Hyundai Elantra Best-Selling Passenger Car in January

MARKHAM, ON, The Hyundai Elantra sedan earned the title of best-selling passenger car as well as best-selling vehicle in the compact segment after posting sales of 2,253 units in January, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. announced. With an increase of 209 percent over the same month in 2009, the Elantra sedan nearly doubled the perennial passenger car leader: the Honda Civic. The Civic sold 1,142 units in January, while the second-best selling vehicle was the Toyota Corolla at 2,146 units.

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The sales results come as the all-new 2011 Elantra sedan completed its first full month of sales in the country. "The compact segment is the biggest and most important in Canada, so winning the battles here is critical for any automotive company to find success," said Steve Kelleher, President and CEO of Hyundai Canada. "We developed the all-new Elantra sedan to deliver style, best-in-class fuel economy, safety and a spacious interior. Because of that, we knew it would be a winner with Canadians and challenge the historical leaders in the passenger car market. But, the Elantra shattered our expectations when it realized that sales crown in the first month of 2011. Not only that, but I'm sure the Elantra is changing the perceptions Canadians may have of the vehicle and of Hyundai." Kelleher added that he expects the Elantra will become the best-selling Hyundai nameplate in the near future. The Elantra sedan represented approximately one-third of the 6,684 vehicles Hyundai Canada sold in January. The 2011 Elantra sedan starts at $15,849 and is equipped with a standard 148-horsepower engine, 6-speed transmission, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and six airbags. It arrived at Hyundai dealers in Canada in late December, 2010. "Perhaps most importantly, the Elantra rose to the top despite the fact that it had negligible marketing support last month," said Kelleher. "Our full marketing push for this vehicle doesn't begin until this Sunday during the Super Bowl." Hyundai Canada is the exclusive automotive sponsor for the first quarter of the Super Bowl on Canadian television networks and will showcase four unique Elantra commercials. In its market research, Hyundai discovered that many consumers must compromise on their desire for a compact sedan that combines style, fuel efficiency with a roomy interior. The creative for the 30-second spots prompt consumers to "snap out of it" and realize they can have a compact car with everything they want. "All too often compact car buyers are on autopilot, shopping the same short list of cars and brands when they look for a new vehicle," said Kelleher. "Our Elantra spots are a fun way to help consumers realize they don't have to compromise when they shop the compact sedan segment." Added Kelleher: "Canadians watch the Super Bowl to be entertained as much by the commercials as the game. This proved to be the perfect venue for us to debut our Elantra commercials and I believe the audience won't be disappointed." To provide fans with a sneak-peak, Hyundai Canada will post all four Elantra commercials to its official Facebook page before the Super Bowl broadcast.

HYUNDAI AUTO CANADA CORP.

Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 195 dealerships nationwide.