Hyundai releases third quarter results, with a better forecast for Q4.

• Hyundai Motor sold 3.62 million units worldwide through 2014 third quarter
• Sales revenue and net profit stand at 65.68 trillion won and 5.99 trillion won, respectively  

Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker, today announced its 2014 third-quarter business results, which show that the company posted an increase in sales due to its strong presence in global markets and the launch of its game-changing models this year, including the all-new Genesis and Sonata. 

For the first nine months of 2014, sales revenue increased 0.5 percent to 65.68 trillion won (auto: 53.33 trillion / finance and others: 12.35 trillion) from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor sold an accumulated 3,624,837 units globally (Korea: 501,184 / overseas: 3,123,653) as of the end of September this year, a 3.6 percent increase from a year earlier. In Korea, Hyundai Motor’s sales went up 4.7 percent, mainly due to strong sales of new models and SUV models, while its overseas sales rose 3.4 percent from the same period a year ago.

However, operating profit and net profit fell 9.7 percent and 12.7 percent to 5.67 trillion won and 5.99 trillion won (including non-controlling interest), respectively, due to the strong won against the U.S. dollar.

In the third quarter alone, sales revenue increased 2.2 percent to 21.28 trillion won (auto: 17.14 trillion / finance and others: 4.14 trillion) with global sales of 1,128,999 units. However, both operating profit and net profit declined 18.0 percent and 28.3 percent to 1.65 trillion won and 1.62 trillion won, respectively, from a year earlier because of fewer working days at its domestic plants and the Korean won’s strongest rate against the U.S. dollar since the second quarter of 2008.

While the global auto industry continues to face uncertainties, Hyundai Motor will keep focusing on reinforcing fundamentals for future growth by further strengthening its quality management as well as enhancing its brand power.

Hyundai Motor’s efforts on quality management have been proven by a variety of third-party agencies. For instance, the company’s all-new Genesis and Sonata were rated as one of the safest cars on the road by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) crash tests in the U.S.

In terms of brand management efforts, Hyundai Motor’s brand value surged 15.6 percent from a year earlier to $10.4 billion, achieving its highest-ever ranking of No. 40 in brand consultancy Interbrand’s 2014 Best 100 Global Brands.

In addition, Hyundai Motor will stay focused on introducing new models at the right times. While the all-new Genesis and Sonata are still in the process of launching in key markets, the company is also pushing forward on the launch of its regionally-strategic models such as Aslan, ix25 and i20.

Overall, Hyundai Motor forecasts that its fourth-quarter performance will improve compared to the recent quarter based on several positive factors such as the weakening of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar, new model launches and stabilized operation at its Korean plants.

Hyundai to have massive expansion of range within three years.

A product blitz is on the horizon for Hyundai, as the strategy earned the company major sales when it was implemented earlier this decade. Within the next three years, the automaker plans to roll out 12 all-new or significantly refreshed models.

The brand will focus the majority of its attention on the crossover segments, as Hyundai doesn’t currently have many offerings. The automaker may add more models to the Tucson and Santa Fe lineups, which currently offer 5- to 7-passenger seating and long-wheelbase models.

"We've got fairly aggressive growth plans for the next five years, and just like it was in 2010 through 2012, that growth will be driven by a really aggressive product cadence. Those new products are going to drive good growth, and half of that growth is going to come from an increased presence in the CUV segments," said Dave Zuchowski, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, in an interview with Automotive News at the 2014 New York Auto Show. Zuchowski went on to say that Tucson sales will increase as the next-gen model hits dealers next year, with an estimate of 90,000 units sold.

We expect Hyundai to add new nameplates to the roster, as you can only expand certain model lineups so far.

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Hyundai debuts new small ix25 in Beijing.

• Hyundai Motor’s small-sized, China-exclusive SUV concept makes its world debut at the motor show
• All-new Genesis showcases its inspiring HTRAC AWD system and Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design in China for the first time

Hyundai Motor Company unveiled a concept model of ‘ix25’ at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, held at the China International Exhibition Center. The sophisticated small-sized SUV, another strategic pillar for Hyundai Motor in the world’s largest auto market, is scheduled to be launched exclusively in China later this year.

The ix25 concept hints at a premium look, based on Hyundai Motor’s evolved Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design philosophy. Harmony between a bold front, voluminous side, sporty rear and other details complete the premium small-sized SUV’s design. Equipped with a Nu 2.0 engine, the ix25 concept features an overall length of 4,270mm, overall width of 1,780mm and overall height of 1,630mm, while its wheelbase reaches 2,590mm.

“Hyundai Motor has grown into a leading automaker in China through continuous innovation for the past 11 years,”said Hyundai Motor’s President Sung Kee Choi. “Hyundai Motor is now poised for a new challenge to become the most-loved brand by Chinese customers, with high-quality models such as the ix25 SUV, which is strategically-developed for China, and the all-new Genesis introduced today.”

The ix25 will mainly target the young generation who seek style and practicality at the same time, and Hyundai Motor is planning various marketing activities to attract them. With its launch in the second half of this year, Hyundai Motor expects to complete its competitive SUV line-up in China, from ix25, ix35, Santa Fe to Grand Santa Fe, aiming to secure the leading position in the country’s rapidly-growing SUV market. The “i” in ix25 represents the ‘inspiring, intelligent and innovative’ characteristics of the young generation.

The all-new Genesis also made its Chinese debut at the show. Equipped with 3.0 GDI and 3.3 GDI engines, the company’s rear-wheel premium sedan features its most advanced technologies such as HTRAC AWD system, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Head-Up Display and smart trunk. When it hits Chinese showrooms in the second half of this year, the all-new Genesis is expected to play a key role in enhancing Hyundai Motor’s brand image in the Chinese premium segments, together with Equus.

Aside from the two new models, Hyundai Motor exhibited a total of 18 vehicles including its i20 WRC car, Mistra, Langdong, ix35, Santa Fe, Equus Limousine and Sonata Hybrid, as well as its new technologies such as the next-generation infotainment system.

At a separate booth, Hyundai Motor also displayed its commercial vehicles including Chuanghu, the second production model of Sichuan Hyundai, a 50-50 joint venture between Hyundai Motor and Nanjun Auto. Developed based on the Trago Xcient, the premium large truck was localized to meet the Chinese market’s special needs. Benefitting from the launch of Chuanghu, Hyundai motor also aims to significantly boost its presence in the world’s biggest commercial vehicle market.