Hyundai continues strong sales in U.S.

NEW YORK, July 1 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor, South Korea's biggest carmaker, continued its strong sales momentum in the United States in June, armed with low prices and higher-quality products, the company's local operation arm said Friday.
Hyundai Motor America (HMA) said it sold 59,209 vehicles last month, up 16 percent from 51,205 a year earlier. It marks the company's highest June sales.
Hyundai has been expanding its market share in the U.S., capitalizing on the growing competitiveness of its automobiles. Its Japanese rivals have also been hurt by the March earthquake and tsunami.
The sale of the Sonata, Hyundai's top-selling U.S. model, increased 4.9 percent, and the Avante, named Elantra in the U.S., rose 40 percent. The fuel-efficient sedans have driven Hyundai's sales growth in the U.S. market in recent months, especially in the wake of the quake and ensuing tsunami in Japan.
HMA said the sales of other models, including the Santa Fe and Tucson SUVs and the luxury Genesis sedan, also rose compared to June 2010.
Meanwhile, Hyundai's sister company, Kia Motors, said it sold 45,044 vehicles in the U.S., a 41.2-percent increase from a year earlier. Sales of the compact car Soul grew 76 percent, to 11,314.
Hyundai and Kia have assembly lines in the U.S. to meet growing demands. Hyundai operates a plant in Alabama that can produce 300,000 vehicles a year, and Kia opened a factory in Georgia in late 2009.