South Korea’s top carmaker Hyundai Motor was the No.1 import auto brand in Mexico in 2015, data showed Wednesday. 
Hyundai Motor sold 26,251 automobiles in Mexico last year, becoming the leading foreign brand without localized production facilities for the first time. The South Korean carmaker first tapped the Mexican market in May 2014.

French auto firm Renault and Japan’s Suzuki Motor, which ranked first and second in terms of sales among import brands in 2014, trailed Hyundai. They sold 24,320 units and 12,914 units, respectively, last year.

Hyundai Motor also ranked ninth among all auto brands in Mexico.

Industry watchers said Hyundai Motor is expected to continue the solid performance this year, as the company set a monthly sales record of 2,676 units in December 2015.

Hyundai’s smaller sister Kia Motors, which entered Mexico in July last year, sold 11,021 units in 2015, taking the fifth spot among import brands.

Kia Motors plans to complete the construction of its new plant during the first half of 2016.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)