[THE INVESTOR] Hyundai Motor has posted strong sales in Australia this year thanks to the popularity of its new i30 hatchback and other models, industry data showed on Nov. 13.

Korea’s leading automaker, sold 3,983 new i30 hatchbacks in the Australian market last month, making the car the best-selling model, according to the data.

The figure represents a 46.5 percent jump from 2,718 sales of the old version sold in Australia during the same month a year earlier.

A Hyundai Motor official attributed the new i30 hatchback’s robust sales in Australia to its high brand recognition among motorists there and the company‘s active promotional activities.

Hyundai launched the new i30 hatchback in Australia in March this year. In the January-October period, the model’s combined sales there ranked fifth after the Toyota Hilux, the Ford Ranger, the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda 3.

By Alex Lee and newswires (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)