Korean car giant posts record MidEast sales

Hyundai Motor Company on Sunday announced record sales for the Middle East region in 2012, breaking the 300,000 vehicles barrier for the first time.

The world's fourth largest automotive manufacturer registered a 7.7 percent increase compared to 2011, with total sales of 305,800 units.

The Korean manufacturer sold its two millionth car in the region since it began exports in 1976, it said in a statement.

Kuwait registered the biggest growth with sales up 80 percent to 10,828 units, followed by the UAE with a year-on-year increase in sales of 66 percent to 20,031 vehicles.

Saudi Arabia maintained its position as Hyundai's single biggest market, increasing sales by 15 percent to 123,796 units.

Hyundai's compact car topped the sales chart with 75,133 Accents snapped up by customers, followed by the new generation Elantra which registered sales of 66,414 units.

Tom Lee, head of Hyundai Middle East's regional headquarters, said: "This record-breaking sales growth reinforces the success of Hyundai's acclaimed 'modern premium' brand direction, which means that we are producing cars of the highest quality, cars that customers are buying in ever-increasing numbers."

Globally, Hyundai Motor Company also experienced a record year, with sales of 4.4 million cars, equating to an increase of 8.6 percent on the previous year.