, totaling 28,456 units, while hybrid car sales experienced an 8.2% increase, reaching 51,986 units.
Notably, Hyundai Motor Group's commitment to eco-friendly vehicles has demonstrated consistent year-on-year growth, with sales escalating from 36,750 units in 2020 to 86,294 units in 2022.
Kia has also contributed to this eco-friendly drive by expanding its electric vehicle portfolio from two models in 2020 to four models, including the EV6 introduced in 2021 and the EV9 launched in the second half of this year.
In alignment with the local market, Hyundai Motor Group unveiled the IONIQ 5 N electric car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023, the UK's largest automotive festival, in July. Additionally, the group has shown support for culture, arts, and sports marketing in its efforts to cater to the diverse preferences of UK consumers.
