Hyundai Reaches Sales Record in Europe's Weak 2004 Auto Market

RUESSELSHEIM, Germany, January 7 --

- 21 Per Cent Sales Increase in 2004

- European Sales Accumulate to 339,767 Units for 2004

- 30,473 Units Sold in December

While most car makers seem to have had a not-so-good time in Europe's 2004 decreasing car market, some have managed extremely well. At the end of the year, Hyundai Motor Europe (HME) can look back on the best sales result in its history.

Hyundai's efforts to raise brand awareness by sponsoring events, such as the UEFA EURO 2004 and the Summer Olympic Games in Athens, and, at the same time, to improve vehicle and service quality clearly paid off. Nearly 340,000 Europeans bought a Hyundai in 2004, thereby increasing HME's sales numbers by 21 per cent.

With 106,792 units sold, the Getz was Hyundai's best-selling model in Europe in 2004, followed by the Santa Fe with 39,801 units and the Matrix with 38,039 units.

Hyundai's prospects for 2005 are even brighter: The Tucson SUV, which was introduced in September, has already shown very promising results (September to December 18,605 units) and will undoubtedly further enhance Hyundai's strong position in the SUV segment. And with the 2006 World Cup in sight Hyundai's sponsoring and sports marketing activities will ensure a continuously high level of brand awareness and will contribute to boosting Hyundai's brand image in the European market.