Proving that South Korea remains a viable competitor, Hyundai and Kia presented mixed results in August sales. While Hyundai and Kia were both down year-over-year, partially due to their success during the government’s Cash for Clunkers program last August, their newest sellers have provided a large boost.

At Hyundai, the big winners were its most recent, or recently designed, entries. Sales of the midsize Sonata nearly doubled, from 11,815 to 21,399, placing it closer behind entries like the bestselling Camry. Similarly, the Tucson sport-utility vehicle saw a double-digit percentage increase, and is performing over 100 percent better, calendar-year-to-date. The Accent, Santa Fe, and Elantra didn’t fare as well as they did under Cash for Clunkers; the Accent barely managed one-third of its August 2009 sales, the Santa Fe dropped by half, and sales of the Elantra dropped by about one-third.

Hyundai is preparing for the launch of the Equus sedan, which should bolster its luxury-car offerings. The Genesis is selling better year-over-year than when it was introduced for 2009.

Earlier this year, Kia introduced a new Sorento crossover, which has led the South Korean automaker’s sales ever since. Kia moved a total of 9040 Sorentos in August, accounting for 28 percent of the brand’s total sales. Kia’s next best-selling car was the Soul, which was introduced for the 2010 model year, with 7021 sales. Nipping at the Soul’s heels were the Forte sedan and coupe with a total of 6260 vehicles moved. Kia’s Sportage SUV followed with 3422 sales. In an indication of what Kia’s future sales might hold, its four latest vehicles’ sales accounted for almost 77 percent of its total August volume, although they make up less than half the lineup.

“Our design-led evolution is delivering new vehicles that have elevated the brand with world-class styling and the latest in technology and convenience features and transformed the Kia retail showrooms,” said Kia Motors America’s vice president of sales Tom Loveless.

Sales of the Optima reflect the car’s age, as well as anticipation surrounding the 2011 model due out shortly; sales dropped a whopping 77 percent over August of last year. Kia’s small Rio and Spectra models posted similar drops at 70 and almost 100 percent respectively, showing the influence of Cash for Clunkers. (The Spectra was phased out this year and replaced by the Forte.) Kia’s Rondo mini-minivan was the last big loser in its lineup, with sales of only 94 units compared to 1259 last year.

Kia’s remaining models, the Borrego, and Sedona, posted a sales gain as a whole, as the increase in Sedona sales covered the Borrego and the no-longer-for-sale Amanti’s losses. Kia moved 2199 Sedona minivans in August compared to 1346 last August. Remaining sales of Amanti sedans dropped to 17 units from 81 a year prior, and Borrego sales dropped to 600 from 992.

With Hyundai and Kia’s portfolios rapidly expanding, we’re excited to watch the sales figures as the pain from “Clunkers” eases.

Source: Hyundai, Kia

Previous Cash for Clunkers success didn’t spare the Korean competition last month, with Hyundai down 11 percent from August 2009 year-over-year and Kia dropping 19 percent for the same period. Both automakers remain in the positive for year-to-date sales, with Hyundai up 17 percent and Kia up 9.7 percent.

At Hyundai, the big winners were its most recent, or recently designed, entries. Sales of the midsize Sonata nearly doubled, from 11,815 to 21,399, placing it closer behind entries like the bestselling Camry. Similarly, the Tucson sport-utility vehicle saw a double-digit percentage increase, and is performing over 100 percent better, calendar-year-to-date. The Accent, Santa Fe, and Elantra didn’t fare as well as they did under Cash for Clunkers; the Accent barely managed one-third of its August 2009 sales, the Santa Fe dropped by half, and sales of the Elantra dropped by about one-third.

Hyundai is preparing for the launch of the Equus sedan, which should bolster its luxury-car offerings. The Genesis is selling better year-over-year than when it was introduced for 2009.

Earlier this year, Kia introduced a new Sorento crossover, which has led the South Korean automaker’s sales ever since. Kia moved a total of 9040 Sorentos in August, accounting for 28 percent of the brand’s total sales. Kia’s next best-selling car was the Soul, which was introduced for the 2010 model year, with 7021 sales. Nipping at the Soul’s heels were the Forte sedan and coupe with a total of 6260 vehicles moved. Kia’s Sportage SUV followed with 3422 sales. In an indication of what Kia’s future sales might hold, its four latest vehicles’ sales accounted for almost 77 percent of its total August volume, although they make up less than half the lineup.

“Our design-led evolution is delivering new vehicles that have elevated the brand with world-class styling and the latest in technology and convenience features and transformed the Kia retail showrooms,” said Kia Motors America’s vice president of sales Tom Loveless.

Sales of the Optima reflect the car’s age, as well as anticipation surrounding the 2011 model due out shortly; sales dropped a whopping 77 percent over August of last year. Kia’s small Rio and Spectra models posted similar drops at 70 and almost 100 percent respectively, showing the influence of Cash for Clunkers. (The Spectra was phased out this year and replaced by the Forte.) Kia’s Rondo mini-minivan was the last big loser in its lineup, with sales of only 94 units compared to 1259 last year.

Kia’s remaining models, the Borrego, and Sedona, posted a sales gain as a whole, as the increase in Sedona sales covered the Borrego and the no-longer-for-sale Amanti’s losses. Kia moved 2199 Sedona minivans in August compared to 1346 last August. Remaining sales of Amanti sedans dropped to 17 units from 81 a year prior, and Borrego sales dropped to 600 from 992.

With Hyundai and Kia’s portfolios rapidly expanding, we’re excited to watch the sales figures as the pain from “Clunkers” eases.

Source: Hyundai, Kia