Hyundai, Kia notch records on Santa Fe, Soul - Automotive News
Facing stock market turmoil and an unfriendly calendar, Korean siblings Hyundai and Kia still set monthly U. S. sales records in August on strong demand for crossovers. Hyundai reported selling 72,012 vehicles for the month, a 2. 9 percent increase, as Kia claimed 58,897 units sold, up 7. 7 percent. Leading the way for Kia was the boxy Soul hatchback, which handily beat the Optima to become Kia’s sales leader. “Kia has outpaced the industry all year, and that trend continued in August,” Michael Sprague, COO of Kia Motors America, said in a statement. “We set our fourth consecutive monthly sales record despite significant turbulence in the stock market and not having the benefit of Labor Day weekend sales. Through eight months, Kia’s yearly sales are up 5. 4 percent. Hyundai benefited from a 30 percent boost in sales of the three-row Santa Fe and an 18 percent gain for the two-row Santa Fe Sport. Source: www.autonews.com
