Hyundai Motor Co. that Wednesday released its worst annual report card in six years vowed to do better this year by selling 5.08 million cars - 683,000 units at home and 4,397,000 overseas - through productive mix of vehicles customized for each market across the globe

In a conference call following its release of disappointing results, Hyundai Motor detailed out special plans to increase sales in its major markets.

In the U.S. where it had pledged $3.1 billion capital investment for the next four years, it will bump up output of its sport utility vehicle (SUV) Santa Fe from 36,000 last year to 65,000 this year from the Alabama factory. It will also increase supplies of smaller SUV Tucson, renovated Sonata and electric vehicles “IONIQ Electric” and “IONIQ Hybrid.”

On Wednesday, the company reported 5.7 trillion won ($4.98 billion) in net income in 2016, stooping 12.1 percent from the previous year. Operating profit fell 18.3 percent to 5.2 trillion won. Sales came to 93.6 trillion won, up 1.8 percent on year.

Shares of Hyundai Motor closed Wednesday down 3.07 percent at 142,000 won from the previous session.

In China where it has been wavering from the advance of local players, will try to win back customers through Yuedong - Chinese brand of its mid-sized sedan “Avante” - and new SUV models.

To rejuvenate sagging demand in emerging markets such as Russia, the automaker will introduce new trims for popular Creta and Solaris shipments headed for the markets. It will release Creta and HV20 for Brazil and new Grandeur and i30 for Asia and the Middle East to accelerate its growth momentum in the regions. It will also work on enhancing brand awareness of its stand-alone premium brand “Genesis.”

Hyundai Motor proposed to pay out 3,000 won in cash dividend per a common share after 2016 settlements. Combined with the interim payout of 1,000 won it delivered in last July, the automaker would be giving out 4,000 won per share for 2016, unchanged from 2015 when it paid its biggest-ever dividend. For preferred stock, the automaker decided to give out 3,100 won apiece.

Choi Byeong-cheol, chief financial officer (CFO) of the automaker, said the company will return 30 percent to 50 percent of the surplus cash flow to shareholders.

By Lee Seung-hoon and Park Chang-young

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