January Auto Sales: Hyundai

Hyundai Motor America was among a few automakers to report growth in January vehicle sales Tuesday, helped by big sales increases for its Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles and attention from its much-touted vehicle return program.
The South Korean automaker said its U.S. sales rose 14.3 percent to 24,512 units from 21,452 units last year. Sales of its top-selling Sonata sedan surged more than 85 percent to 8,508 units, while its Santa Fe sport utility vehicle saw volumes jump by more than a third.
Last month, Hyundai announced that it would cover the depreciation on any returned leased or financed car in a bid to woo consumers nervous about making big-ticket purchases. The automaker said its Hyundai Assurance Program "struck a chord with American consumers during these uncertain times," said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America vice president of national sales, in a statement.
Also in January, the Hyundai Genesis won North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Hyundai said it sold 1,056 Genesis cars in January.