Hyundai Sonata Taxi Sales Soar, Surpassing Grandeur

Hyundai Motor Company’s midsize sedan Sonata has surpassed sales of the large sedan Grandeur, thanks to a rapid increase in taxi sales. According to Kaizuyu Data Research Institute, 5,417 Sonatas were sold last month, more than double the sales volume in the same period last year.

Taxi sales led the way, with 2,875 taxi units sold, compared to 1,865 private car sales. Sonata taxi sales have been higher than private car sales for three consecutive months between June and August this year.

6 Months Waiting Period for Delivery

Hyundai Motor Company discontinued the Sonata taxi model in July last year but re-imported the 8th generation Sonata taxi model produced in China. The new Sonata taxi model has an increased wheelbase of 70 mm compared to its predecessor and has undergone durability tests that are about twice as strong as those of normal vehicles.

The popularity of the Hyundai Sonata taxi model has affected the waiting period for delivery. As of last month, the waiting period for the Sonata taxi model was one year, but it has decreased to 6 months compared to the previous month.

Online Response

There are reactions online expressing happiness at seeing Sonata, the ‘people’s mid-size sedan’, on the road. In one car community, a netizen said, “I’m glad to see a lot of Sonatas on the road these days.” An industry insider said, “Because it was discontinued once and then relaunched, the popularity of the Sonata taxi is expected to continue for a while.”

Sonata is Korea’s representative mid-size sedan, produced for 39 years since 1985. At one time, it attracted attention as a ‘family car’ and ranked first in sales, but lost its place as the representative sedan to the mid-size sedan Grandeur.