Gasgoo.com (Shanghai February 25) - According to Gasgoo.com (Chinese) compiled statistics, 53,500 Hyundais were sold in China this January. With its above average sales performance, Hyundai was the fourth best selling passenger vehicle brand in the month. Beijing Hyundai, meanwhile, ranked as the fifth best selling passenger vehicle enterprise, falling only behind Shanghai VW, Shanghai GM, FAW-VW and Dongfeng Nissan.

Chief among Beijing Hyundai's best selling models in January was the Verna (pictured above). Sales of the subcompact last month managed to exceed 17,000 units, an increase of over 60 percent from January 2011. The eighth generation Sonata (pictured below) managed to make 8,006 sales in the month. Monthly sales of the Sonata have constantly exceeded 6,000 units since its debut last April, with its sales performance in September topping 10,000 units. The Sonata's enviable performance has been attributed to its overall performance and quality, as well as a very effective marketing and sales strategy on the part of Beijing Hyundai. The joint venture provided the Sonata with a comprehensive warranty program eligible for five years or 100,000 km driven. LMC Automotive Asia-Pacific has previously applauded the work Beijing Hyundai has put into the Sonata.

"Currently Hyundai is employing a strategy of rapid development," LMC Automotive Asia-Pacific Forecasting Director Zeng Zhiling commented. "As far as China is concerned, it is looking to break into the mid- to high-class markets." Mr. Zeng predicts that Beijing Hyundai will be bringing over more of its products to China in the future.