Hyundai has sold five million vehicles in Europe since the first Hyundai Pony was imported in 1977.

The five millionth vehicle was an i30 which, was launched in 2007 and more than 320,000 have been sold across the European dealer network.

Hyundai's sales momentum in Europe has increased steadily since 1977, culminating more recently in a significant rise in demand for the brand's cars.

For 27 consecutive months up to March 2011, Hyundai has outperformed the market sales trend in Europe.

It took until 1996 before Hyundai recorded its first million sales in Europe, and the two millionth car was sold in 2001.

With a growing awareness among European consumers and an expanding network of retailers covering a greater geographical area, Hyundai was able to hit the three million mark by 2005 and then four million in 2008.