Sales figures from ACEA reveal that Hyundai was the most successful mainstream car manufacturer in Europe during September. The brand’s sales of 34,943 units equated to growth of 53.7 per cent compared to the same month last year – significantly ahead of the total market’s 6.3 per cent rise. This performance gave Hyundai a 2.5 per cent market share, in line with the company’s previously-stated objective for 2009 and well ahead of the 1.7 per cent secured in September 2008.

For the year to date, Hyundai stands head and shoulders above its competitors in terms of growth. Sales volume of 261.248 units represents an increase of 23,5 per cent over the first nine months of 2008, while the total market has declined by 6,6 per cent.

Among Hyundai’s leading performers is the C-segment i30 – built in Europe in both hatchback and CW estate body styles. Following the introduction this year of cleaner diesels and Blue-badged models with intelligent stop-start technology, sales of i30 have increased by a third (33 per cent) to over 68,000 units.