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Hyundai, Kia Motors see slow sales recovery in 2018

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors said they expect four per cent sales growth in 2018, suggesting a slow recovery from a slump linked to their lack of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in the United States of America and diplomatic tensions with China. Hyundai and affiliate Kia said demand was expected to soften in the U.S.…

Hyundai 2018 Sonata

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors said they expect four per cent sales growth in 2018, suggesting a slow recovery from a slump linked to their lack of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in the United States of America and diplomatic tensions with China.

Hyundai and affiliate Kia said demand was expected to soften in the U.S. and Chinese markets as they unveiled a combined sales target of 7.55 million vehicles this year, from 7.25 million vehicles last year.

“The market environment is expected to be difficult due to a slowdown in major markets like the U.S. and China, prolonged low growth in the global economy and trade protectionism in major countries,” Hyundai said in a statement.

Sales slumped seven per cent last year from 2016, falling well short of the group’s target of 8.25 million vehicles and marking its third consecutive annual miss, as buyers in China and the U.S. increasingly shunned sedans for SUVs.

A diplomatic row between China and South Korea over Seoul’s deployment of a U.S. missile defense system also hit the brand’s sales in the world’s biggest auto market, although two countries recently agreed to normalize ties.

An analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, Kim Jin-woo said: “This year’s target for Hyundai and Kia is lower than expected. It seems to be a conservative target, reflecting a slow recovery in China and ongoing U.S difficulties.”

The forecast came as the Korean won strengthened to a more than three-year high against the dollar on Tuesday, threatening the competitiveness of South Korean exporters as their Japanese rivals benefit from the weakening yen.

The expiration of a tax cut on small-engine cars in China also would be a negative for Hyundai’s sedan-heavy lineup, the automaker said.

While Hyundai has plans to offer more SUVs in the U.S. and China this year, analysts said new models such as the redesigned Santa Fe SUV may come too late in the year to significantly impact sales.

Hyundai Motor Group chairman, Chung Mong-koo, said in a statement the company would “actively venture into” new markets like Southeast Asia, as protectionism was expected to grow elsewhere.

South Korea and the U.S. will hold talks on a trade deal today although U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from the pact.

Chung, 79, skipped his annual New Year speech to employees for a second year in a row. He has not made any public appearances since December 2016.

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