Hyundai Motor shares fall following 2018 sales forecast

Shares in Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors slid on Tuesday morning after the South Korean automaker forecast a modest increase in 2018 sales.

The world’s fifth-largest auto group by sales set its 2018 sales target at 7.55 million vehicles after setting a record goal of 8.25 million units last year. But the group is likely to have missed last year’s sales target for the third consecutive year, analysts said.

"Global auto demand growth is expected to stagnate this year, with demand seen shrinking in major markets like the US, China and Europe, " Yoon Yeo-chul, Hyundai's vice chairman, said in a new year speech to employees.

Hyundai shares dropped 2.6 per cent to Won152,000 (€118) and Kia shares fell 1.6 per cent at Won32,950 (€25), underperforming a 0.2 per cent gain in the Kospi benchmark index.

ICG commissions world’s biggest car ferry for €165m

---

SoftBank succeeds in tender offer for Uber shares

---

Coffee, tea or bikini? VietJet stands by racy calendar

---

Aer Lingus owner IAG in takeover talks for Austria’s Niki

---

The carmakers are struggling to boost sales in two of their biggest markets, China and the United States, due to a lack of sports utility vehicle models.

Despite the recent diplomatic thaw between South Korea and China after a year-long spat over Seoul's installation of a US missile shield, Hyundai's sales in China are not improving as fast as hoped as the carmaker is struggling to compete with local mainland carmakers that offer affordable SUVs.

Hyundai will announce 2017 sales figures later in the day.

– Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2018