Hyundai Scores 1st in Imported Units
According to figures released by the Korean Automotive Manufacturers Association (KAMA), Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited, a big brand in the Nigerian auto industry, imported more vehicles into Nigeria than other Korean brands competing in the country. Hyundai imported 9, 918 vehicles between January and December 2008.
KAMA’s statistics also shows that Kia, which belongs to the same manufacturing Group with Hyundai in the Asian country, and is its strong competitor in Nigeria, imported 9, 162 within the same period to take the second position, while Chevrolet (Daewoo) took third with 3, 595.
The KAMA statistics, recently made available to the media by the Managing Director of Hyundai Motors Nigeria, Mr Raju Sawlani, also confirmed the Accent as the bestseller in the Hyundai family, accounting for 3, 168 units which is a large chunk of the 6, 704 passenger cars wearing the brand’s badge into Nigeria last year.
In the SUV segment Hyundai Nigeria imported 2, 050 (against Kia’s 1,737 and Daewoo’s 19) along with a total of 1,164 light commercial vehicles (Kia imported 207 units during the period).
According to Sawlani, who expressed satisfaction with Hyundai’s performance, the good news would have been better but for the inability of his company to import as many of the Elantras and Tucsons as needed owing to very high global demand.
He disclosed that Hyundai Motors Nigeria had continued to make investments towards ensuring that the rising population of the vehicles in Nigeria is matched with efficient after-sales support in all parts of the country. Hence, new branches (with workshops) are opening in many locations in Lagos as well as Maiduguri and other parts of the country.
He identified the quality of the vehicles, relentless marketing drive, intense advertising and good brand image, as some of the factors that have been interplaying in favour of Hyundai – culminating in its dominance of the Korean vehicles market in Nigeria and giving a good account of itself among other competitors.
Mr. Kyran Parab believes that the brand has what it takes to earn a place behind the clear leader, Toyota , by the end of 2009.
“This year, we want to be Number Two; behind Toyota ,“ Parab remarked as he announced that Hyundai is the official partner of FIFA (football’s world governing body) and its confederations in their major competitions, including the U-17 championship likely to be hosted by Nigeria this year. Due to successes recorded recently, Nigeria now ranks fourth in Hyundai sales in Africa, after Egypt , South Africa and Algeria .
Parab also disclosed at the press briefing that Hyundai prices “have been slightly adjusted,’’ to reflect the prevailing exchange rate. However, the prices remain “very competitive’’, according to him, in order to keep the vehicles affordable to buyers.
