Hyundai has been one of the few brights spots in the U.S. automobile market, posting solid sales increases thoughout the current recession. Hyundai is also a strong player in China claiming nearly 10% market share and double digit sales gains year-to-year.

Japan is another story. That country’s stagnant car market has been a tough nut for Hyundai to crack and the company has decided to throw in the towel. Automotive News reports that Hyundai has sold a mere 15,000 cars in the eight years that it has had a presence in Japan, about as many as it sells in the U.S. in two weeks.

Japanese car buyers tend to be more jingoistic than buyers in other countries and have a particular prejudice when it comes to Korean cars. Given its success almost everywhere else in the world, Hyundai can easily walk away from Japan.

--M.D.