Hyundai’s ‘Grand i10’ hatchback ranks No. 1 in annual sales in Vietnam

"The Grand i10," a compact hatchback model from Hyundai Motor, ranked No. 1 in sales last year by beating over Toyota for the first time in Vietnam. No. 2 vehicle in annual sales in the Southeast Asian country was "K3000," a small truck from Kia Motors.

According to sources in the automobile industry on Sunday, Hyundai sold 15,873 units of the Grand i10 in Vietnam last year. Hyundai achieved the feat two years after introducing the model in the market in late 2013. Kia sold 14,201 units of the K3000 last year, which ranked second in overall sales. The two models were followed by the Vios, the Innova and the Fortuner from Toyota.

In 2014, the Vios and the Fortuner ranked first and second, respectively, but the Hyundai and Kia models outpaced the rivals from Japan to become top sellers last years. As latecomers, Hyundai and Kia beat over Toyota for the first time in Vietnam, a market where Toyota had been traditionally strong.

By brand, Toyota ranked first (50,285) in overall vehicle sales last year, followed by Kia (38,484) and Hyundai (23,705).

강유현기자 yhkang@donga.com