Hyundai in top 10 list of most innovative companies
Hyundai has been listed as the only car manufacturer in a list of the top ten most innovative global companies by a poll of over 1500 senior executives in over 20 markets. The poll, organised by Boston Consulting Group sought to name the most innovative global companies that offer a model for action in an area of increasing importance to firms worldwide.
Placing at 10th place, Hyundai shares the top ranks with other corporate giants such as Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Facebook, IBM, Sony, Haier and Amazon.
"In a turbulent economic environment, innovation is an important driver of the organic growth necessary to generate sustained, above-average returns," the study said. "Whatever form innovation takes, its goal is clear to successful organisations: to create value from ideas."
Meanwhile, Hyundai also started the new year with some great, positive figures. Hyundai announced how in Europe it has also continued its growth with a best-ever year, selling 444,000 units in 2012 which is up 10.2% on the previous year and a market share of 3.4%. Sales for Hyundai globally also rose 8.6% to 4.4 million. 89% of all Hyundai vehicles sold in Europe are built outside of Korea, with 70% manufactured at the Company’s European plants in Nosovice, Czech Republic and Izmit in Turkey.
Hyundai UK has contributed to nearly 17% of all Hyundai sales in Europe and has started the new year as one of the top ten best-selling manufacturers in the UK – the first time for any Korean car brand – after recording best-ever sales of 74,285 vehicles. Hyundai UK outperformed the car market by more than three times increasing sales over 2011 by 18.1% and it secured a record market share of 3.63%. It also became the fastest-growing manufacturer in the fleet sector with an impressive 40% increase in fleet sales versus 2011.
“Despite challenging economic and social conditions, Hyundai has had an exceptional year. The investment in desirable new products which offer more than just good value has been integral to consumers reappraising the Hyundai brand. In the UK, Hyundai has seen sales nearly triple in just four years and from 21st in the UK car market, Hyundai is now at number 10, which is a tremendous achievement,” said Hyundai UK.
In the UK, the best-selling model of 2012 was the award-winning i10 with over 23,000 units sold, up 13.5% versus 2011. It was the second best-selling car in the A-segment - outselling the likes of the Ford Ka and VW Up - with a segment share of 12.5%.
Carbuyer.co.uk’s Car of the Year – the i30 – sold more than 12,000 units whereas the New Generation i30 has also recently been shortlisted for the 2013 European Car of the Year award. The i20 is Hyundai’s third best-seller with sales of over 11,000 vehicles. Following closely behind also with over 11,000 units sold, the ix35 – currently the oldest product in the Hyundai range – saw an astonishing increase of 58% versus 2011 and a segment share of nearly 5%.