Nigeria - Hyundai Automobile Emerges Highest Korean Import
By Dio Peters
As published in Business News World Nigeria

Korean Automobile Manufacturers Association (Kama) has announced that out of a combined 22, 677 vehicles exported to Nigeria from Korea in 2008, Hyundai automobiles constituted its largest shipments with 9,918 units as against Kia's 9,162 and Chevrolet/Daewoo's 3,595.

In the Kama month by month export analysis titled, '2008 Export Performance of Korean Make', released by Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited, Hyundai and Kia automobiles followed closely on the performance chart with Kia shipments toping the table in January, February, August, October and November 2008.

A further breakdown of the entire brands however placed shipment in the passenger car segment with 17, 498 vehicles above crossover and utility vehicles with 3,808 and 1,371 low cost commercial vehicles respectively.

Raju Sawlani, managing director, Stallion Motors Limited, owners of the Hyundai dealership said the success of the Hyundai brand over keen rivals yet of the same genre was because of the quality and dynamism of the brand which he said has undergone series of transformations to meet the yearnings of its admirers.

He added that the increase in export of Hyundai vehicles to Nigeria again affirms the superiority of Hyundai brand over rival marques.

Kiran Parab, marketing director Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited who was also at the briefing to announce the triumph of Hyundai over competing brands said the success of Hyundai justifies the global acceptance of the brand.

He said Hyundai has continually improved on all its models with every review exhibiting the character of a masterpiece, Parab said.

"We are determined more than ever to raise the bar for the brand which we believe would soon become the No. 2 brand in Nigeria," Hyundai marketing director stated.

He said Hyundai Motors has also been making strong moves to ascend new heights and essentially snap on the heels of Japanese automakers especially Toyota and Honda, Parab said. An evolving automaker, Hyundai epitomizes its slogan 'Drive your way' and has vehicles for every need with full range that includes economical small cars, high performance and luxury cars.

Also included in the Hyundai lineup are state - of - the - art recreational vehicles, sport utility vehicles, vans and super stylish coupe.

Parab lists the unifying factors of the Hyundai brand as quality, service and dedicated devotion of the engineers who created it.

"No matter where you are, you are never far from Hyundai and all of the lasting security, quality and pleasure of Hyundai ownership", Parab affirmed.