Sales of Hyundai's Grandeur and Genesis large sedans have increased for two consecutive months despite a sluggish domestic car market and a serious challenge from imported brands.
Hyundai on Monday said it sold 6,609 units of the Grandeur and 2,830 units of the Genesis in May, up 6 percent and 3.7 percent from a year earlier.
Hyundai's total sales declined 8.2 percent last month on-year, as sales of the popular Accent and Sonata models shrank by 48.4 percent and 30.6 percent. Sales of the Tucson SUV grew 95 percent thanks to the release of the latest model, but the Grandeur and Genesis were the only sedans to show gains. The two sedans also saw sales grow 6.7 percent and 13.5 percent in April from a year earlier.
"As the Genesis and Grandeur have become recognized for their quality in the U.S. and other overseas markets, their popularity has grown among consumers here," a Hyundai spokesman said.
The Genesis was one of three finalists for Car of the Year in North America at the end of last year. It sold 6,656 units in the first quarter of this year -- a 251-percent increase on-year -- to rank third behind the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E Class in the U.S. mid- and large-sized car market.
To further enhance its large-sedan lineup, Hyundai plans to launch a new Equus this year for the first time in six years.
