Hyundai reports its January 2009 sales early, sales performance up 20 percent comparedt to last year.

Here is a proof that unique advertising campaign can spur new car sales amid worst recession in decades. Early sales report from Hyundai reveals surprising sales figures for the first ten days of January 2009, with sales increasing as much as 20 percent compared to the same month of last year.

January sales in the first ten days were driven by the program that allows new car buyers to return their vehicles back to Hyundai dealers, told Hyundai Motor America’s vice president of sales to Reuters during the on-going 2009 North American International Auto Show, which is taking place in Detroit.

The latest Hyundais program allows buyers who purchase a brand-new Hyundai car to return the car if they lose a job or steady income. The campaign, which has caught attention of world-wide media and rivaling automakers, has only been running for several days and initial response from consumers surprised everyone, admitted David Zuchowski, vice president of sales at HMA.

The Hyundai Assurance Program was introduced at the beginning of January 2009. It was put into motion to help increase Hyundai car sale in the US market, which was hit hard by a world-wide financial crisis. As early sales statistics reveal, the program has helped Hyundai grow its sales, so other automakers including Ford and GM have copied the program and have created their very own “assurance program” versions.