Hyundai Celebrates 40 Years and 2.2 Million Vehicle Sales in Australia

In 2026, Hyundai is celebrating a remarkable milestone: 40 years in Australia and more than 2.2 million vehicles sold nationwide.

From modest beginnings with one model and a single dealership in Perth, Hyundai has grown into one of Australia’s most recognised automotive brands. Its story spans affordable first cars, family favourites, performance vehicles and major advances in hybrid, battery-electric and hydrogen technology.

For the team at Tynan Hyundai Kirrawee, this anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the generations of Australian drivers who have made Hyundai part of their everyday lives—including customers throughout Kirrawee and the Sutherland shire. 

Where Hyundai’s Australian Story Began

Hyundai entered the Australian market in August 1986 with the Excel hatchback. Local automotive dealer John Hughes and entrepreneur Alan Bond had secured the Australian distribution rights, with the brand initially operating from a single dealership in Perth.

Only eight Hyundai vehicles were sold during the first month. By the end of 1986, however, sales had reached 1,756 vehicles—an early sign of the growth to come.

The Excel quickly became one of Hyundai’s most recognisable Australian models. More than 250,000 were sold locally, helping the brand establish a reputation for accessible and practical motoring. Its memorable $13,990 drive-away campaign also helped make nationally advertised drive-away pricing a familiar part of Australian car shopping during the 1990s.

From the Excel to the Hyundai i30

While the Excel introduced many Australians to Hyundai, the i30 went on to become the brand’s best-selling model in this country.

Since arriving in Australia in 2007, more than 450,000 i30s have been sold. The model reached an extraordinary high point between 2015 and 2017, ranking as Australia’s top-selling vehicle outright on seven occasions. In June 2016 alone, 6,432 i30s were sold, placing it at the top of the national market for a fourth consecutive month.

The i30’s popularity reflects an important part of Hyundai’s Australian success: delivering vehicles suited to everyday local life. For many drivers, a Hyundai has been a first new car, a dependable family vehicle, a daily commuter or the car that carried them on road trips across the country.

If the i30 has been part of your own Hyundai story—or you’re considering one for the first time—you can check the latest new and demonstrator Hyundai stock available at Tynan Hyundai Kirrawee. 

Built with Australian Roads in Mind

Hyundai Australia has contributed to local suspension and steering development over the years, helping tailor selected vehicles to the demands of Australian roads and driving conditions.

That local focus supported Hyundai’s evolution from a value-driven newcomer into a brand known for design, technology, comfort, safety and driving performance.

Hyundai’s approach to ownership also played an important role. The company introduced a five-year warranty in Australia in 1999 and added unlimited-kilometre coverage in 2007.

Today, eligible Hyundai passenger vehicles first registered from 1 June 2025 can receive up to a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty when all scheduled services are completed within the required intervals at an authorised Hyundai dealer.*

*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

A New Era of Electrification and Performance

Hyundai’s Australian story is not only about looking back. Over the past decade, the brand has expanded its focus across electrification, hydrogen technology and high-performance vehicles.

The original IONIQ arrived in 2018 as the first Australian nameplate offered with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains. The KONA Electric followed in 2019, bringing electric power to Hyundai’s compact SUV range.

In 2021, the hydrogen-powered NEXO became the first fuel-cell electric vehicle certified for sale in Australia. Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 later earned the 2022 World Car of the Year title, while the IONIQ 5 N was named 2024 World Performance Car and became Hyundai’s first Wheels Car of the Year winner.

Alongside its electrified range, Hyundai N has introduced a new generation of drivers to performance-focused engineering. Together, these developments show how far the brand has travelled since the first Excel arrived in 1986.

Today’s Hyundai range offers something for many different lifestyles, from practical hatches and family SUVs to hybrid, electric and high-performance models. Browse Tynan Hyundai Kirrawee’s current vehicle stock to see which Hyundai models are available now.

2.2 Million Vehicles—and Millions of Australian Stories

Reaching 2.2 million Australian sales is about more than a number. Every vehicle represents an owner, a family, a commute, a milestone or an adventure.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia CEO Don Romano has credited customers, dealer partners and employees with shaping the brand’s four-decade journey. That recognition is fitting: Hyundai’s growth has been built on the willingness of Australian drivers to embrace the brand and its continual push to challenge expectations.

Forty years after selling eight vehicles in its first month, Hyundai has become a household name with a diverse range spanning city cars, SUVs, hybrids, electric vehicles, performance models and commercial vehicles.

Celebrate Hyundai’s 40-Year Journey at Tynan Hyundai Kirrawee

Whether you remember the original Excel, have owned an i30 or are ready to explore Hyundai’s latest hybrid, electric, SUV or performance range, Tynan Hyundai Kirrawee is here to help.

Ready to find your next Hyundai? Visit Tynan Hyundai Kirrawee to explore the latest models, compare your options and book a test drive.