Hyundai hits two million milestone
- Hyundai has sold its two millionth new vehicle in Australia
- The two millionth vehicle was all-new KONA delivered by Morley Hyundai in WA, the state where Hyundai’s Australian story began back in 1986
- Hyundai took 26 years to sell one million vehicles in Australia and just 11 more to hit two million
- The milestone comes as Hyundai Motor Company Australia celebrates its 20th anniversary as a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company
In 2012 - after 26 years in Australia - Hyundai hit one million local sales. Illustrating the brand’s rapid growth, it took just 11 more years to hit the two million milestone. The car was sold by Morley Hyundai salesman Charbel Abou Ezzi.
Hyundai’s Australian operations started with a single dealership in Perth in 1986, selling one model, the Excel, which went on to become Australia’s best-selling car.
West Australian dealers played a critical role in Hyundai’s Australian history, having delivered the first and millionth vehicles - both from John Hughes Hyundai - and now the two millionth Hyundai vehicle from Morley.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of each and every buyer that has contributed to this milestone,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Ted Lee.
“Hyundai is firmly etched into the Australian automotive landscape and we are hugely appreciative of the trust and loyalty so many people have placed in our brand, not least the heroes in the police, ambulance and emergency services who rely on our vehicles. As a thanks to all our loyal customers, we will continue to strive to deliver exceptional products and services, as we advance towards our vision for zero emissions by 2045,” he said.
“It’s fitting that our two millionth buyer is in the state where it began for our brand 37 years ago and a special thank you is on the way to our new customer so they can share in our celebrations.”
Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) was established in 2003 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, and in 2004 sales reached 500,000 units.
The business celebrates its two millionth vehicle sold on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Hyundai Motor Company Australia.
In 2022 Hyundai was Australia's fifth most-popular car brand, and is recognised as an established leader in automotive innovation and technology.
Australian Hyundai sales totalled 73,345 units in 2022 for a 6.8 percent share of the market, delivered through a nationwide network of 163 dealers, and in 2023 the tally is 70,296 to the end of November.
The i30 remains Hyundai’s bestseller - and the small-car class leader - with 21,166 units delivered last year.
Additional key Hyundai models include the 2023 Good Design Award-winning all-new KONA, Tucson and its SUV siblings Venue, Santa Fe and Palisade, and World Car of the Winners the all-electric IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, which lead the charge towards a better, smarter, more sustainable future.
As part of its commitment to the Australian community, since 2014 Hyundai has donated a portion of the proceeds from every car sold to children’s charities through Hyundai Help for Kids, contributing more than $12m since the initiative was established nearly ten years ago.
Hyundai has also engaged in sports partnerships with Carlton FC and Brisbane Lions in the AFL, Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, Sydney Roosters in the NRL, as well as Surfing Australia’s She’s Electric leaderboard, among a range of women in Australian sports initiatives.
Hyundai Motor Company Australia - Chief Executive Officers
2003 - 2005: BG Lee
2006 - 2008: Steve Yeo
2009 - 2012: Edward Lee
2013 - 2016: Charlie Kim
2017 - 2019: JW Lee
2020 - 2021: Jun Heo
2022 - Present: Ted Lee
Hyundai Motor Company Australia - Milestones
1986: Hyundai introduced to Australia by the Bond Group, WA
2003: Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) established as fully-owned Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) Subsidiary
2004: Hyundai sells 500,000th new car in Australia
2004: First compact SUV launched (Tucson/ix35)
2005: Hyundai A-League launched
2005: 5-year unlimited km warranty launched
2007: Hyundai begins partnership with Carlton Football Club
2007: i30 launched in Australia
2007: i30 awarded the coveted 2007 CarsGuide (NewsCorp) Car of the Year
2008: HMCA establishes new Head Office in Macquarie Park, Sydney
2008: i30 first Korean vehicle to achieve ANCAP 5 Star safety rating
2008: HMCA adapts suspension and steering settings for i30
2009: Hyundai announces partnership with Brisbane Lions
2010: Canstar Blue recognises Hyundai for ‘Most Satisfied Customers’
2010: HMCA extends local tuning to include dynamic calibration
2011: HMCA achieves record annual sales of 87,008 vehicles
2012: Hyundai sells 1,000,000th new car in Australia
2014: HMCA achieves record annual sales of 100,011 vehicles
2015: HMCA imports the country’s first hydrogen-powered car - the ix35 Fuel Cell
2015: HMCA opens Australia’s only hydrogen vehicle refuelling station at its Macquarie Park Head Office
2017: HMCA wins JD Power Australia top brand for customer sales satisfaction
2017: Hyundai launches Kona in Australia, the brand’s first small SUV
2017: i30 SR is awarded the coveted 2017 Drive Car of the Year
2017: Hyundai i20 N WRC wins Rally Australia
2018: Hyundai launches i30 N (first N car) in Australia
2018: Hyundai launches IONIQ Electric, IONIQ Hybrid and IONIQ Plug-In: first vehicle in Australia sharing EV, HEV and PHEV powertrains
2018: i30 N is awarded the coveted 2018 NewsCorp Car of the Year
2019: Hyundai launches N Australia customer engagement programme
2019: Hyundai launches Kona Electric in Australia
2019: Kona Electric wins Good Design Awards - Automotive & Transport product category
2019: Kona Electric is the first EV to be crash tested in Australia
2019: Inaugural Hyundai N Festival
2019: i30 N TCR wins inaugural TCR Australia Driver’s Championship
2020: Hyundai launches Palisade (large SUV) in Australia
2021: NEXO Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle launches, becoming the first hydrogen powered vehicle to be certified for sale in Australia
2021: Australian Hyundai NEXO breaks the world record for the longest distance travelled by a hydrogen-powered vehicle on a single tank
2021: IONIQ 5 (& IONIQ brand) launches in Australia
2021: IONIQ 5 awarded the coveted 2021 carsales Car of the Year
2021: IONIQ 5 awarded the coveted 2021 NewsCorp Car of the Year
2021: Hyundai Help for Kids reaches $10 million fundraising milestone
2022: HMCA introduces Hyundai Bluelink connected car services
2023: IONIQ 6 launches in Australia
2023: MIGHTY Electric Truck launches in Australia
2023: Hyundai Promise (Certified Pre-Owned Program) launches in Australia
2023: i30 Sedan N TCR wins TCR Australia Driver’s Championship
2023: Hyundai sells 2,000,000th new car in Australia
For more information on Hyundai Motor Company visit www.hyundai.com/au/en/why-hyundai