Report

Hyundai, Kia boost U.S. sales goals, additional plant speculated anew

Hyundai Motors' forward momentum has certainly captured a lot of headlines, and in lieu of all the positive praise and sales improvements, the Korean automaker is raising its 2011 United States sales goal by 18.2 percent. This means that, between both of the Hyundai and Kia brands combined, the Korean automotive group hopes to sell 1.06 million vehicles in the U.S. this year.

The company's chairman, Chung Mong-koo (pictured), delivered this statement during a visit to the company's manufacturing facilities in Alabama and Georgia. To make up that 1.06-million-sales goal, Hyundai is targeting sales of 624,000 units, while Kia is anticipating 433,000 sales. Combined, the automakers sold 894,496 vehicles in 2010.

Mong-koo's visit to the U.S. also created speculation that the automaker may be looking to add another manufacturing facility here in the States. Currently, Hyundai/Kia has a plant in Alabama that manufacturers the Sonata and Elantra sedans, as well as a facility in Georgia that produces the Sorento and Santa Fe crossovers. According to Reuters, Hyundai has denied plans for an additional U.S. factory.

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