South Korea's top automaker Hyundai Motor Co. said Monday it has sold more than 1,000 units of its new Sonata hybrid midsize sedan during the first eight days of sale, reflecting a promising outlook for the carmaker's new eco-friendly model despite plunging oil prices. 
   
A total of 1,174 orders have been made for the Sonata hybrid in the eight business days since its introduction to the home market, according to the data compiled by Hyundai Motor. The number is more than 70 percent higher than the comparable figure for the first-generation model of the hybrid released in 2011.
   
"The company's monthly sales target had been 1,500 units at the time of the launch," a Hyundai Motor official said. "We are getting a very positive initial response from customers, even while considering the fact that it is a whole new model."
   
Hyundai earlier said it plans to sell 18,000 units of its new hybrid in the local market next year as well as expand the green car market at home by building all-wheel drive green cars along with next generation plug-in hybrids. 
   
The new Sonata hybrid is expected to reach U.S. markets next year, where both Hyundai Motor and its sister affiliate Kia Motors Corp. have seen sales of their hybrid models edge up despite falling oil prices that have pushed down the popularity of fuel-saving cars. 
   
Through November, sales of hybrid cars in the United States stood at 418,850 units, down 8.9 percent from a year earlier, according to Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association. 
   
In contrast, combined sales of the hybrid models by Hyundai and Kia inched up 0.2 percent over the cited period, with their share in the green car market in the United States having gone up to 7.8 percent from the previous 7.1 percent. (Yonhap)