Hyundai Veloster Coupe best
selling in U.S. Market
News:
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co.'s Veloster coupe ranked No. 1
in terms of sales in the U.S. small sporty hatchback market, industry data
showed Tuesday.According to Autodata, a dedicated provider of automotive information, the Veloster's sales reached 2,777 units in September, edging ahead of the 2,737 Fiat 500s sold in the world's second-largest new car market.
It marked the first time since Oct. 2011 that the Veloster beat out all of its competitors, such as the Scion TC, Volkswagen (VW) GTI and the Mini Cooper S.
Hyundai Motor, South Korea's largest automaker, said that while the Veloster's good numbers reflected traditionally sluggish sales for the month to some extent, the car's attributes, including its striking design and two turbo engine choices also played a role. Unlike many coupes, or so-called hot hatches, the Veloster has a three-passenger door arrangement that is unique on the road.
"Veloster, unlike rivals, has remained a steady seller since its debut in 2011," the company said.
It added that upgrades in engines have rectified one of the very few complaints raised against the car in the past, which had been its "slow" acceleration and unimpressive speed.
In the first nine months of this year, Veloster's sales reached 22,965 units, placing it third after the Fiat 500 and VW Beetle. The much newer Fiat car sold 26,616 units with Beetle's sales hitting 23,306 units. Sales of the Mini Cooper reached 20,565 vehicles, placing it fourth.
Hyundai said that it will introduce a face-lifted Veloster in November to improve the overall competitiveness of the car, while maintaining its excellent value.
The carmaker said that it plans to add a seven-speed dual clutch transmission to the updated Veloster to improve its responsiveness and handling characteristics.
Despite strong sales in the United States, Hyundai said sales of the car in the home market reached just 114 units in September, down 62.1 percent compared to the year before. Sales up until last month were down 43.3 percent to 1,368 vehicles.
Besides the Veloster, Hyundai said it will unveil refreshed versions of its i30 compact hatchback and i40 sedan and station wagon before the end of the year.
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