Hyundai surpasses 500,000 yearly U.S. sales for first time

For the first since it debuted in the United States in 1986, Hyundai Motor Co. has sold 500,000 vehicles during a year in the United States. The South Korean automaker previous U.S. sales record was 467,009, in 2007, and, surpassed the half-million sales point in early December. It expects to sell 530,000 vehicles in the country by the end December.

Hyundai sold about 160,000 Excel compacts in 1986 when it launched exports to the U.S. The following year, sales improved to more that 260,000. Quality issues prompted a sales decrease and Hyundai sold only cars 91,217 in 1998, its lowest sales year.

Hyundai launched a concerted effort to improve its vehicles in 1999. It began offering a quality assurance program including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, with sales improving and reaching the 400,000 mark by 2003.

Hyundai has sold more than 180,000 of its largest-selling vehicle, the Sonata, sedans so far this year.

In addition to the Sonata, Hyundai also manufactures the Accent, Elantra, Azera, Tuscon, Santa Fe, Veracruz, Genesis and Equus.