Don't say I didn't warn you...

About this time last year, when the average person was just becoming officially depressed about the depression, I reported on Kia and Hyundai's huge reinvestment of capital into marketing and research & development. I predicted that the Korean manufacturers would be the 'ones to watch' in the very near future.

Today saw the first evidence of this, with the release of official car sales figures - Hyundai sold more cars to retail customers in August than any other brand, overtaking Ford and Vauxhall.

The figures show that Hyundai’s overall sales for the month rose 323% compared to August last year to 3,737.

It gives Hyundai a record overall market share of 5.6%.

The i10 city car has been the company’s biggest success, with 2,431 finding homes in August. This makes it Britain’s third best selling car, relegating the Vauxhall Corsa to fourth place.

Hyundai’s managing director, Tony Whitehorn, said: “These are truly historic figures for Hyundai. There are now thousands of happy new Hyundai drivers, and these owners’ recommendations will become our best advertising. It will ensure that Hyundai’s success continues years to come.”

Although the August figures are amazing, many Hyundai buyers chose to delay registering their new cars until September, allowing them to have a car wearing the new ‘59’ registration numbers. This means that Hyundai’s sales figures this month are set to be even more impressive.

“We are well on the way to making September the best ever month for sales in the company’s history” said Mr Whitehorn. “Our dealers have taken on an average of 20% more staff to cope with demand.”

I told you that consumers would forget their brand snobbery when they felt the pinch...