Sales of Sonata cars made by Beijing Hyundai Auto Co. have passed 30,000 since the first of the Hyundai models rolled off the assembly line on December 18, Reuters reported, citing the local Beijing Evening Daily.

Beijing Hyundai is a 50-50 venture between Hyundai Motor Co and Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings, the report added.

Reuters said the company planned to sell 50,000 Sonatas this year and noted that Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings signed a $US1.1 billion deal with Daimler Chrysler on Monday to build Mercedes luxury cars and trucks in China.