Hyundai Motor Company has posted a 61.3 percent rise in September global sales compared to last year helped by the launch of two new models, the ix35 and the all-new Sonata - codenamed YF, as well as strong sales from overseas plants.

Hyundai New Zealand is continuing its strong performance and is up four percent YTD while the total market has declined 28 percent.

The new YF has had an excellent introduction to the Korean market selling 9,517 units and helping keep the Sonata as Korea's most popular model. The new model was launched on September 17th and will be introduced to the New Zealand market half way through next year.

Here in New Zealand Hyundai's market share for the September passenger market saw an achievement of 6.72 percent of total passenger sales and 8.52 percent YTD. Hyundai's total market share is at 7.17 percent YTD for 2009 selling 3755 vehicles.

Hyundai New Zealand Executive Director Philip Eustace says that South Korea's leading automaker has achieved a rapid rise on the global stage because of continuous improvement in the quality and design of its vehicles.

"Hyundai is continuing to spend billions of dollars on research and development while other manufacturers have had to pull back due to their poor financial performance. Ongoing research and development is key to a brand's success on the global stage.

"Hyundai's globalisation efforts have greatly contributed to the company's rapid growth by establishing a manufacturing base in the key emerging markets of India and China, where it has enjoyed immense success," says Eustace.

Total overseas sales, including both exports from Korea and sales from overseas plants, rose by 50 percent to 238,611 units in September up from 159,031 units a year earlier, aided by strong sales from Hyundai's overseas plants in China, India and the Czech Republic.

Exports from Korea increased by 43.9 percent to 88,331 units for the month compared to a year earlier and sales from overseas plants rose 53.9 percent to 150,280 units.

"Hyundai clearly has the right product and vision to move powerfully forward in global market conditions that are exceedingly tough. Here in New Zealand, it's significant that Hyundai sales have stayed strong so far this year in a declining market," says Eustace.