HYUNDAI Automotive today announced record sales for November, up 40 per cent on the previous best November which was set last year.

Total sales of 5,089 cars was up 40.5 per cent on the 3,622 sold in the same month last year, bringing total sales for the year to 55,274. This is 6,413 ahead of the full-year total for 1996 with still one month to go.

So far this year, Hyundai sales have averaged 5,025 cars a month with sales exceeding the 5000-mark in eight of the 11 months.

Each of Hyundai's models - Excel, Coupe, Lantra and Sonata - has broken sales records this year.

Coupe, which is the country's best-selling sports car, has shown the biggest percentage increase (83.3 per cent) with sales having risen to a record 2,095 compared with 1,143 at the same stage last year.

Lantra's increase is almost as impressive (64.8 per cent) with sales at a record 11,006 compared with 6,677 to the end of November 1996. Lantra Sportswagon is the country's best-selling four-cylinder wagon.

Sonata's growth is also strong (47.2 per cent) with sales having grown from 4,834 to 7,117 over the same period. Apart from one locally built car, Sonata is the most popular car in the medium segment.

Excel has strengthened its position as the nation's top-selling four- cylinder car. Sales are up more than 1,600 to a record 35,056, making it Australia's most popular car after the two large locally built sixes.