From news reports

Hyundai Motor ranked first on a German automotive magazine’s annual quality satisfaction report for this year, the company said Sunday.

South Korea’s largest carmaker grabbed the No. 1 spot with 2.14 points in terms of overall quality and customer satisfaction in the list released by Auto Bild.

It is the third time for the company to secure to the top spot, following 2010 and 2011.

The magazine has been releasing the quality report since 2001.

Kia Motors, Hyundai’s sister company, came in fourth a year after having topped the list.

Twenty original equipment manufacturers, including Volkswagen and Toyota, that run businesses in Germany were evaluated, along with large volume luxury segment leaders like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

The assessment included feedback from car owners, maintenance requirements, warranties, recall information and detailed tests of the car and its durability.

Meanwhile, market data showed Sunday that sales of the Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicle nearly tripled last month in Norway from a month earlier. It places the vehicle as the second-best-selling car among environmentally friendly cars sold in the country.

Hyundai Ioniq sold 321 cars last month, which was also the seventh highest record among all vehicles sold in the Northern European country. This is the first time for the Ioniq to join the top 10 club in any country, a Hyundai Motor official said.

The small electric car was first released in Europe in August following its global launch earlier in the year, selling only nine units during the first month. In September 92 cars were sold, with the number rising to 111 in October.

The Hyundai official said the car has been getting favorable reviews in overseas markets and that the company expects to see the sales continue to grow on increased global recognition.