Hyundai-Kia sets milestone of 1 million sales in U.S.

Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors set a new watermark last month as their combined sales exceeded 1 million units for the first time since they entered the U.S. market nearly three decades ago.

According to the U.S. auto industry, Hyundai Motor’s total sales for the first 11 months in the country amount to 594,926 units. This includes the 49,610 units sold in November.

Kia Motors, when including the 370,007 units it sold last month, saw total sales this year rise to 442,102.

Hyundai Motor first entered the U.S. market in 1986 with sales of its Pony.

The good news from overseas comes as Korean automakers see sales stagnate at home.

Market experts cite free trade agreements and favorable foreign-exchange rates for the recent increase in overseas sales.