Hyundai is pretty confident about its brand new, third generation Santa Fe crossover that made its first public outing at this month’s 2012 New York International Auto Show.
Speaking to the press in South Korea, Hyundai CEO Kim Choong-ho told reporters that the company targets to sell around 152,000 examples of the regular and the long-wheelbase seven-seater versions of the Santa Fe globally this year, including 42,000 domestically and 110,000 in overseas markets.
The 2013 Santa Fe is planned to go on sale in Europe this June followed by the United States in July and in China in October.
Hyundai said in a statement that it has already received more than 15,000 pre-orders in its home market, and this despite the fact that foreign brands have significantly increased their share in the country after Seoul signed free trade agreements with Europe and the United States ending years of protectionism.
According to Reuters, sales of imported cars accounted for more than 10 percent of the market for the first time in January this year, compared to less than 1 percent in 2000.
The company added that it aims to deliver around 385,000 Santa Fe vehicles globally in 2013, the first full year of sales.
Choong-ho said that the new Santa Fe is more premium than its predecessor and will be in competition with Audi’s Q5 model.
“We are confident about positioning Santa Fe as premium model both at home and in the overseas markets,” said Choong-ho. “It boasts very competitive fuel mileage of 17 km per litre and a bold design.”
Story References: Reuters
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