Hyundai Sonata Wins the Middle East Motor Awards 2010
- Automotive experts from nine Middle East countries select Sonata as the Best Mid-size Car of the Year
- Sonata’s sales registered a phenomenal 103 percent year-on-year increase in the Middle East since the beginning of the year
(Seoul, Korea) Hyundai Motor Company’s mid-size sedan, all-new Sonata, has won the first Middle East Motor Awards 2010 (MEMA) for best car-in-class. The award was presented on October 14th during the opening ceremony of the 10th International Motor Show Sharjah in UAE. The MEMA is administered by twelve automotive experts from nine Middle Eastern countries that together represent the Middle East automobile industry.
The judges evaluated models - launched at least in five Middle Eastern nations within the 12 month period - on ten criteria including superior performance, technology, practicality and value. In particular, the jury focused on whether the car satisfies regional customer requirements.
Each vehicle underwent thorough road and track tests as well as comprehensive competitor comparisons. Sonata bested other cars in its segment such as Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Ford Taurus, thanks to its superior performance, safety and comfort.
This marks the first car of the year awards given out by the Middle Eastern auto industry.
Sonata has been earning steady recognition in the Middle East since the beginning of this year. Sonata won the Car of the Year title from Sports Auto and Gulf Auto based in Saudi Arabia in May and June respectively. In July, Sonata and Tucson received the Car of the Year award from Syria–based publication Auto Sports.
Sonata sales from Jan to Sept 2010 in seventeen Middle Eastern countries are up 103 percent compared to the same period in 2009. Hyundai Motor will maintain the sales momentum by continuing to listen to customers and swiftly dispatching quality experts to the region.
※ The Middle East Motor Awards (MEMA) is an initiative of Expo Centre Sharjah with support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry to acknowledge leading players of the automotive industry and to celebrate emerging technologies. To maintain its credibility, MEMA is not directly affiliated or influenced by any auto show, automaker or other commercial enterprise.
※ Photo Description: Mr. B.T. Shin, head of Hyundai Motor Company’s Middle East Regional Headquarters, with the ‘Middle East Motor Awards 2010’ trophy
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Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai Motor Group which was ranked as the world’s fifth-largest automaker since 2007 and includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing over 75,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor sold approximately 3.1 million vehicles globally in 2009, posting sales of US$41.8 billion (including overseas plants, using the average currency exchange rate of 1,276 won per US dollar). Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000 dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor and its products are available at www.hyundai.com.
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