It’s no secret Korean automakers are on the move — with Hyundai already making cars in Alabama and Kia shopping for
a plant nearby, Korean cars are becoming more and more common-place on U.S. roads. Numbers don’t lie: In August, South
Korea’s top five automakers sales are up 17% from the previous year, selling a total of 386,664 cars with 296,808 of
those being exports. Hyundai, Korea’s number one automaker, sold 183,037 cars in August, up 4.5%; while its little
brother Kia, saw sales rise 27% thanks to strong demand for its Optima and Sportage models.
We announced earlier today that Hyundai will be unveiling a hot hatch version of its 3-door Accent at the Frankfurt
Motor Show next week(see below) while Kia will debut a new
Magentis, the car that will become the next Optima in
North America.