SEOUL (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Co 005380.KS turned in its best quarterly operating profit in over two years and said it was on track for higher profit margins in 2020, powered by more sales of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) such as the Palisade and Kona.

FILE PHOTO: Hyundai introduces its Vision T concept car at the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Andrew Cullen

The better-than-expected operating earnings, which fueled a rise in shares, indicates measures by Hyundai Motor Group heir-apparent Euisun Chung to revamp the image of the automaker known for its sedan-heavy lineup were beginning to pay off.

So while overall vehicle sales for the South Korean company held mostly steady on year over October-December, its bottom line benefited as high-margin SUVs accounted for more of the sales mix - 42% versus 37% a year earlier.

Hyundai said it would meet its target for a 5% operating profit margin this year, versus 3.5% in 2019, by selling even more SUVs and launching fully redesigned versions of some of its best-selling models, the Elantra sedan and the Tucson SUV.

“We understand that achieving this year’s operating profit margin of 5% is more important than ever,” Kim Sang-hyun, head of finance and accounting division, said on an earnings call.

“The company views this year as the first to fully establish a virtuous sales cycle by optimizing supplies, profits and strengthening brand competitiveness,” Kim said.

“We will do our best to secure a sustainable revenue base in a difficult business environment.”

Sales for Hyundai and affiliate Kia Motors 000270.KS hit a seven-year low in 2019 as business in China slumped, missing their target for a fifth time, but they have forecast better numbers for this year.

Hyundai expects SUVs to account for about 43% of its sales in 2020, helped by the launch of a new premium Genesis brand SUV in the second half, in addition to the GV80 launched here last week.

“The market has been skeptical of the 5% profit margin target, but the target seems to be achievable thanks to new Genesis models,” said Lee Jae-il, an analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities.

CHINA PLANS

While Hyundai is seeing a recovery in U.S. sales, thanks to demand for new SUVs and a favorable currency exchange rate, its business in China continues to suffer amid a broader slowdown in the world’s biggest auto market.

Its passenger car sales in China fell 4.8% on year in 2019.

Hyundai, however, expects its wholesale vehicle sales in China to reach 730,000 this year from 650,000 vehicles in 2019.

It also said it was looking for the best time to launch its premium Genesis brand in China and Europe.

For October-December, Hyundai’s operating profit was 1.24 trillion won ($1 billion), highest since the second quarter of 2017. It was more than analysts’ average estimate of 1.06 trillion won, according to Refinitiv I/B/E/S data.

Hyundai shares closed up 8.6%, versus a 1.2% rise in the wider KOSPI .KS11.

(This story corrects milestone throughout to show it was best quarterly operating profit since Q2, 2017, not Q1)