LEX Service and Hyundai Motor Company have signed a new four-year rolling contract with the aim of further strengthening the brand and increasing sales beyond last year's record 28,608. The new contract was signed by Sir Trevor Chinn, chairman of Lex Services, which acquired the Hyundai Car (UK) franchise in 1993, and Lee Chai-Sam, director of Hyundai Motor Europe.

The two companies say the new contract is a clear indication of the South Korean company's confidence and satisfaction in the results being achieved in the UK which has seen market share increase from 0.4% in 1990 to 1.3% last year. Sir Trevor said the new contract gave Lex Service a stronger basis on which to grow the business and develop the brand.

Lee said: 'Lex has made the UK one of the our leading European markets and we are very happy to develop our business relationship in this way. The next two years will see a number of exciting Hyundai products launched.' Those new vehicles include the luxury XG, an MPV and a production version of the Santa Fe 4x4 launched at this year's Detroit Motor Show.