Fresh off the announcement that their Hyundai Genesis Coupe is set to defend the title of Car of the Year for the Korean automaker after its larger four door sibling, the Genesis Sedan, took home the prize last year. Well, Hyundai Motors recently celebrated yet another milestone in the company’s history.

Last Tuesday, June 23, the Korean-based car manufacturer celebrated its 1 millionth Hyundai in Africa by hosting a rather elaborate and fanciful shipyard ceremony.

While we weren’t necessarily expecting the guys from Hyundai to party like rockstars, this achievement does entitle them to feel like one. After all, releasing 1 million cars in one region is already a cause for celebration, but doing in a place like Africa – which, to be candidly honest, is not on anybody’s list as one of the top car markets in the world, is downright amazing.

Continued after the jump.

The vehicle that’s being hailed as ‘1 million’ is a Hyundai Avante – also known in the US in its alias, the Elantra – was fitted with all the ornaments and knick-knacks, which included flowers and pink ribbons, befitting a car of its status.

It’s a remarkable achievement for a company that began exporting its cars in Africa back in 1966 when it sent 207 cars in the continent. Since that time, Hyundai has become the second most popular car in Africa, trailing only Japan’s Toyota.

When the Avante finally hits destination on Egypt, it would be the culmination of 43 years of blood, sweat and tears for Hyundai. Ever since the company first sent a Pony to Liberia in ’66, the manufacturer has waited long and hard for its millionth vehicle in the continent.

It’s been a long wait, alright. But if we’re to speak in behalf of Hyundai, we’d say that the wait was well worth it.