Although Rushforth expects 2013 to be a “plateau year” in which the company simply maintains market share, Hyundai expects to start growing from 2014 again.

The brand’s share of the European market rose from 1.8% to 3.5% between 2008 and 2012. The aim over the next four years is to push that up to 5% and become a top-five brand in Europe.

While conquest sales will continue to play a part in growth, this won’t be on the same scale experienced since 2009, when the scrappage schemes introduced in many countries following the banking crisis drove thousands of new buyers into Hyundai’s clutches.

Instead, an increase in brand loyalty is seen as a key way of achieving growth.

‘We are currently above the industry average for customer retention, but if we could increase that by only 5% it would mean 34,000 additional sales a year,’ said European marketing vice-president Mark Hall.

An improvement in “unaided brand awareness” – the number of people who recognise Hyundai as a car manufacturer without being prompted – is another major target. Three years ago it was at just 12% and is still only 20%, according to Mr Hall. ‘The market average is almost double that figure. The greater the brand awareness, the more customers are prepared to pay.’

Hyundai also plans to exploit its re-entry into the World Rally Championship next year by developing cars with more European driving qualities at its new research and development centre at the Nurburgring in Germany.

‘There is a lot to come from our WRC re-entry,’ said Mr Rushforth. ‘This is the first manufacturer-owned operation by us in the WRC.

‘Since we introduced the i30 in 2008 as the first car to be produced at our Czech factory we have launched 15 new models or derivatives. We are now starting what I call our second phase, which will run over the next five years, with new products sourced and made in Europe.’