Hyundai's first half sales are a record high of 1,481,152 units which is a 14.2% year on year increase. Overseas sales were up 20% to 205,545 units.

“While we're concerned by escalating oil and commodity prices, we're on track to reach our sales target of 3 million units for this year thanks to brisk demand in China, India, as well as through our efforts in emerging markets such as Russia and the Middle East,” a Hyundai official said.

Audi recorded its best first half-year in the company's history. In June Audi sold around 90,000 cars (2007: 88,846).

Audi is expecting further growth mainly in the second half of the year, thanks to market launches of important high-volume models.

“In 2008 we will achieve record sales of more than one million cars for the first time in our history,” said Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler. “The first half of the year was marked by major model changes for us, yet we're already 2% above target.”

Sales figures for the high-volume model lines were marked by the introduction of new model generations and model improvements. The next-generation Audi A4 Avant was launched throughout Europe in May; the new A4 Sedan became available in Germany at the end of 2007 and in South Africa two months ago.

Later in the year, Audi will also introduce the new Audi Q5 and an updated A6.

Internationally, Audi already features the youngest model range in the automotive industry. By 2015, Audi wants to expand its range from currently 26 to then 40 models.

In June alone, Audi sold 8,488 cars in the UK, up 1.4% (2007: 8,370).

In the US, Audi recorded increased sales in June - bucking the trend in a significantly declining overall market. With 8,203 cars, Audi sold 5.3% more cars than in the same month last year (2007: 7,789).

[11 Jul 2008 16:27]

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