Hyundai, Kia's best-selling models expand global presence

SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Group, the world's fifth-largest automotive group, saw its best-selling models expand their global foothold in 2015 despite tougher competition with rivals, data showed Monday.

Hyundai Motor Co. and its sister company Kia Motors Corp. had 19 models whose sales exceeded 100,000 units last year in six nations, including South Korea, the United States, China, India, Brazil and Russia, according to the data compiled by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).

The number of hit models increased from 17 in 2014 and 14 in 2013, the KITA said.

In the domestic market, mid-size sedan Sonata and sub-compact Avante were the most popular brands.

In the U.S., over 200,000 units of the Sonata and Avante were sold, and four other models broke the 100,000 sales threshold.

The Landong, known as the Avante MD in South Korea, was the best-selling model in China, marking 267,085 sales last year, trailed by the subcompact Accent. Five other models had over 100,000 unit sales in the world's largest auto market.

ejkim@yna.co.kr
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