Hyundai Cars News

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe breaks cover

2012-01-28T00:13:00.000-08:00

Next-generation Hyundai Santa Fe shows off its face!

The wait is over. We can finally see the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe 2013 (Model Year) in flesh.

The recent up-close spy shots of the next-generation Santa Fe crossover vehicle reveal full details about the car's design lay-out.

As expected, the 2013 Santa Fe sports a modern and sophisticated exterior design with plenty of elements borrowed from other Hyundai vehicles including the all-new Hyundai i30 hatch and Elantra sedan.

Up-front, the new Santa Fe CUV sports a hexagonal signature grille with three chromed bars, large air-intakes, LED headlamps and LED surrounded fog-lamps. The vehicle features a strong side character line, which ends in the LED tail-lamps at rear end.

The rear of the Hyundai Santa Fe 2103 looks very Audish in general, but that's not bad at all.

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe release date is set for April this year. That's when the vehicle will appear at the New York Auto Show where it will make its official public premiere.

Hyundai Santa Fe image gallery:

6 Hyundai vehicles win Top Safety Pick Awards

2011-12-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

Six Hyundai vehicles, including 2012 Elantra compact sedan, Sonata mid-size sedan, Genesis RWD luxury sedan, Equus luxury sedan, Tucson and Santa Fe crossover vehicles have all cchieved highest possible safety ratings

“Safety has always been a top priority at Hyundai, so we are thrilled to see six of our models on this important and prestigious list,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America.

“Having led the industry in standardizing Electronic Stability Control for the midsize sedan segment back in 2005, Hyundai is committed to developing and providing the best in both passive and active safety technologies.”

The IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings help consumers pick vehicles that offer a higher level of protection than federal safety standards require. In 2010, the Institute toughened the criteria for Top Safety Pick by adding a requirement that all qualifiers must earn a “good” rating for performance in a roof strength test to assess protection in a rollover crash...

Watch the Hyundai Veloster crash test video here:

http://hyundaicarnews.blogspot.com/2011/11/hyundai-crash-tests.html

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Commercial

2011-12-18T00:32:00.000-08:00

Hyundai proves that not all hybrid cars have to look boring to help the environment keep clean. Its latest 2012 Sonata Hybrid brings fresh-new look to the hybrid car market.

The new Sonata Hybrid features a 4-door coupe styling with raked roofline, unique hexagonal front grille and LED headlight accents with daytime running lights. All of these styling elements help the Sonata Hybrid to distinguish itself from the gasoline powered Sonata sedan.

Under the hood, the 2012 Sonata Hybrid features a 206-horsepower powertrain, which includes a highly-advanced four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to the 6-speed automatic transmission and lithium polymer battery.

The lithium polymer battery is considered as the next-generation battery and is the most efficient battery on the market today. It helps the Sonata to achieve 40 mpg!

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Commercial:

Hyundai Shouwang Concept Car

2011-12-06T08:13:00.000-08:00

Hyundai unveiled its first-ever locally developed car model at an international motor show in China, last week.

Codenamed BHCD-1, the vehicle was developed with an aim to grab more attention of the consumers living in the world’s largest automobile market.

The car is still in concept form, but it was revealed already that Hyundai plans a serial production with release date set for late 2012 or early 2013.

We have already reported that Hyundai aims to develop a new sub-brand which will be marketed exclusively in China. The new brand will offer locally developed car models that will suit to Chinese consumer's demands better than existing models.

And the car we see on the images below will be a part of the new local brand!

Called the “Shouwang”, the mid-size sedan is being displayed at the ninth annual Guangzhou International Motor Show. Reportedly, the car is based on Hyundai Elantra and shares its major powertrain technology with the popular C-segment car from Hyundai.

However, a top official at Beijing Automotive Co., a 50-50 joint venture between Hyundai and Beijing Automotive Co, revealed that the Shouwang will, once it gets into production, also get an exclusive all-electric powertrain. This could happen as early as within a year or two.

When Hyundai puts it on sale, the Shouwang will be the very-first mass produced Hyundai vehicle in China.

There are no other technical details available at this point...

Hyundai Shouwang image gallery:

Hyundai, Kia Sales - November 2011

2011-12-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

Hyundai Motor America announced on Thursday that it sales in November 2011 rose 22 percent compared to a year ago.

The South Korean largest automaker reported sales of 49,610 vehicles in November 2011, compared to 40,723 vehicles a year ago.

Hyundai's best selling car last month was the Sonata, which was closely followed by smaller Elantra compact sedan. Taking third spot was the Santa Fe SUV, which experienced a 12 percent decline in sales from a year ago.

Hyundai Accent performed well last month posting a 15 percent increase in sales. The Tucson CUV and Veracruz SUV registered sales increases of 35 and 36 percent.

Hyundai Genesis sales were down slightly from a year ago, while Equus luxury sedan recorded sales of 300 units. Hyundai Veloster had another great month with 2,538 units sold. Combined sales of Hyundai Veloster so far this year already reached well over 7,000 units sales mark.

Hyundai's year-to-date sales are up 21 percent from a year ago, totaling 594,926 units.

http://www.hyundai-blog.com/index.php/2011/12/03/hyundai-sales-in-november-2011/

Read a more detailed report about Hyundai sales in November 2011 at the link above.

Hyundai Azera 2012

2011-11-17T12:25:00.000-08:00

Hyundai introduces 2012 Azera sedan at the ongoing Los Angeles International Auto Show!

On the heels of record US sales, Hyundai Motor Company unveiled a brand-new Azera near-luxury sedan today. The stylish front-wheel-drive Hyundai sedan, which replaces the slow-selling predecessor, is displayed at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show alongside other Hyundai vehicles, including new Accent hatch, Elantra sedan and Hyundai Sonata hybrid.

The new Hyundai Azera 2012 is more stylish than the outgoing model and features Hyundai's "Fluidic Sculpture" design language.

It sports sophisticated exterior look and comfortable interior, along with more powerful 3,3L GDI Lambda V6 engine, mated to the in-house developed six-speed automatic transmission, and best-in-segment fuel economy.

The all-new Hyundai Azera 2012 Model Year fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city / 29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. This is better than with many of its main rivals, including Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima and even Lexus ES350.

The 2012 Hyundai Azera also features latest safety equipment which includes 9 air-bags. Previous generation Azera "only" had six of them, while the new model offers three more. The most interesting one is a driver's knee airbag!

Other safety features on the 2012 Hyundai near-luxury sedan include standard VSM, ESC, TCS, ABS with Brake Assist and EBD systems. In addition, the all-new Azera hosts a plethora of luxury features such as HID Xenon headlights with LED accents, ventilated front seats, navigation system with rearview camera and many others.

The new Hyundai Azera is scheduled to go on sale in the USA early next year. First model will start arriving to Hyundai dealerships already in February 2012.

Hyundai Azera 2012 video:

Hyundai Crash Tests

2011-11-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

Gone are the days of unsafe and relatively unreliable Hyundai cars. The South Korean carmaker now builds cars with up-to-date safety technology that protects people in case of crashes.

Hyundai's top priority these days is to build reliable, safe and environmentally friendly cars, which also look appealing.

To confirm our theory, let's just look at Hyundai's latest crash tests. EuroNCAP organization just recently reveald crash test results of Hyundai's latest sports car, the 2012 Veloster coupe.

Hyundai Veloster safety rating:

The car received maximum 5 star safety rating - the best a car can get at EuroNCAP crash tests. By getting the top safety rating, the all-new Veloster 3-door coupe has joined other Hyundai vehicles that also received maximum 5-star safety ratings at EuroNCAP tests.

Those include: Hyundai ix35, Hyundai i40 / i40 Wagon, i30 hatchback and i20 B-segment hatchback.

Hyundai Veloster crash test - video:

Hyundai's Q3 profit increases 21%

2011-10-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

Hyundai was once viewed much like many Chinese car companies are being now; known as producers of bland and cheap cars.

Things have changed over the past couple of years and the carmaker has addressed its design and reliability problems to outperform its rivals especially during the past global financial crisis.

Hyundai has become a formidable competitor to more established rivals and a company that constantly posts rising sales and increasing profits.

Earlier today, Hyundai Motor Company announced earnings for the third quarter of the year. Fueled by rise in sales and improved profitability, the automaker's Q3 profits rose 21 percent for a total of $1.7 billion (net profit) achieved during the July to September quarter.

The world's fifth-biggest carmaker increased its third quarter profits compared to a year ago, however, earnings were down slightly when compared to the preceding quarter.

According to automotive experts, the fourth-quarter outlook for the Hyundai brand is bright, despite lingering economic woes.

Hyundai wants to sell 7 million cars in 2012

2011-10-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, Hyundai released some information about new technology that will soon appear in its latest cars and crossovers. The eco-friendly technology and a slew of new models will, according to the carmaker, help it to boost overall yearly sales to as much as 7-million units in 2012.

Hyundai aims to increase its sales by 12 percent in the States and another 10 percent in Europe, where it plans to launch an i30 hatchback. The all-new i30 hatch, which made its official premiere at Frankfurt Auto Show last month, is slated to go on sale in Europe in the first quarter of 2012.

Hyundai projects i30 sales to hit around 120.000 units in Europe and another 100.000 units on markets outside of Europe (Korea, China, Australia).

In addition, Hyundai's sister company Kia Motors plans to release a brand-new cee'd hatchback early next year (see the very-first rendering at car shipping companies website) and Kia Optima 2012 to sustain its growth in Europe and USA.

This year, Hyundai and Kia sales will surpass the 6.5 million sales mark, which means the carmaker will rank as fifth largest carmaker on the planet.

If the company achieves sales of 7 million cars next year, they will surpass the Renault-Nissan as the fourth largest carmaker on the planet.

India: New Hyundai Eon launch! Suzuki Maruti Alto in trouble?

2011-10-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor India launches new Eon entry-level car to challenge the Suzuki Alto mini-car!

Hyundai has finally introduced its all-new entry-level car for Indian market. Named Eon, the new Hyundai mini-car is expected to unsettle the 6-year long hegemony of the Maruti Alto, which has been the most popular small car in India for the past couple of years.

Priced between Rs 2.7 to 3.7 lakh, the Eon has driven into the lower end, compact-car segment which is experiencing a healthy double digit growth, according to latest sales reports.

The new Hyundai Eon will take on Maruti Alto with its stylish exterior and modern interior lay-out. Powered by a brand-new 814 cc petrol engine, the package promises segment-leading performance and fuel efficiency.

Hyundai plans to sell 12.000 new Eons in India each month, while first year's sales projections are set at 150.000 units. Maruti Alto, India's best-selling small car averages sales of about 25.000 units per month, so Hyundai will most probably not be able to exceed those sales numbers.

However, the new Eon is expected to increase the South Korean carmaker's car market share from 18.3 percent at this point to more than 20 percent by the end of the year.

During the last four days before Eon's official launch, Hyundai received around 5.000 new car bookings. Once the car hits the streets of India, bookings are expected to rise at much faster pace, say Hyundai officials.

Hyundai Eon video:

Hyundai i30 plug-in hybrid

2011-10-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hyundai i30 plug-in hybrid car rumored to hit the market in 2013!!

Great news for all Hyundai fans living in Europe! One of the leading automobile magazines in Germany recently reported Hyundai is developing a highly-efficient plug-in hybrid version of the up-coming i30 hatchback!

According to latest reports, the official launching ceremony for the new i30 plug-in hybrid car is planned for the end of 2012, while production will begin in the firts quarter of 2013.

The all-new Hyundai i30 plug-in hybrid will be built in Czech Republic (Europe), where Hyundai has set up its production base and produces vehicles destined for the European market.

Hyundai's highly advanced hybrid car will compete against new Toyota Prius plug-in, which will also hit the European market sometime next year. However, i30 will undercut its Japanes rival by a few thousand Euros. revealed sources close to Hyundai Motor Company.

That's right, folks, the hybridized 2013 Hyundai i30 hatchback will become Europe's cheapest plug-in gas-electric vehicle once it hits the roads.

Hyundai - Top-selling car brand in Russia - September 2011

2011-10-11T09:45:00.000-07:00

High demand and increased sales enable Hyundai to regain top spot in Russian car market!

Each and every day we keep reading positive news regarding increased sales of Hyundai cars. The carmaker's new models, including Elantra, Accent and Sonata are hot sellers, not only in the States, but also in Europe, South America, China and Russia.

Speaking of Russia, this is the market where Hyundai achieved a significant sales success, recently. According to latest auto industry data, Hyundai Motor Company was the best-selling foreign carmaker in Russia during the month of September 2011.

Hyundai's total sales in Russia last month reached 15.317 units, enough to take the No. 1 spot among competitive carmakers. In September, Hyundai beat Chevrolet, which sold 15.255 cars, to take the number one spot in Russia. Following the two best-selling carmakers were Nissan, Renault, Ford and Kia.

Hyundai sales have skyrocketed shortly after Solaris made its debut. The all-new Hyundai Solaris is a four-door sedan, based on new Hyundai Accent, which features some technical upgrades suited for local conditions. The Russia-built Solaris compact car experienced a high demand over the past couple.

Last month, the Solaris was also the best selling foreign car in Russia, with sales hitting 9.479 units!

Hyundai, Kia to export 2 million cars in 2011

2011-10-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor Company and its affiliate Kia Motors are well on track to see their exports rise above 2 million units in one year alone!

Both South Korean carmakers have experienced a high demand for their new vehicles. Sales are up, compared to a year ago and if the current trend of rising sales continues, Kia and Hyundai will export more than 2 million vehicles in one year for the first time.

Through August this year, the top two automakers in Korea have exported a total of 1.44 million new vehicles to worldwide. This is more than 13 percent increase compared to a year ago. Their outbound shipment value jumped 30 percent to $20.6 billion over the same period, revealed KAMA. Last year, Hyundai and Kia exported a total of 1.99 million units worth $25.3 billion.

The sharp increase in sales in overseas markets such as Europe, China, Russia and USA is attributed to increased demand for Hyundai's new Sonata and Elantra sedans, which were the top-selling Hyundai nameplates in the States for the last couple of months.

On the other hand, Kia increased its sales of new Sorento crossover and reports high interest in the up-coming Kia Rio and revised Soul crossover. Read more about Hyundai sales projections here...

SsangYong SUVs to capture 20 percent market in Korea

2011-09-22T06:55:00.000-07:00

New vision to bring new models and higher sales, says SsangYong, South Korea's smallest carmaker.

SsangYong revealed a new brand development and sales growth strategy for the next few years.

Called "Aspiration 2016" the new ambitious vision will not only result in more new models hitting the streets of South Korea and other markets, but also means the carmaker will increase its sales significantly and become more competitive player in the automotive field.

According to company's CEO Lee Yoo-il, SsangYong's vision is to become the most innovative and respected Korean automobile company.

Speaking of sales, the carmaker wants to lift its sales from less than 100.000 units achieved last year, to more than 160.000 vehicles by 2013 and hit the 300.000 sales by 2016.

At the same time, SsangYong aims to capture around 20 percent of domestic SUV market share. The company is recognized as a niche carmaker focusing on SUV and crossover vehicle production.

To achieve the above-mentioned sales goals, SsangYong revealed it plans to unveil five facelift models by 2013 and four completely new models by 2016. Some of them will also be zero-pollution electric vehicles.

One of those 4 new vehicles will be the production model of the XIV concept crossover vehicle, which made its debut at Frankfurt Auto Show, last month. The Kia-Soul-crossover sized CUV will feature sporty design and plenty of features at affordable price, say sources close to the carmaker.

You can see more details about the exciting XIV concept by following the link: SsangYong XIV-1

Meanwhile, Hyundai also intends to launch a B-segment SUV withing a year or two, meaning the battle for consumer will intensify further with new-coming models from Hyundai and SsangYong. And Kia might add its share by unveiling the next-generation all-wheel-drive Kia Soul!

World's cheapest car Tata Nano becomes the most expensive mini-car on planet

2011-09-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

You've all probably heard of Tata Nano city-car, right? Those who don't know it, this is the world's cheapest car that costs around $2,500. It was launched in India about three years ago with the aim to become the new "people's car".

Just for your information, Tata Nano is considered to be the main competitor of the new Hyundai Eon, which was introduced to you guys yesterday. Read more about new Eon here. Back to Tata Nano...

When Tata announced it aims to build the world's cheapest car, they received plenty of publicity as almost every newspaper and automobile magazine published the story about the carmaker's intentions.

Three years after its official unveiling, Tata drops another news bomb by expanding the Nano range with a very exclusive, and probably a single edition, Nano "GoldPlus" crafted in gold, silver and gemstone.

The jewel encrusted GoldPlus Nano is covered in 80 kilograms of 22 carat gold and 15 kilograms of silver and also features 10.000 semi-precious stones and gems, according to latest reports.

According to Tata, the new version of Nano citi-car is designed to celebrate 5000 years of jewelry making in India.

So, now you know how did the world's cheapest car become the priciest small car in the world! :)

Photosource: Koreaherald

New Hyundai Eon mini-car

2011-09-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hyundai releases first official renderings of the all-new Eon city-car!

Hyundai will unveil a brand-new city car in India next month. Scheduled to make its official public premiere in October, the new mini-car from Hyundai will be called Eon.

It will be the smallest car Hyundai has ever produced and will be offered exclusively in India. The second most populated country in the world will also be the home of new Hyundai Eon, as the carmaker will produce it there.

While we have no reports on estimated sales numbers, the Eon will be a high-volume car competing against the likes of Tata Nano and Suzuki Alto, which has been the best selling vehicle in India for years.

The new Eon will be built upon a modified i10 platform and will be powered by a brand-new 0,8L engine developed by Hyundai. The engine churns out 56 horsepower and achieves 21,1 km with one liter of fuel!

As mentioned above, Hyundai Eon release date is set for October this year, so let's wait until then to find more details about the long-anticipated mini-car. [Source: Hyundai-blog.com]

Here are some imagesof the new Hyundai Eon:

Hyundai, SsangYong lift sales targets

2011-09-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

SsangYong is the smallest South Korean carmaker. Actually, it is not even Korean anymore, since it was acquired by India's Mahindra & Mahindra automobile maker a while ago. Still, the company has its own know-how and production plants in Korea, therefore we can say it's remains to be a "Korean" car brand.

Well, recently, the SsangYong revealed its plans to increase its 2012 global sales by introducing several new vehicles, including the hot-looking XIV concept car, which was unveiled at Frankfurt Auto Show last week. In addition, the carmaker also plans to introduce a mid-size pick-up truck and offer it at International markets.

SsangYong plans to sell 40.000 new vehicles in the European market in 2012. Of the total sales target set for next year, 25.000 units are expected to be sold in Russia, while sales in Britain is scheduled to reach 3.500 units. The rest of the planned sales quota will be sold over the rest of Europe.

SsangYong's domestic rival, Hyundai Motor Company also announced earlier this week that it plans to sell more cars worldwide than planned earlier. Combined sales of Hyundai vehicles are expected to hit 4 million units, up 100.000 units from 3.9 million planned, initially.

The fastest growing car maker on the planet puts high hopes on both of just-recently-launched vehicles, the all-new Hyundai i40 and 2012 Hyundai i30. Especially the latter has just received a very positive response from European media and consumers. FYI, it was launched on Tuesday in Frankfurt.

Hyundai succeeded to make the new i30 hatch to look more European than the outgoing model, therefore the company expects it to be in a very high demand from the beginning of its sales scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2012.

Hyundai's European market share stood at 2.6 percent in 2010, falling short of its 4.6 percent in the U.S. However, new models are expected to lift Hyundai sales in Europe by about 10 percent to as much as 400.000 units this year.

SsangYong makes comeback with new XIV-1 concept crossover!

2011-09-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

SsangYong, the South Korean fourth largest carmaker, is ready to make a full comeback with release of a 2012 Kia Soul-sized crossover vehicle.

Currently in the concept form, the XIV-1 is more than just a design study and previews the all-new B-segment crossover vehicle that is expected to hit the market within two years.

Initially, the yet-unnamed crossover vehicle from SsangYong will be sold in Korea, while later the carmaker will also offer it at markets outside Korea. This means, the model could soon appear in Europe, Russia and perhaps even in United States.

According to insider reports, SsangYong want to bring the CUV out as quick as possible!

Honestly, we really like the styling of a concept car. It looks by far the most appealing product SsangYong has ever created. Eventhough still in concept form, we are pretty sure that the final model will look pretty close to the concept released at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, yesterday.

Hyundai, Kia watch-out, cause this is a striking crossover vehicle!

Here are a few additional images of the highly-attractive XIV-1 concept:

Kia Rio 3-door debuts in Frankfurt

2011-09-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

Kia unveils its all-new 3-door 2012 Rio hatchback at Frankfurt Auto Show!

Already available as a five-door hatch and a four-door sedan, the 2012 Kia Rio expands its range by additional 3-door model.

According to Kia, the 3-door Rio retains the same key exterior dimensions as the 5-door Rio. The 3-door model also adopts the same powertrain technology, meaning the model is available with a wide range of highly efficient three- and four-cylinder engines - with horsepower ratings from 75 hp to 109 hp.

Mated to the engines can be either a six-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission, says Kia. Strangely, the carmaker does not offer the six-speed automatic in Europe, although it is available in the new Rio in USA.

The most interesting of all Rios for us is the one with 1.1L diesel engine. Why? Because it is powered with the same engine that will soon appear in new Hyundai cars.

The 1.1L CRDI unit has impressive horsepower rating for its size (75 horsepower)! Even more impressive is its low fuel consumption of just 3.2 litres per 100 km (88.2 mpg) and record-breaking CO2 rating of just 85 g/km! The lowest CO2 rating among gasoline-powered cars!

When will the same fuel-sipping engine be available in a Hyundai car? We do not know for sure, but it will probably be introduced in a facelifted Hyundai i20, which is scheduled to debut early next year.

First Hyundai i20 prototypes have already been spied testing in the wild. Stay tuned for more news from Frankfurt Auto Show! Find more about 2012 Kia Rio 3 door

Kia Optima Hybrid record

2011-09-13T01:50:00.000-07:00

Kia is one of the leaders in the automobile industry when it comes to fuel economy. The carmaker has proved that recently by celebrating the setting of a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle, while driving across all 48 States of the USA!

Drivers Wayne Gerdes from Wadsworth, Illinois, and Chris Bernius from New York City, successfully piloted a factory-standard 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan through a 7,899 mile route across America and achieved an incredible average fuel consumption of 64.55 mpg US (3.64 l/100 km), beating the car’s official EPA highway fuel consumption figure by 61.37 per cent.

Kia's 48 state challenge was completed in 14 days driving an average of 564 miles per day. The Optima Hybrid used just over 5.5 tanks of gasoline to complete the route, recording an average distance of 1,418 miles between fill-ups. To comply with Guinness World Record guidelines, the Optima Hybrid had to carry two people and their luggage throughout the journey.

The record attempt was verified by Philip Robertson, Adjudicator at Guinness World Records, who also presented the drivers with their Guinness World Record certificate at an official handover ceremony at Kia Motors’ manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia on September 12.

The record set is officially titled “Lowest fuel consumption driving through all 48 contiguous U.S. states in a gasoline hybrid car,” which is a new category created by Guinness World Records. In order to qualify for a new record, the Kia Optima Hybrid was required to achieve a minimum of 52.27 mpg, which the fuel-sipping Optima Hybrid exceeded by 23 per cent.

After a send-off by local dignitaries and Kia team members on August 26 at Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, the drivers departed on their epic journey in a clockwise direction, with the two drivers averaging approximately 564 miles per day. They finished their route in the city of Greenville, South Carolina, just over two weeks later on September 9. After a rigorous accreditation process by Guinness World Records, the drivers and car were transported to West Point for the closing ceremony and celebration.

Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, Thomas Oh, commented, “Kia Motors is deeply proud to have set a new Guinness World Record. It is testament to the quality of the design, engineering and production methods of the Kia Optima Hybrid. The drivers had to complete their unsupported drive through all kinds of American terrain and weather conditions and they did it without a single hitch from the Optima Hybrid while setting what is such an impressive fuel consumption figure.

“While travelling across the United States the Optima Hybrid experienced temperatures ranging from more than 118 degrees Fahrenheit to less than freezing point. The team climbed through the formidable Rocky mountain chain and negotiated rush hour traffic in Chicago, New York City and Las Vegas – which makes the Optima Hybrid’s fuel consumption figure all the more impressive,” added Mr Oh.

Record-breaking driver, Wayne Gerdes, said, "The Kia Optima Hybrid was the perfect vehicle for this long road trip. It is spacious, comfortable and fun-to-drive, and the parallel gasoline-electric powertrain provided considerable efficiency at highway speeds and the car performed flawlessly throughout the 7,899 mile drive."

Find more about Kia cars and other South Korean carmakers here...

2013 Hyundai i30 revealed ahead of its public premiere!

2011-09-06T13:23:00.001-07:00

First official images of the all-new 2013 Hyundai i30 leak to the web!

A few weeks ago, Hyundai Motor Company announced it plans to unveil a brand-new i30 hatchback at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show! The most important automobile event in Europe opens its doors next week, btw!

Ahead of its public premiere, we are bringing you some images of the all-new Hyundai i30. According to Hyundai-blog.com, the 2013 i30 will initially be available with 4 different four-cylinder engines.

Under the hood of the 2013 Hyundai i30 will be 1,4L and 1,6L GDI petrol engines with 100 and 140 horsepower, respectively. Diesel power will come from 1,4L and 1,6L CRDI four-cylinder units with 90 and 126 horsepower. Six-speed manual transmission will be standard on all models, while customers will also be able to select a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Set to go on sale in Europe during the first half of 2012, the all-new 2013 Hyundai i30 will be built at Hyundai's European manufacturing plant located in Czech Republic.

Hyundai Sales 2011

2011-09-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

Hyundai of USA reports 9 percent increase in sales in August 2011!

Hyundai Motor America announced recently it has sold 58.505 new cars, SUVs and crossover vehicles in the U.S. market during the month of August 2011. The number represents 9 percent increase in sales compared to the same month a year ago.

Leading the carmaker's US sales last month was the Sonata mid-size sedan with 20.682 units sold. Following the popular Sonata sedan was another US-produced model, the Elantra compact car, which recorded sales of more than 15.000 units.

The Santa Fe SUV, which is going to be replaced with a newer model late next year, and Tucson CUV saw their sales increase 55 and 24 percent, respectively. The all-new 2012 Hyundai Accent, which went on sale in June, saw its sales soar 38 percent in August. Just for your record, the 2012 Hyundai Accent was the best-selling compact car in the States in July 2011!

According to Dave Zuchowski, demand for Hyundai vehicles remained strong last month despite tough market conditions. "We are still seeing consumer demand increasing, with Hyundai consideration rates now at an all-time high. This should drive continued sales momentum for Hyundai through the rest of 2011, even if the industry struggles a bit," added Dave.

With the new Veloster just around the corner, Hyundai expects the demand for its fuel-savy cars will continue to rise through the rest of the year. The company also believes the group of 40-mpg cars will further increase its sales. Last month, Hyundai sold 20.600 vehicles with 40-mpg fuel economy rating in the USA. Those cars include the all-new Hyundai Elantra, 2012 Accent and new Sonata hybrid car.

New Hyundai Models Product Plan for 2012 / 2013

2011-08-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here we have a little update on upcoming Hyundai models destined to hit the worldwide market within a year or two.

Hyundai Eon: Hyundai's smallest car ever is set to go on sale in the fourth quarter of the year. It will first be available in India, while later it will go on sale on selected Asian markets. Positioned below the i10 city-car, the all-new Hyundai Eon will take on Tata Nano and Maruti Alto.

Hyundai Accent: No major plans here since the models is still pretty fresh. Hyundai might introduce a turbo-powered Accent in 2012, however, this has yet to be confirmed by the carmaker.

Hyundai i20: Available in Europe and India, this city commuter is going to receive a mid-cycle facelift in 2012. Expect to see a brand-new 3-cylinder turbo diesel engine under the hood of slightly refreshed i20.

Hyundai Veloster: The all-new Veloster is just around the corner. If 138 horsepower's not enough for you, wait for just another couple of months to get a hotter version sporting a brand-new turbocharged 1.6L GDI engine with approximate horsepower rating of 210 + !

Hyundai Elantra Coupe: Hyundai's top-seller on the U.S. soil is getting a two door version soon. Expected to make its official debut at the L.A. Auto Show in November, the all-new Elantra Coupe will feature even more appealing exterior lay-out and the same powertrain technology as its 4-door sibling.

Hyundai Azera: Goes on sale in the USA late this year or early next year. The near-luxury sedan, positioned below Genesis sedan will get a whole new look, more comfortable interior with a plethora of luxury features, as well as updated powertrain technology. Expect the sedan to make its global debut at L.A. Auto Show in November.

Hyundai Santa Fe CUV / ix45: Spied undergoing final development testing, the all-new Santa Fe CUV will go on sale in 2013, if not earlier. Hyundai will probably drop the currently-available V6 engine and replace it with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that is already available in the 2012 Hyundai Sonata!

Genesis Coupe: The carmaker's hottest product till date, the Genesis Coupe is also getting a slight makeover for the 2012 model year. Expect to see some major styling updates on the front fascia, which will result in a more aggressive look. Engines: no news about engine upgrades, however you can expect Hyundai engineers to tweak existing V6 and turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine.

Hyundai plug-in hybrid: Apparently, it won't take long until Hyundai joins the "green party" with its own product. According to several reports, the South Korean carmaker is developing a mid-size plug-in hybrid car that is rumored to hit the States in 2013 or 2014.

Hyundai sports sedan: Following the plug-in hybrid car will be BMW 3-series competitor based on a shortened platform of a 2014 Hyundai Genesis sedan. No further details about the premium sports sedan are available at this point!
Read more:

SsangYong XUV 1

2011-08-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

SsangYong Motor Company, which was acquired by Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra, has revealed plans to unveil a brand-new crossover vehicle in September!

Named SsangYong XUV 1, the concept crossover is scheduled to make its official public premiere at the forth-coming Frankfurt Auto Show. The carmaker describes its new concept CUV as a "premium Crossover Utility Vehicle" that belongs to sub-compact car segment.

This means the XUV 1 concept is about the same size as Nissan Juke or Kia Soul crossover and slightly smaller than new Hyundai Tucson CUV.

In terms of design, the concept vehicle boasts attractive exterior layout (see the official teaser images) with a plethora of unique styling elements.The SsangYong XUV 1 features a wraparound wind-screen that extends the glass area to the large C-pillars and coach style doors.

Inside, the concept car features flexible seating layouts while all chief functions inside the cabin are controlled via mobile devices and smart instruments...

More details will be available once the vehicle makes its public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show (next month).

What does this mean for Hyundai and other carmakers? Simply, more competition!

SsangYong XUV 1 image gallery:

Hyundai i20 Blue

2011-08-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Hyundai adds i20 Blue to its produt line-up in the UK!

Earlier this year, Hyundai launched the i10 Bleu in the UK. Following the low-emission i10 city car is the i20 Blue, which was launched today.

Ater the i10 Blue, the all-new Hyundai i20 Blue is yet another vehicle from the South Korean carmaker that relases less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Furthermore, with CO2 emissions of just 98 grams per kilometre, the i20 Blue is the lowest emitting vehicle in Hyundai UK's product range.

The all-new Hyundai i20 Blue features a wide range of eco-friendly powertrain technologies, including low-rolling resistance tires, Intelligent Stop & Go -ISG system, rear suspension under cover and rear wheel deflector.

These are the features that help the i20 Blue to achieve 12 percent reduction of CO2 emissions in comparison to the regular 1,4L diesel engine powered i20.

Hyundai i20 Blue price & features

Hyundai i20 Blue is based on the current i20 Comfort trim level (available in the UK) and is coupled with the Euro V 1.4 CRDi diesel engine with 90 horsepower. In the UK, the i20 Blue is priced at £13,195.

For the price of little more than £13KT, a buyer gets a plethora of standard features such as Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, 15-inch alloy wheels, electric heated and folding door mirrors, steering wheel audio controls, steering wheel audio controls, USB and aux connections air conditioning and remote central locking.

The all-new Hyundai i20 Blue is already on sale in the UK!

Hyundai reports June 2011 sales

2011-07-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor America announced its latest sales results for the month of June 2011!

The South Korean carmaker set an all-new monthly record selling nearly 60.000 new vehicles in one month alone. With almost 20.000 units sold, respectively, the Sonata and Elantra retained the as the top selling Hyundai models in the States.

Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, which is getting a replacement within a year or two, has done a great job as well. In June, Hyundai dealers sold more than 7.000 units of Santa Fe. The Santa Fe's little brother Tucson crossover recorded sales of 4.406 units, while seven-seat passanger crossover - Veracruz posted sales of nearly 1.000 units (600+ June 2010).

Hyundai Genesis sedan, which received a mid-cycle makeover last month has also posted record sales for the month. With sales of 3.149 units, Genesis almost surpassed the all-new 2012 Accent sub-compact car with 3.612 units sold.

Hyundai also sold 221 units of Equus luxury sedan, which is a respectable achievement for a luxury car that just hit the market.

According to Hyundai, its sales for the first six months of the year are up 26 percent. With the upcoming Veloster and Elantra coupes, as well as increased supply of new Hyundai Accent, the carmaker is confident to increase its sales in the second half of 2011.

See detailed Hyundai June sales table at our friend's site Hyundai-blog.com

New Samsung QM5 to challenge Hyundai ix35/Tucson, Kia Sorento CUV

2011-06-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

Renault Samsung Motors, which operates in South Korea and exports its cars to a dozen of foreign countries, unveiled its facelifted QM5 crossover vehicle in Korea.

With the new QM5, the Renault Samsung Motors aims to challenge the South Korean crossover rivals such as Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sorento CUVs.

The all-new Samsung QM5 is a slightly redesigned crossover vehicle, which has been on sale in Korea for about two years. The model has also been sold in Europe as Renault Koleos.

The mid-cycle makeover affected the exterior, which now features sportier front fascia with redesigned headlamps and radiator grille that provide the vehicle a more urban style.

The new QM5 features upgraded four-cylinder engines (diesel and gasoline) and slightly redesigned interior lay-out with upper grade materials.

Renault-Samsung hopes that latest styling changes and powertrain upgrades will spawn more interest in the new QM5 crossover in Korea. The company hopes to take some sales from Hyundai ix35 and 2012 Kia Sorento, as well as Kia Sportage crossover.

Hyundai Elantra 2-door

2011-06-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

Our friends over at Hyundai-Blog.com just published the very-first spy shot of the 2012 Elantra Coupe. Apparently, a reader of theirs have sent them an image whichhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif reveals a heavily-camoed Elantra 2-door, which is rumored to make its official premiere at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show.

Head over to their blog to see the image of the Hyundai Elantra 2-door!

Hyundai not interested in Opel, plans to boost European sales

2011-06-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

Earlier this monthy, Germany automobile media speculated over Hyundai's purchase of Opel. Asd you already know, some automobile experts revealed GM was considering putting Opel back up for sale and in addition to VW and China's Beijing Automotive Industry Holding, Hyundai Motor Company was tipped as a possible buyer.

Hyundai Motor Company today revealed it has no interest and no plans to acquire the European carmaker. Rather than gaining the European market share by buying competitors, the South Korean carmaker wants to improve its sales by offering more new cars suited for European consumers.

Hyundai revealed today it wants to boost its European sales by 10 percent to 400.000 units in 2011 and 500.000 units by 2013 ( up nearly 40 percent from 2010!).

Speaking of new models, Hyundai plans to officially launch the all-new i40 mid-size sedan and wagon models as well as a brand-new entry-level 2012 Hyundai Veloster coupe. In 2012, the carmaker is also expected to release a 2012 Hyundai i30, which should replace the current i30 model that is being built in Czech Republic (Europe).

Hyundai i45 named "Best Family Car for 2011"

2011-06-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

Edmunds.com names Hyundai i45 mid-size sedan as the best family car for 2011!

If you're looking for a new family vehicle to replace your old sedan, you might want to take a look at the "best family car of 2011". According to Edmunds.com and car experts from Parents magazine, the best family car for 2011 is i45 sedan from Hyundai Motor Company.

Automobile experts from both renowned publicitations compared hundreds of vehicles focusing on safety and reliability as top priorities and chose the 2011 Hyundai i45 as the best of all family cars currently on the market.

The all-new Hyundai i45 boasts beautifully executed exterior design and offers class-leading comfort. It is also one of the safest cars out there. It features advanced standard safety technologies achieving a 5-star ANCAP rating in Australia and USA.

Known also as Hyundai Sonata in the States, the 2011 i45 offers a 2.4L GDI Theta engine and six-speed automatic transmission. [Source: Hyundai Motor Australia]

2012 Hyundai Sonata Updates

2011-06-11T03:09:00.000-07:00

Hyundai's award-winning Sonata sedan has received some updates for the 2012 model year. No, the popular mid-size sedan did not receive any styling updates, however, the 2012 model boasts slightly upgraded engines and more equipment for the price.

2012 Hyundai Sonata updates:

- touch-screen navigation with HD Radio Technology now available

- panoramic sunroof now standard on 2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited

- Blue Link telematics system standard on all Sonatas

- Rear backup camera available on Hyundai Sonata SE with Sunroof and Navigation Package

Engine line-up upgrades:

Hyundai engineers slightly updated the fuel-savy engine line-up so the four-cylinder engines for further improved fuel efficiency.

Hyundai's Theta II GDI 2.4L fuel economy: 24 city / 35 highway

Theta II GDI 2.0-liter turbo fuel economy: 22 city / 34 highway

According to Hyundai-blog.com, the 2012 Sonata delivers best-in-class fuel economy. [Source: Hyundai-blog.com]

Hyundai luxury cars gain market share in USA

2011-05-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hyundai's recently launched Equus luxury sedan and rear-wheel-drive Genesis sedan are boosting Hyundai Motor's presence in the U.S. luxury sedan market. Both luxury models have sold above initial expectations, says Hyundai.

Latest automobile sales data reveal that sales of Hyundai Genesis averages at approximatelly 2,500 units each month, while Equus sales averages at around 250 units each month. Last month, Hyundai Genesis took more than 10 percent of the mid-luxury car segment, while its larger sibling, the Equus sedan accumulated a market share of 5,4%!

Sales of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan and 2011 Equus luxury sedan go beyond our expectations," said a company spokesman. The South Korean carmaker forecasts the sales of both sedans to reach above 30.000 units ( Hyundai Genesis) and more than 3.000 units (Equus) in the USA this year. [Source: Koreaherald ]

Hyundai sales in April 2011

2011-05-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

April 2011 was a very strong month for Hyundai Motor America! The South Korean carmaker recently reported an all-time record April 2011 sales of 61.754 units! The number represents a 40 percent increase compared with the same record-breaking period in 2010.

Hyundai's sales-to-date in the States are up as well. The automaker increased its sales so far by more than 30 percent, with retail volume rising 40 percent. According to Hyundai Motor America, sales to fleet accounts are down 45 percent for the year with fleet representing 13 percent of the total sales mix year-to-date.

Hyundai's best-selling nameplate in April 2011 was the popular Elantra with sales surpassing the 22.000 sales mark. It was followed by Sonata mid-size sedan and Santa Fe SUV in second and third spot with sales 21,730 and 5,771 units, respectively.

April 2011 marks the first time Hyundai sold more than 20,000 units in the same month of two different models.

You can find more detailed April 2011 sales report at our friend's Hyundai blog: Hyundai sales April

Hyundai introduces 1,6L turbo engine

2011-04-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

At the 2011 Seoul auto show, Hyundai announced it has developed the 1,6L turbo engine.

The 1,6L Turbo engine features a twin-scroll turbo-charger which helps the engine to produce as much as 208 horsepower, while at the same time helps reducing the engine's fuel-consumption.

We are expecting the Hyundai to officially announce the new turbo engine at the 2011 New York Auto Show, which kicks off next week.

New Hyundai 1,6L turbo engine will be first available in the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, while later it is expected to appear in other Hyundai compact cars including the next-generation Hyundai i30 and upcoming Hyundai Elantra coupe.

Hyundai's sister firm, Kia Motors might also benefit from this highly advanced 1,6L turbo engine and models such as Kia Optima Koup and new cee'd could get the engine sometime in the near future.

Hyundai Blue 2 concept car

2011-04-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hyundai introduces new hydrogen-powered fuel-cell concept car named Blue 2 at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show!

Named Blue 2, the concept car's name is a derivate of Hyundai's sub eco-brand called "Blue Drive" and the number 2, which comes from H2 and symbolizes the symbol for hydrogen gas.

It was designed and developed at Hyundai's Seoul based reasearch and design headquarters with an aim at gaining early leadership of the fuel cell electric vehicle market.

Hyundai Blue 2 concept vehicle is powered by a 122 horsepower fuel cell stack that delivers a mileage capability of 34.9 km/liter on the car. The car features aerodynamic enhancements as well as low roll-resistance tires and light-weight alloy wheels to improve its fuel-economy.

The latest concept car from Hyundai is full of innovative technologies. It features a highly advanced fuel cell stack under the hood, which poweres the car, as well as a plethora of other infotainment systems and technologies including a welcome system that recognizes the driver, automatic opening door system and both, side cameras and a roof cameras replacing the conventional side mirrors.

Inside, the Hyundai Blue 2 concept features interior design which encompasses a futuristic look by using eco-friendly new materials.

China: Hyundai sales soar

2011-03-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hyundai has become the third best-seeling automobile brand in China this year. In the first month of 2011, the South Korean carmaker, which operates two manufacturing plants in China and has another one under construction, sold 72.000 units in January 2011 and 50.717 new vehicles in February 2011.

Despite selling less vehicles than in a month earlier, February sales still represent a 36 percent increase compared to the same month from a year ago. Hyundai's market share also rose 0.9 percentage point from 5.8 percent in January to 6.7 percent in February.

Hyundai's sister company, Kia Motors (Kia Optima colors), has also been successful last month. Although its sales soared only 4.3 percent, the company sold 25.008 new vehicles in the world's largest car market, which was enough to become the 9th largest automobile brand in China.

Hyundai, on the other hand, has taken the No.3 spot among car brands in China, following the Shanghai-Volkswagen and Shanghai-GM taking first and second spot.

New Hyundai Veloster sports coupe launch

2011-03-12T02:05:00.000-08:00

Hyundai launches new Veloster sports coupe in South Korea.

Hyundai Motor Company today launched the all-new Veloster sports coupe in Korea. The new model has been launched as of the automaker's new brand, called "Premium Youth Lab," which targets younger buyer by offering "premium emotional values", revealed Hyundai Motor Company.

The all-new Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe, which made official worldwide debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show earlier this year, delivers innovation to the compact coupe segment with a unique three-door design (one door on the driver's side, two doors on the other side), Hyundai's Blue Link system, and Pandora Internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display.

The new Veloster is propelled by Hyundai's brand-new 1.6L GDI (direct-injected) four-cyl. engine, which is mated to the camaker's in-house developed dual-clutch transmission -DCT. The all-new 1.6L GDI engine belongs to Gamma engine family and is currently the automaker's smallest engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology.

The gasoline-direct-injection technology enables the engine to provide plenty of power (138 horsepower in this case) and emit fewer emissions as similarly sized powerplants. Hyundai American Technical Center powertrain director, John Juriga commented: "Despite its small size, the 1.6L GDI unit generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 mpg on the highway."

In South Korea, prices for the new Hyundai Veloster coupe will start at 19.4 million (Korean Won) or $17.200 and will go up to 20.95 million or $18.640. Production will be limited to 18.000 units only.

During the official launching ceremony, Hyundai Motor Company also revealed it plans to commence the sales of the Veloster in the European market in the first half of 2011, while U.S. sales are scheduled to begin in the second half of the year.

Is Kia K9 the same car as Hyundai Equus luxury sedan?

2011-02-28T14:07:00.000-08:00

Spies have caught the all-new Kia K9 luxury sedan in Korea. The Kia K9 has been rumored to hit the South Korean market in spring 2012 as a 2013 model year. No official details about the car has been released as of yet, however, Kia fans over at Kia-World.net reported that the K9 luxury sedan shares powertrain technology with the 2011 Hyundai Equus.

Hyundai Equus sits on a rear-wheel drive platform, meaning the Kia K9 will become Kia's first ever rear-wheel-drive sedan. If rumors appear to be true, then the K9 will be powered by Hyundai's Tau V8 engine. It is not known which engine Hyundai will put under the hood of Kia's luxury car, but there are two options; the 4,6L V8 or 5,0L V8. In both cases, the V8 powerplant features GDI technology and churns out plenty of horsepower.

The 8-speed automatic transmission is also expected to be fitted under the hood of new Kia K9. Stay tuned for more news... [Photosource: bobaedream.co.kr]

Hyundai i40 Tourer

2011-02-22T10:05:00.000-08:00

Hyundai i40 revealed ahead of its Geneva 2011 public premiere!

Hyundai released first images of its all-new D-segment car, which will hit the European market in June this year. Named Hyundai i40 Tourer, the all-new mid-size wagon-type Hyundai model will compete against the best European models, including the VW Passat, Ford Mondeo or Opel Insighnia.

Designed in Europe, the all-new Hyundai i40 Tourer takes styling cues from several Hyundai concept cars which were presented at major auto shows during the last two years. The car features automaker's hexagonal signature grille. The grille is flanked by two jewel-like headlamps, for a contemporary, confident look that is accentuated by the characterful lines that connect the front and rear of the vehicle, adding to the i40's eye-catching, sophisticated and modern style.

Hyundai has yet to release more powertrain details, but so far, the automaker revealed that there will be the 1.7L diesel engine available. Codenamed U2, the diesel engine releases just 113 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which is one of the best figures for the segment! Expect to see at least two more gasoline-powered engines in the i40 Touring's engine line-up.

Speaking of 2011 Geneva auto show, Hyundai i40 Tourer will not be the only star of the Hyundai's stand. There will also be the all-new Veloster coupe presented for the first time in Europe, as well as the Curb concept crossover, which has already been displayed in the States.

New Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Accent rival

2011-02-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

As we mentioned in the previous post, GM Daewoo unveiled the all-new Chevrolet Aveo sub-compact car in the South Korean market today. The all-new Aveo, which will compete against Hyundai Accent / Verna in Korea, is already the second vehicle GM Daewoo launched this week. And there are more to come...

The all-new Chevrolet Aveo is a great looking car, which is fun to drive said Mike Arcamone, president of GM Daewoo. Its boasts bold exterior styling and offers the most spacious interior in the segment.

According to the carmaker, the new Aveo will be offered in two forms - as a five-door hatchback and 4-door sedan. Initially, only the 5-door Aveo will be available, while 4-door sedan is scheduled to hit the market in May 2011.

The new Aveo will be powered by 1.6L four-cylinder engine that generates 114 horsepower, which is less than its main rival, the all-new Hyundai Accent, which is also offered with the 1.6L engine. The engine will be coupled with either a six-spped manual or automatic tranmsission.

Pricing for the Hyundai Accent rival starts at $10,080 for the base model and top $12,480 for the top-end Chevrolet Aveo model. [image source: Koreaherald.com]

Daewoo launches all-new Chevrolet Orlando MPV in South Korea

2011-02-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

GM Daewoo unveils new 7-seat MPV named Chevrolet Orlando...

The all-new Orlando MPV is introducing a new vehicle segment in South Korea says Mike Arcamone, president and CEO of GM Daewoo. Defining the vehicle as South Korea's first Active Life Vehicle -ALV, the Orlando comes equipped with 2.0L diesel engine packing impressive 163 horsepower and maximum torque of 36.7 kilogram-meters.

The large-sized MPV achieves 17.4 km/l when fitted with six-speed manual transmission or 14.0 km/l with automatic transmission.

In Korea, the new Orlando is available in three different trims with pricing starting at 19 million for the base Orlando model and 24 million won for the top-of-the-range model (US$17.200 - $21.700).

The all-new Orlando MPV is the first new vehicle GM plans to roll out in Korea in order to acquire larger market share. Currently, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group holds more than 75 percent of the domestic market.

In addition, to bringing new models such as Orlando MPV and Chevrolet Aveo compact car, GM Daewoo will also be renamed to GM Korea Co. [image source: Yonhap News]

Hyundai starts Solaris production in Russia

2011-01-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

Hyundai Solaris production commences at the automaker's brand-new manufacturing plant in Russia!

Hyundai announced today it has began production of its all-new Solaris sub-compact sedan at its brand-new manufacturing plant in Russia. First unveiled as a Solaris concept car at the 2010 Moscow auto show, the all-new Solaris boasts Hyundai's eye-catching "fluidic sculpture" design and up-to-date safety features.

The vehicle is propelled by the automaker's upgraded 1.4L and 1.6L Gamma engines and features several adaptations to suit the Russia's weather conditions and roads. For example, the all-new Hyundai Solaris rides 160mm above the ground and features a larger-than-average four-liter washer fluid reservoir with fluid-level sensor to warn drivers when a refill is required.

In addition, the model is equipped with a robust 60Ah battery for improved cold-start performance and a heater duct for rear-seat passengers.

The all-new Hyundai Solaris sub-compact sedan, which is also known as the Hyundai Accent in the States, is built at Hyundai's Russian assembly plant, which currently employs around 1.300 workers. The plant is equipped with the latest assembly technology, which provides a high level of automation in the car production process.

While this year, Hyundai aims to produce 105.000 units of new Solaris in Russia, the plant is capable of producing 150.000 units per year. Currently, the Solaris is only available as a four-door sedan, but soon, it'll be joined by a five-door hatchback. Once the five-door Solaris hits production, Hyundai will increase the number of produced vehicles to 150.000 units per year.

Gui-Il Chun, General Director of HMMR, a fully-owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, told to the press: "This is a historic moment, not only for Hyundai, but for Russia as well, as we are the first foreign automaker to operate a full-cycle manufacturing plant here.

Officially official: Hyundai Veloster 2012 Model Year

2011-01-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

Hyundai launches its long-anticipated Veloster Coupe at the 2011 North American Auto Show!

The all-new Hyundai Veloster 2012 features unique styling. The model features unique third-door for easy entry to the rear seats. The all-new Veloster is powered by Hyundai's all-new 1.6L GDI four-cylinder engine which churns out 138 horsepower at 6.300 rpm and 123 pound-feet of torque at 4,850 rpm.It is also equipped with Hyundai's first dual-clutch automatic gearbox!

Here are some Veloster coupe highlights as stated by Hyundai Motor Company:

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2012 VELOSTER

- unique 3-door coupe design
- Coupe design with the functionality of a hatch and a passenger-side forward-hinged rear door
- All-new 1.6-liter GDI Gamma engine
- six-speed manual transmission and Hyundai's first dual-clutch transmission
- 40 mpg highway (estimated)
- Standard multi-function seven-inch touch-screen display
- Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with voice recognition
- Standard Blue Link telematics platform
- Blue Link Assurance provides a free introductory period of complementary core safety services including Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) and Assistance, SOS Emergency Assistance, and Enhanced Roadside Assistance.

- Blue Link Essentials provides Voice Text Messaging, Remote Door Unlock / Lock, Remote Horn & Lights, Panic Notification, Remote Vehicle Start, Alarm Notification, Quick Tips, Location Sharing, Automated Diagnostic Trouble Code Notification, Maintenance Alert, Monthly Vehicle Report, Recall Advisor, Web Vehicle Diagnostics, Stolen Vehicle Recovery, Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, Vehicle Immobilization, Valet Alert, Geofence, Speed Alert, Curfew

Hyundai Veloster 2012 is the sixth vehicle in Hyundai's 24-7 version 2.0 product initiative which means the automaker plans to launch seven new models in 24 months. So far, Hyundai has already released the 2011 Tucson, Sonata sedan, Elantra compact car and Equus flagship sedan. The all-new Accent is going to be next Hyundai launch.

Hyundai Curb concept car

2011-01-06T11:56:00.001-08:00

Hyundai plans to unveil the Curb concept car at the 2011 North American Auto Show next week.

The South Korean carmaker today released two teaser images previewing the side profile of the car's body and interior layout. In our humble opinion, the Curb concept represents Hyundai's desire to enter the untapped mini-crossover vehicle, which is currently dominated by Nissan Juke and a similar, but overpriced, vehicle from Mini.

We have no details about the Curb's powertrain technology, but we believe it uses Hyundai's "Blue Drive" powertrain technology, which means its either powered by Hyundai's advanced electric hybrid system or it could also run on electricity alone.

The Curb concept car will be making its official US premiere at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, which kicks off on Monday. Stay tuned for the full NAIAS auto show coverage and more official images and information of the new Hyundai Curb concept vehicle!

Hyundai Curb concept interior:

Korean market: 2011 new car releases

2011-01-05T12:09:00.000-08:00

Korean carmakers, as well as major International automakers plan to launch as much as 20 new cars in South Korea by the end of 2011!

To tempt South Korean consumers, Korean carmakers plant to launch a slew of new models this year. According to Chosunilbo, some 20 new car models will be introduced by domestic carmakers, while rivaling automobile brands plan to import as much as 50 models by the end of the year!

Let's take a look at some of the most important new Korean cars highlights:

Hyundai will launch the all-new Grandeur near-luxury sedan in January. The all-new Grandeur features completely redesigned exterior design, more luxorious interior, improved safety and state-of-the-art powertrain technology. The 2011 Grandeur is ready to chalenge the imports such as BMW 5-series or Audi A6.

Kia will launch its new Morning mini-car. The new model will go on sale in the first quarter of the year. It will make its official premiere at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show.

Hyundai Veloster, a unique three-door sports car, is slated to hit Korean market in February. It will achieve 40 mpg and will feature Hyundai's new six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

Ssangyong will unveil the Korando C crossover, while Chevrolet will launch Orlando MPV and Camaro sports car in March 2011. Following the two will be the Chevrolet Winstorm SUV facelift and Corvette sports car.

Renault-Samsung has a facelifted QM5 on its hands. The model will hit the market in July 2011.

The ChosunIlbo claims that Kia is planing a surprising unveiling of a new box-car, smaller than Soul crossover. We have no details about the vehicle at this moment, however, sources close to Kia state the upcoming mini-car is modeled after Japanese box-type compacts such as the Daihatsu Tanto!

2012 Hyundai Veloster coupe teaser image reveals funky third door !

2011-01-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

Hyundai today released the second teaser image of its all-new Veloster Coupe. Set to make its official premiere at the 2011 NAIAS next week, the funky looking sports coupe will replace the popular Hyundai Tiburon, which has been axed from the automakers US line-up more than one year ago.

As seen on the teaser image, the new Veloster features two front doors and one (!) rear door positioned on the right side. If you thought this is the only vehicle currently on sale with such a provocative door design, let me tell you you're wrong! There's a already three-door Mini Clubman on sale in Europe!

Although the overall styling layout of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster seems promising, we are pretty that the third-door will split the automobile enthusiasts to those who like'it and those who don't like'it.

In addition to uniqe styling approach, Hyundai Veloster will be the first new car from Hyundai Motor Company fitted with the six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission! The Veloster will also feature 40-mpg 1.6L gasoline direct injection -GDI engine and Bluetooth connectivity.

Hyundai Veloster release date is scheduled for Detroit Motor Show next week, while sales are expected to commence in the second half of 2011. Stay tuned for more details!

2011 Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group sales expected to rise 10 percent

2011-01-03T11:31:00.000-08:00

Hyundai Motor Company, together with its affiliate Kia Motors, aims to boost the 2011 new car sales by as much as 10 percent!

Hyundai revealed yesterday that it plans to sell 6.33 million new cars in 2011, up 10 percent from 5.75 million units sold in 2010. To find the new growth, the South Korean carmaker plans to debut at least 12 new vehicles this year, including the Veloster sports car, which is scheduled to make its official premiere at the 2011 North American International Auto Show.

Hyundai will also introduce the all-new Azera sedan, which is also known as Hyundai Grandeur in the South Korean market and a brand-new MPV model. While there are no other details about other up-coming Hyundai products, we do have some information about the 2011 Kia releases.

The second largest Korean carmaker will roll out its entry-level Picanto minicar this year, as well as next generation Kia Rio. Kia will also debut a new minivan model, which will make its premiere at the 2011 NAIAS next month.

Upcoming new models will help Hyundai and Kia to do well in overseas markets, while global car demand will likely remain healthy, said one of the analytics working in the automobile industry. You can expect to see Hyundai to grow its sales further and challenge the Renault-Nissan alliance to take the place as the fourth largest carmaker in the world.

2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to get more horsepower and mild facelift

2010-12-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

Hyundai's first real sports car, which brings the power to its rear wheels, the Genesis Coupe, is getting a mild facelift for the 2012 model year. The facelift will affect the car's front fascia, which will incorporate slightly redesigned set of head-lights, as well as some minor styling updates on the bumper.

According to some rumors, the 2012 Genesis Coupe will also receive a horsepower increase. The 2.0L Turbo engine, which is currently available in the US-specs Gen Coupe, will be replaced by a new powerplant.

It is believed that the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe will get a 2.0L turbo engine from 2011 Sonata Turbo. If this comes true, the entry-level 2012 Genesis Coupe will feature 274 horsepower and achieve the segment's best fuel economy at the same time.

With the introduction of the new 2.0L turbo engine, Hyundai will probaby increase the power of its 3.6L V6, which is also available in the current Genesis Coupe model. The 3.6L V6 will get the GDI technology, which will result in more power and better torque numbers. Expect the 2012 Genesis Coupe V6 to pack somewhere close to 350 horsepower.

Hyundai Breaks Ground For Its Third China Plant

2010-12-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

With its sales rising fast, Hyundai needs more capacity to increase production of its cars destined for fast growing China market. Recently, the automaker held a groundbraking ceremony for a new manufacturing plant, which will have an annual capacity of 400.000 vehicles.

The all-new factory is scheduled to begin operating in July 2012. Once this happens, Hyundai will be able to build 1 million cars in China each year. Those not familiar with the current situation, Hyundai already operates two manufacturing plants in China. Each of them can build up to 300.000 units each year.

The carmaker's third China plant is scheduled to produce small and mid-size vehicles specifically designed for the Chinese market starting from the second half of 2012, with plans to gradually expand its model lineup depending on demand. Hyundai has yet to release official information about new models that it plans to build at its new plant.

Through the 2010 Hyundai cars have been selling well in China market, particularly Elantra sedan, which has been the carmaker's best-selling nameplate. So far this year, Hyundai sold 569.787 new vehicles in China and its sales are expected to exceed 690.000 units by the end of 2010.

New Hyundai car releases in 2011

2010-12-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

Recently, we obtained some relatively fresh information about Hyundai's 2011 releases. The South Korean largest carmaker plans to release several new and updated vehicles in 2011 in order to gains sales at its home Korean market as well as Internationally.

In the first half of 2011 Hyundai will launch two important vehicles. The long-awaited Grandeur HG, which will replace the Azera is slated to go on sale in Korea at the beginning of 2011. The all-new Grandeur HG, known also as Hyundai Azera in the States, will be the very-first from a Korean carmaker to be fitted with advanced smart cruise control system, which automatically regulates speed and distance with the vehicle in front. The system is also able to halt and restart the vehicle if the distance with the vehicle in front is suddenly reduced.

The Grandeur will be followed by an entry level sports coupe. First previewed as a Veloster concept car two years ago, the all-new FWD sports car, codenamed FS, is expected to make its official premiere at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show.

At the end of the 2011, Hyundai also plans to introduce the facelifted version of its Genesis Coupe which will receive slight styling makeover and powertrain upgrade. The 2.0L Turbo engine, which is available in the Genesis Coupe today is rumored to be replaced by Hyundai's brand-new 2.0L Turbo GDI engine, which already propels Sonata Turbo. The engine features gasoline direct injection technology and generates impressive 274 horsepower.

A slightly updated Gensis sedan is also expected to appear at Hyundai stores towards the end of the year. In addition, Hyundai also plans to reveal at least two concept cars in 2011.

Hyundai beatsToyota in terms of new car sales in Europe

2010-11-21T13:09:00.000-08:00

Hyundai Motor Company sold more new cars in the European market than Toyota, during the first eight months of the year. In October, Hyundai and Kia sales combined topped 47,741 units, taking up 4.5 percent of the European auto market, while Toyota managed to sell 46,500 new vehicles for a 4.4 percent market share.

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors saw its accumulated sales through October rise 3,8 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively, from a year earlier, but Toyotass salesdecreased 16,5% over the same period of time.

During the first ten months of the year, Hyundai and Kia sold 521,369 units in Europe, while Toyota sold about 10.000 units less vehicles (511,754 units).

According to Koreaherald.co.kr, the Volkswagen Group dominates the European new car market with a 21.4 percent share. It is followed by PSA (Peugeot Citroen), which holds 13.4 percent market share and Renault SA with a 10.2 percent share.

The PGA TOUR Season-Opening Event Gets a New Title Sponsor: Hyundai

2010-11-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

Hyundai has done it again. It announced early this month that it has just closed a deal as the title sponsor for the next three years of the season-opening tournament of the PGA TOUR at The Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii in January 2011.

Hyundai Motor America has joined hands with the PGA TOUR and Seoul Broadcasting System International (SBS) for this global sporting event.

This is another big international spectacle that shall bear the name of Hyundai. The world cannot help but take notice. This is in line with Hyundai’s advertising strategy, which is called “Big Voices in Big Places”, targeting major international events and advertising venues such as the NFL Super Bowl, the Academy Awards where it landed an exclusive automotive sponsorship, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ as a global sponsor.

After a series of talks with the PGA TOUR and SBS, Hyundai was delighted with the three-way cooperation and finally sealed the partnership with both as the title sponsor of the tournament.

As agreed upon with PGA TOUR, the tournament that shall commence in 2011 shall be called the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. The moniker “Tournament of Champions” is the event’s original title, because the competition is exclusively for past tournament winners.

“Hyundai’s title sponsorship of the PGA TOUR’s traditional season-opening tournament aligns our brand with world-class athletes who mirror our own competitive drive,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America’s CEO and president. “This sponsorship ensures that every champion at the tournament will arrive in luxury, and the fans that follow the sport will be exposed to an all-new interpretation of intelligent luxury, the Hyundai Equus.”

The first Tournament of Champions was held at the Desert Inn Country Club in Las Vegas in 1953 until 1967. It then moved to Stardust Country Club in Clark County and then to La Costa Country Club in Carlsbad, California in 1969. After 30 years, the tournament made its way to picturesque Kapalua, Hawaii beginning in 1999.

PGA TOUR is excited to begin work with its new partner. According to Tim Finchem, PGA TOUR Commissioner, “We are delighted to welcome Hyundai to the PGA TOUR family. In our discussions, Hyundai expressed interest in continuing its brand momentum throughout the U.S., as well as further strengthening its position in Asia. This title sponsorship will help accomplish these goals.”

Now working hand-in-hand with Hyundai, SBS was the former title sponsor of the event and will continue to take a significant part, primarily because it has signed a 10-year sponsorship agreement with the tournament in May 2009. This means SBS shall provide its services through 2019, which include PGA TOUR broadcasts in Korea and on-site activities.

SBS has broadcasted the PGA TOUR tournaments in Korea for more than 15 years, and nine more years to come.

Golf lovers and aficionados are looking forward to the 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions that will happen on January 3 through January 9, 2011. All eyes are on Geoff Ogilvy, the two-time defending champion from Australia who has vowed to make a three-peat.

Feel free to read more about Hyundai Motor Company at our Hyundai fan website!

Hyundai Elantra 2011 unveiled at Los Angeles Auto Show

2010-11-18T11:15:00.000-08:00

Hyundai unveils new Elantra compact sedan at the on-going auto show in Los Angeles.

Hyundai Elantra 2011 will hit the dealerships in the States shortly after its official unveiling. If you're planning to buy a new compact car, you should definitely wait a month or two and take it for a spin.

Hyundai says the all-new Elantra encompasses the automaker's latest ambitions including "Fluidic Sculpture" design, advanced safety and powertrain technology and fuel efficiency.

Under the hood, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra features the carmaker's latest four-cylinder engine with displacement of 1.8L. Codenamed Nu, the 1.8L four-cyl. unit produces 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. The engine, which weighs 74 pounds less than the one it replaces, is mated to Hyundai's brand new six-speed automatic gearbox, which also available in the 2011 Sonata sedan and 2011 Santa Fe SUV.

The new model has grown in size; its overall length has increased by 0.9 inches to 178.3 inches, while the width remained the same as with with previous generation (69.9-inch). According to Hyundai, the height has been lowered by 1.8 inches to 56.5 inches, without affecting headroom.

In addition to offering a modern design and advanced powertrain technology, the Elantra also offers luxury features such as touch-screen navigation, rear-view camera, and iPod and USB inputs, heated rear seats, hands-free phone system with voice recognition and many others.

Pricing for the Elantra 2011 starts $14,830 for the base GLS model and ends $21,980 for the range-topping Premium model. [Source: Hyundai-blog.com]

Hyundai Grandeur/Azera 2012 image renderings

2010-11-17T08:39:00.000-08:00

Hyundai introduces the up-coming Grandeur / Azera with the release of the very first official teaser shots.

Codenamed GH, the 2012 Grandeur (known also as Azera in the markets outside Korea) is scheduled to go on sale in South Korea at the beginning of 2011. According to Hyundai, the all-new Grandeur will be vastly improved in comparison to the current model as it will feature completely new exterior and interior design, as well as more modern powertrain technology.

The automaker has yet to reveal more details about the engine line-up of the new Grandeur, however, some websites like Hyundai Blog alreadyrevealed there will be four available engines when the model goes on sale.
The most powerful of all will be the 3.3L V6 with 286 horsepower, while the base engine will be a four-cylindwer unit that produces 201 horsepowr. A 3.0L LPI engine will also be available says Hyundai Blog, which provides more details and information about the forth-coming 2012 Hyundai Grandeur.

Hyundai will release more details about the new Azera/Grandeur within a month or two. Sales are expected to commence early in 2011.

Hyundai Sonata wins the 2010 Middle East Motor Award

2010-10-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

The highly apraised Hyundai Sonata, which has already received numerous awards in the USA has recently received the MIDDLE EAST MOTOR AWARD 2010 as the best mid-size sedan in the segment.

The all-new Sonata underwent through several road and track tests as well as comprehensive competitor comparisons. Sonata bested all competing cars including the Honda Accord, Ford Taurus and Nissan Altima. According to judges of the 2010 Middle East Motor Awards, the Sonata provides superior performance, safety and technology than all of the afforementioned vehicles.

As well as in the States, where Sonata has experienced a high demand from consumers, it has also earned a steady recognition in the Middle East. Sonata sales in the Middle East have never been so high, says Hyundai. Its sales from Januar to September 2010 have grown up 103 percent compared to the same period of previous year!

The 2011 Sonata sedan has only been on sale in the Middle East since the beginning of the year and the popular mid-size model already won the Car of the Year title from Sports Auto and Gulf Auto magazines. Two months aof, the Sonata and Tucson crossover also received the Car of the Year awards from Syria-based Auto Sports publication.

Hyundai i20 rival: the all-new Chevrolet Aveo sub-compact car

2010-10-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

Hyundai i20 is finally getting a decent competitor from Chevrolet. The all-new Aveo sub-compact car set to make its official debut in Korea.

The all-new Chevrolet Aveo sub-compact car just made its official premiere at the auto show in Paris and it is now heading towards Asian markets. According to GM Daewoo, the 2011 Aveo will hit the South Korean market in the first half of 2011 and other Asian markets in the second half of next year.

The company has already announced it plans to introduce the Chevrolet brand in South Korea and the new Aveo sub-compact car will be the first vehicle to wear the Chevy badging. Later next year, the new Aveo will be joined by Chevrolet Camaro, which has been on sale in the U.S. market for quite some time now.

GM Daewoo plans to introduce several other new models to compete against Hyundai and Kia brands in Korea. Both carmakers together hold more than 50 percent new car market share. By introducing new brand and new models in its domestic market, GM Daewoo forecasts that its new car sales will increase by around 10 percent.

Hyundai cars at the 2010 Paris Auto Show

2010-10-05T06:59:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor Company, the fastest growing automaker in the world, has used the 2010 Paris Auto Show to showcase some new production models, which are slated to go on sale in Europe within a month or two. The carmaker also presented a hybrid ix35 concept car, which previews Hyundai's upcoming mild-hybrid-car powertrain technology.

Making its global public premiere in Paris was the 2011 Hyundai i10 mini-car, which is built at Hyundai's manufacturing plant in Europe. The entry-level i10 received a mid-cycle facelift for the 2011 model year and some powertrain upgrades.

The new i10 features updated front fascia, slightly revised taillamps and new entry-level 1.0L four-cylinde engine. The existing 1.2L Kappa engine has been updated as well and now boasts 2 more horsepower and more torque. It is also quieter and more eco-friendly, says Hyundai.

Another new production model made its official unveiling at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. The all-new ix20 mini-MPV, which is based on Kia Venga MPV will go on sale by the end of the year. The 2011 ix20 will be available with a wide range of four-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines and will be marketed exclusively in Europe.

Put on display alongside new i10 facelift and ix20 MPV were Hyundai Genesis sedan and Genesis Coupe RWD. Both models are, reportedly, coming to Europe. Sales are scheduled to commence in the first half of 2011. While the 2011 Genesis Coupe will only be available with Hyundai's 3.8V6 engine in Europe, Genesis sedan is also rumored to get a 3.0L diesel engine, which can also be found in the ix55 crossover - known as Hyundai Veracruz in the U.S. market.

The afore-mentioned Hyundai ix35 mild hybrid previews the automaker's vision of affordable hybrid crossover vehicle, which is, at the same time, also eco-friendly. Described as a "mild hybrid crossover vehicle", the ix35 utilizes Hyundai's new 1.7L U2 diesel engine, "Idle Stop & Go" technology and a 5kw electric motor.

In addition, Hyundai also showcased its range of Blue models, which are already on sale in some European countries.

Hyundai BlueOn

2010-09-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hyundai today unveiled its first-ever production-ready electric car in Korea. Called BlueOn, the vehicle displays Hyundai's latest electric-cars technology. As already reported, Hyundai already officially announced it wants to become one of the leading car makers producing electric cars.

This is their very first step into the fast growing segment. Although many people say the South Korean carmaker is late to the game, but Hyundai is confident it can join the race late, but when it does, it comes well prepared. Hyundai BlueOn is not the very first mini-car, powered by electricity, on the market, but it's definitely one of the best ones.

It uses Li-poly battery pack and many other highly advanced technical features. With the top speed of 130 km/h and 81 raw horsepower, the BlueOn electric vehicle out-performs its major rival, the I-MiEV from Mitsubishi. It can do arounf 140 kilometers on a single chahrge, which is a respectable achievement. So, kudos to Hyundai for bringing this highly advance electric vehicle to the market.

The automaker says it will start building the BlueOn electric vehicle next year. The model will first be available in 2,500 units only, says Hyundai, but production will expand later in the year and in 2013. But this is only the beginning. Hyundai will, together with its sister company Kia Motors unveil its very-first mid-size electric car in 2012. Its serial production is rumored to commence in late 2013 or early 2014.

Read more Hyundai news here.

GM Daewoo plans to attack Hyundai-Kia with 8 new models

2010-09-04T04:36:00.000-07:00

Hyundai's facing stiffer competition on its local car market. GM-Daewoo plans 8 new models for next 12 months.

GM-Daewoo announced it plans to unveil 8 new models in Korea over the span of next 12 months. The third-largest Korean carmaker is planning to completely renew its current model line-up, which consists of eight passenger cars and two commercial vehicles.

The automaker will invest more than $5 billion to renew and launch 8 new models. With this huge investment, GM-Daewoo wants to lift its sales by 20 percent and push up its domestic market share into double digits this year.

The South Korean carmaker will launch new Alpheon sedan, rebadged Chevrolet Orlando and a completely new small hatchback model that will replace the current Gentra X. It will also unveil a revamped mid-size sedan, replacing Daewoo Tosca, new Lacetti Premiere and Winstorm crossover vehicle.

The legendary Chevrolet Camaro, already on sale in the U.S. market, is also expected to hit the Korean shores. GM Daewoo plans to start selling the rear-wheel-drive sports car in Korea sometime next year.

At the up-coming Paris Auto Show, Chevrolet is going to unveil a new 5-door Cruze hatchback. The more pracical model to the four-door sedan will also appear in Korean showrooms soon, according to GM-Daewoo.

The above-mentioned plan could hurt Hyundai sales, but the South Korean largest automaker has an answer, and that is, launching new cars as well. There are new Veloster, Elantra, Sonata hybrid and Azera mid-size sedan waiting to hit the market within a few months. So, let's the game begin.

Hyundai Accent RB concept car unveiled at the 2010 Moscow Auto Show

2010-08-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hyundai reveals stunning sub-compact concept sedan called Hyundai Accent RB!

Hyundai continues its market onslaught with new production and concept cars. Today, the South Korean largest carmaker unveiled its latest concept car named Accent RB. The model made its official premiere on the opening day of the 2010 Moscow International Auto Show.

The represents vision of the automaker's upcoming sub-compact car, which will hit the roads early next year. The RB concept car features attractive exterior design influenced by Hyundai's latest design philosophy called "Fluidic Sculpture". It also takes some styling cues from its bigger brother, the 2011 Sonata sedan.

The concept car looks really impressive thanks to its large hexagonal front grill, L-shaped fog lamps and attractively styled headlamps. At rear, the Accent RB concept features dual tail-pipes and LED tail-lights. Large 18-inch alloys wheels are rounding up the luxurious and exquisite appearance of the concept vehicle.

Production of the new Accent is not far away, says Hyundai. The 2011 Accent is expected is expected to hit the roads (in Russia) in spring next year, while US sales are rumored to commence in the first half of 2011. When the model hits the showroom-floor, it will be available with 1.4L and 1.6L four-cylinder engines with power output ranging from 109 to 124 horsepower. Manual or automatic transmissions are both available.

Hyundai Accent RB images:

Record-high May 2010 new car sales for Hyundai

2010-06-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hyundai announces record high May sales, with new Sonata breaking its monthly sales record!

Hyundai Motor Company announced its sales have jumped 33 percent in May 2010, compared to the same month a year earlier. The South Korean largest carmaker sold 49,045 new cars and SUVs in the US market last month, while in the first five months it has sold a total of 204,577 new vehicles.

The most popular Hyundai model in May 2010 was again the hot-looking Sonata sedan, which experienced a 33 percent growth in sales compared to last year. Hyundai delivered more than 21 thousand units of its brand-new Sonata sedan to customers across the USA.

Other Hyundai models that also achieved higher sales than in May last year include Santa Fe SUV with more than 6.000 units sold, Elantra with sales above 9.000 units and Tucson crossover, which saw its sales grow incredible 227 per-cent to 4,395 units. Hyundai Genesis sedan also posted sales gain of 27 percent for a total of 2,480 units.

In the first five months of fiscal year, Hyundai Motor America sold 204,577 units, which represents an increase of 23 percent increase compared to last year.

Early picture of 2011 Ssangyong Korando C hits the web

2010-06-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

We were sent some early shots of new Ssangyong Korando C crossover. Codenamed C200, the Korando C was first previewed as a futuristic concept car at the 2008 Pars Auto Show. The hot-looking crossover model previewed the upcoming production model, which was announced to compete against established compact nameplates, such as Toyota Rav4, Hyundai Tucson and VW Tiguan.

Called the Korando C, the model will be the first Ssangyong vehicle to feature a monocoque body. It is said to be available with a brand-new 2.0L diesel engine that generates 181 horsepower. According to the company, the all-new four-cyl. diesel engine is environment-friendly and satisfies EURO V environmental regulations. Two six-speed transmissions (manual and automatic) will also be offered across the range along with a plethora of safety and luxury features.

The official launch date for the Ssangyong Korando C crossover has not been finalized yet, but our sources state that the automaker will put the new model into production in July and commence its sales in South Korea in the third quarter of the year.

Meanwhile, Ssangyong Motor Company announced today that its May 2010 sales ( domestic sales and exports ) jumped by 145 percent from a year ago to come in at 7,028 units. This was the second consecutive month when the troubled automaker sold more than 7,000 new cars.

Much of Ssangyong's rise was fueled by overseas sales which increased by more than 600 percent to about 4,300 units last month. Hyundai's domestic sales, on the other hand, fell more than 20 percent in May 2010.

Hyundai Montgomery plant to produce more Sonatas

2010-05-20T11:22:00.000-07:00

New Hyundai Sonata sales are heating up!!

New Hyundai Sonata sedan, which went on sale in February this year, is so popular that Hyundai is having problems keeping up to build enough vehicles to satisfy the demand. The automaker has recently announced it will move production of Santa Fe SUV from its Montgomery manufacturing plant to West Point Georgia, where Kia Motors produces Sorento crossover.

Hyundai Sonata sales have increased more than 50 percent to over 18.000 units for the second month in a row and Hyundai workers at the plant have been working extended hours to produce enough Sonata sedans.

With the demand so high, it is very likely that the plant will need to remain on extended hours for the next few months.

According to top Hyundai official, the automaker expected the redesigned Sonata to sell well, but intial demand has them all. Sonata is setting record-high sales and Hyundai could sell even more cars if they could increase the supply. Unfortunatelly, Sonata's production is limited to around 200.000 vehicles per year.

"Demand is clearly above what we can supply at the Montgomery plant," Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik said recently.

Hyundai mulls new engine plant

2010-05-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Hyundai reports it has concluded a feasibility study on a new diesel engine plant in India about three months ago. According to the study, it would costHyundai around 550 million dollars to set up the plant with an annual capacity of 300.000 diesel engines.

According to Hyundai, the momentum towards a diesel engine plant in India is increasing now, as the automaker is planning to unveil a diesel powered i10 hatchback to counter emerging competition.

The i10 crdi would compete against just recently launched Ford Figo, which has achieved some good sales since launched a few weeks ago. The Figo is also available with diesel engine, so Hyundai has to respond in order not to loose customers looking for small fuel efficient cars with diesel engines.

Currently Hyundai builds gasoline powered i10 models in India, while those powered by 1.1L crdi diesel engine are imported from South Korea. Last year, Hyundai produced 270.000 units of i10 hatchback, both petrol and diesel put together. Out of those number, 149.000 units were sold in India. All i10' were equiped with petrol engines, while diesel variants were exported mainly to Europe.

Read more Hyundai news hee.

GM Daewoo sells 191 Cadilacs in South Korea

2010-04-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

GM Korea, the third largest automaker in South Korea after Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors revealed yesterday that sales of Cadilac cars during the first quarter of 2010 have risen to 191 units. The number represents an increase of more than 100 percent compared to the first quarter of 2009.

During the month of March 73 new Cadillacs were sold in Korea, marking an increase of 92 percent from the same month last year, the automaker said.

The company attributed the increase to the launch of new vehicles and the expansion of its retail network. Two new showrooms were opened in Seoul and Daejeon during the second half of last year, and GM Korea signed A&G Motors on as a new dealer in December.

According to the statement, GM Daewoo plans to open another showroom in southern Seoul in the second half of 2010 to further strengthen its sales network and increase its sales to more than 100 vehicles per month. [Source: Koreaherald]

Read more about Sonata sales here.

2010-04-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

The fourth largest carmaker in Korea, the Renault-Samsung Motors announced that its first quarter car exports rose to a new record.

The automaker revealed it has exported more than 22.400 new vehicles during the first quarter of the year, beating previous record set in September 2000.

Export figures have increased 171 percent compared to last year and the outlook for the next three months is good as well announced the company.

According to the statement, some cars have been sold overseas under the Renault and Nissan nameplates and that has helped the automaker quite a lot. Since Renault-Samsung began exporting vehicles in significant volumes back in 2006 with the compact car SM3, its exports have increased steadily. Exports now account for 48 percent of overall new car sales.

The fact that the sales of Renault-Samsung cars are increasing shows that the automaker has built an attractive vehicle line-up and also that the company has gained the confidence among consumers overseas.

Renault-Samsung is the fourth largest automaker in South Korea after Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors and GM Daewoo.

Hyundai to launch new small car in India

2010-03-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor India to launch new small car in India...

According to Senior General Manager at Hyundai Motor India, Mr. Lee, the Korean largest car maker is going to launch an all-new mini-car in India next year. The development of yet un-named mini-car is in the final phase with final design already completed.

Information on this brand-new model so far are slim, but we have found out that the automaker will use a highly sophisticated 0.8L three-cylinder gasoline engine to power the vehicle.

Initially, the new model will be marketed exclusively for Indian market, according to Hyundai representative, but it is very likely that the company will also begin shipping the model to various international markets, including China, South Korea, Middle East and Europe.

The new product is scheduled to make its official premiere in the first half of 2011, while first production models are expected to hit the Indian roads in the second half of 2011. Pricing and other specifications of this new Hyundai car will be announced closer to its release date.

Hyundai tops Japanese automakers in brand loyalty

2010-03-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Brand loyalty for Hyundai recently surpassed that of Honda and replaced Toyota, allowing Hyundai to take the No. 1 spot among car shoppers, according to the latest Kelley Blue Book's Market Intelligence data.

Up from third place in Q4 2009, Hyundai saw the greatest increase in loyalty in February 2010, with Hyundai owners looking at new models within the brand increasing by 10.4 percentage points to 56.3 percent.

Furthermore, according to Kelley Blue Book Values data, throughout the month of February 2010 Hyundai outperformed the overall car segment average by a healthy margin. Hyundai values increased 2 percent month-over-month, relative to a 0.3 percent increase for the entire car segment.

"A large part of Hyundai's momentum is a result of introducing passionate new products like the 2011 Sonata and 2010 Tucson," said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "To sustain this momentum, Hyundai should continue to promote its attractive new-vehicle lineup, solid warranty offer and strong price-points to new-car shoppers."

In addition to topping brand loyalty, the all-new 2011 Sonata was named to kbb.com's Top 10 Most-Researched New Vehicles list for the first time. In February, the Sonata was the fifth most-researched new car on kbb.com alongside 'Top 10 Most-Researched' mainstays such as Accord, Civic, Camry and CR-V.

"2009 marked an unprecedented year for the Hyundai brand and we are well poised to keep the momentum going in 2010," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "With impressive new vehicles like the all-new Sonata and our dedication to deliver stylish, fuel efficient and affordable vehicles, more customers are adding Hyundai models to their shopping lists." [Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai to display 8 new vehicles at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show

2010-02-25T06:37:00.000-08:00

Geneva Auto Show is the largest auto show in Europe and one of the most important motor show events in the world. The auto show gets plenty of publicity from worldwide automotive media, plus, each year thousands of visitors from all Europe visit the show to see all the latest car creations. A reason enough for major automakers, such as Hyundai and Kia to put on display a range of new production models and concept cars.

This year, Hyundai will display 8 new production and concept cars in Geneva. The major star of the event will be the i-flow concept car, a vehicle that not only previews the automaker's future D-segment vehicle, but also showcases new embodmient of Hyundai's new styling direction.

Joining the i-flow concept car will be a range of "Blue" badged production models that feature innovative technologies such as start-stop system and low-rolling resistance tires. All "Blue" models, the i10, i20 and i30 leave to air less than 100g of CO2 per one kilometer!

Hyundai will also unveil a slightly redesigned i30U, which will receive some minor styling updates and engine enhancements to make the car even more eco-friendly. The all-new i30U will go on sale across Europe shortly after the show. Hyundai will commence its mass production in March.

Another exciting model that is scheduled to debut in Geneva is an ix35 fuel cell electric vehicle. It's still in the concept form, but its low volume serial production is closer than ever. Hyundai will launch the ix35 FCEV already in 2012. According to the automaker, the ix35 FCEV features several important innovations and improvements over the previous generation Tucson FCEV.

Hyundai to shift part of i20 production from India to Europe

2010-02-22T06:16:00.000-08:00

Hyundai shifts a part of i20 production from India to Europe.

Hyundai Motor Company decided to shift part of its compact i20 car production from India to Europe. The Korean carmaker operates a production plant in Czech Republic, however Hyundai announced it will shift i20 production to its other European plant, located in Turkey.

The i20 production is shifted to Europe due to an increased demand from European consumers.

According to Arvind Saxena, director at Hyundai Motor India, the European demand for Hyundai i20 is growing and it is not possible for the company to supply enough cars from one plant alone. Therefore, Hyundai decided to shift a certain part of the i20 production to Turkey.

Hyundai expects to sell 40.000 units of i20 hatchback in Europe during the next 12 months, while sales is expected to increase to 70.000 units in 2011.

By relocating a part of i20 production from India, Hyundai will free up capacity for the all-new small car, which is currently still under development. The new model is said to be smaller and cheaper than the current i10 hatchback.

According to Arvind Saxena, the all-new small car from Hyundai is still in the early process of car development, so it will take the company at least a year and a half before it can bring it to the market. [Source: calcuttanews.net]

Hyundai India reports 42 percent increase in January sales

2010-02-01T03:47:00.000-08:00

Hyundai Motor Company, the second largest car producer in India and the fourth largest automaker in the world, announced it has produced and sold 52.635 new vehicles in India during the first month of 2010.

Compared to last year's figures, Hyundai's January sales have increased 42 percent to more than 50.000 units. At the same time a year earlier, Hyundai sold 37.171 vehicles in India.

Among all new vehicles, produced by Hyundai in January, 29.601 units were sold to domestic consumers, while 23.034 units were exported to international markets, including Europe, Middle East, Australia and other.

With sales of more than 47.000 units, Hyundai i20, i10 and Santro hatch were the most popular Hyundai models in the range. The second best selling model was Hyundai Accent with sales of more than 5.000 units.

Arvind Saxena, Marketing and Sales director at Hyundai Motor India, said that Hyundai started the year on a right note. He also believes the momentum will continue through the year with the help of the stimulus package offered by the Indian government.

Subaru plans to start selling cars in South Korea

2010-01-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

The sixth largest carmaker in Japan, the Subaru announced it will start selling its cars in South Korean market in April. A subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries, which was founded back in 1958, will be operated by Subaru Korea.

At the beginning, the company will offer three vehicles including the Legacy mid-size sedan, Outback crossover vehicle and Forester SUV. The company revealed it plans to secure dealerships with maintenance capabilities in the major cities such as Seoul, Busan, Gwangju and Bundang, while later it may expand to other smaller cities.

Sales projections for the first year have been set at a very modest 600 units. Out of 600 vehicles sold, half are set aside for the sedan, and the remainder is divided equally between the Forester SUV and Outback crossover.

Prices have not been released yet and will be announced closer to the launching date set for April 2010.

With every new entry onto Korean market, Hyundai is facing stronger competition. Yet, the Korean largest automaker is confident it can retain more than 50 percent market share in 2010.

P.S. Mitsubishi ASX, which has made its unofficial debut yesterday, is rumored to enter Korean auto market sometime next year to challenge Hyundai's new Tucson and Kia's upcoming Sportage replacement.

Mitsubishi ASX to debut in Geneva

2010-01-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

Mitsubishi crossover SUV to challenge Hyundai's new Tucson!

Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi is set to unveil its all-new ASX crossover vehicle at the forth-coming Geneva Auto Show. The ASX crossover vehicle is already on sale in Japan, but now the automaker will bring it to Europe take some buyers away from Hyundai, VW, Ford and Toyota.

The ASX crossover is a five-seat, compact crossover, which is about the same length as new Hyundai Tucson. With the length of 4.3 meters, the model is slotted below the Outlander SUV in the Mitsubishi line-up.

The guys from Mitsubishi did not release many details on their new crossover, but they did mention that the European-spec ASX will be available with 1.8L four-cylinder diesel engine. The 1.8L turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine is said to be developed in conjunction by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and MMC. Mated to Mitsubishi's 6-speed manual transmission, this combination is expected to provide high environmental efficiency.

According to official press release, released today, the ASX will also be equipped with eco-friendly "Automatic Stop & Go" technology.

The all-new Mitsubishi ASX sure does look interesting at first glance, but to get to know more details about this vehicle, we will have to wait until its official spring introduction. [Source: Mitsubishi]

Mitsubishi ASX gallery:

Hyundai becomes the largest car seller in Turkey

2010-01-11T02:57:00.000-08:00

Hyundai sales in Turkey (Europe) jump 112 percent in 2009!

Hyundai has announced it has taken the top spot in the new passenger car sales in Turkey. The Korean carmaker increased its sales by 112 percent and grabbed 16.4 percent of Turkish new car market.

According to the statement, Hyundai sold 60.645 cars in Turkey in 2008 and took the top spot in the country's passenger car market from the long-time leader Renault SA of France. Renault has been the most popular car brand in Turkey for the last 11 years.

Hyundai to set up commercial vehicle joint venture in China

2010-01-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

Hyundai announced it plans to establish a commercial vehicle joint venture with one of the Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturers.

Hyundai experienced explosive passenger car sales gains in China in 2009 and the company now seeks to repeat the success in the world's largest auto market through commercial vehicles.

The Korean largest car maker intends to offer a complete line-up of commercial vehicles in China with an aim to sell around 100.000 units of its trucks by the end of 2014

Hyundai announced it has signed an agreement to create a joint venture with Baotou Bei Ben Heavy-Duty Truck. Under the agreement, Hyundai and its commercial vehicle partner will both invest $400 million to establish a 50-50 joint venture.

The joint venture between Hyundai and Baotou Bei Ben Heavy-Duty Truck will first unveil a redesigned Baotou Bei Ben model, while two year later the ventzre will unveil a completely redesigned model, which will feature Hyundai's advance powertrain technology.

Image: Baotou Bei Ben heavy truck.

"Entering China's commercial vehicle market is essential in establishing Hyundai's reputation as the most comprehensive car manufacturer in the world's largest auto market," Mr. Choi, Hyundai's Vice Chairman, said at the signing ceremony. "Our business in China will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our global sales target of 200,000 units in commercial vehicles by 2013."

Hyundai Mobis is growing fast

2010-01-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

Hyundai Mobis, the world's fastest growing auto parts maker, is eyeing to become the fifth largest car parts making company in the world by 2020!

In the beginning, Hyundai Mobis has been specialized in shipping container production, but later the company reorganized itself to become a specialized automobile parts maker, supporting the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.

To fuel a significant part of the planned growth, Mobis is now looking to win contracts from other automobile makers.

We have already reported in September that Mobis set a record for Korea's auto parts industry when it won the largest parts supply contract ever won by a local parts maker. Mobis has won a $2 billion contract to supply chassis modules to Chrysler, which will be used in the new models of Dodge Durango and Jeep Cherokee.Both model will go into production by the end of 2010.

In addition, Hyundai Mobis also secured a three-year contract from BMW to supply rear lamps that will be used in BMW's 1-series. According to latest news from Korea Herald, Hyundai Mobis also won a contract from U.S. General Motors, to supply it with park brakes destined for future Cadillac cars. Both orders are worth around $90 million!

New Opel Meriva to rival future Hyundai i20 mini-MPV

2010-01-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

Future Hyundai i20 mini-MPV facing strong competition from Opel Meriva rival!

Opel has released the very first photos of the all-new Meriva mini-MPV ahead of it official unveiling. The all-new Meriva is scheduled to make its official premiere at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show in March.

The all-new Opel Meriva is one of the most successful vehicles in the mini-MPV segment. Over the past few years, it was also the best selling vehicle in the segment, which has been gradually expanding with new models from different brands.

One of the latest mini-MPV models that joined the battle for young European families is the brand-new Kia Venga. Kia Venga might be the first attempt of South Korean's second largest carmaker to lure younger families to the showrooms, but its a very solid car with nice design and modern powertrain technology.

But Venga is not the last mini-MPV coming from a Korean carmaker! Hyundai has already announced it is working on a similar model, which will use Venga's powertrain technology, including engines, platform and transmissions.

Dubbed the i20 mini-MPV, the model is expected to be marketed in Europe only. It will be built alongside Kia Venga at Hyundai's European manufacturing plant that has a capacity tp build 300.000 new vehicles per year.

There are no images of the upcoming Hyundai i20 mini-MPV on the web at the moment, but we are expecting to see at least some teaser shots released by Hyundai ahead of Geneva Motor Show. With new models, such as mini-MPV, Hyundai sales in Europe is expected to grow significantly in 2010.

Gallery: Hyundai i20 mini-MPV vs. 2010 Opel Meriva

Hyundai India posts December 2009 sales report

2010-01-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

Hyundai announced today that it has sold 22.6 percent more new cars in India during the month of December 2009 compared to the same month a year earlier.

According to Hyundai's monthly sales report, the company sold 47217 new vehicles in India last month, while in the same month a year earlier, the Korean largest automaker sold 38502 new vehicles in the fast growing car market.

Hyundai Motor India produces small cars such as i20 and i10 hatchback and about half of them are sold in India, while the rest of them are destined for markets overseas, including Europe and other Asian markets.

During the last month of 2009, the i10, i20 and Santro mini-car have been the top performing Hyundai vehicles with sales topping at 44129 units. In addition, Hyundai also sold a little more than 3000 units of Accent hatchback and 20 units of Hyundai Sonata sedan.

According to Arvind Saxena, director of Marketing and Sales of Hyundai Motor India, the overall economic situation have in India have improved and the automotive market seems to have stabilized.

Overall Hyundai sales during all 12 months of the year increased by 15 percent to 559880 units, compared to 489343 new vehicles sold a year earlier. Hyundai revealed its Indian sales soared 18 percent (to 289863 units ) when compared to 2008, while sales overseas increased to 270017 new Hyundai cars.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe wins Coupe of the year award

2009-12-28T00:16:00.000-08:00

Hyundai's first-ever rear-wheel-drive coupe, the Genesis Coupe has won the Coup of the year award in the Middle East. It has happened for the very first time, that a Korean car has won the prestigious award.

The Genesis Coupe has been selected as the best vehicle in the coupe segment by a number of automotive experts and from the region. It was one of the 10 cars that received the title, each in its own category.

Some other vehicles that also won this year's Car Middle East Awards were the Lamborghini LP670-4SV, which was named the supercar of the year. Range Rover Sport was named the SUV of the year, while Nissan GT-R received the overall Car of the year victory.

Congrats to Hyundai!

Hyundai sales in Eastern Europe slows down

2009-12-28T00:02:00.000-08:00

According to KAMA, Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, South Korean automakers experienced slower sales in Eastern Europe in the first eleven months of 2009.

Their sales performance has been affected by economic slump in the region. Overall auto sales in Russia fell from 2.69 million units in 2008 to 1.34 million units in 2009.

Reportedly, Hyundai Motor Company and other South Korean automakers including Kia and GM Daewoo have sold a total of 88.547 new cars in Russia and some Eastern European markets in the first 11 months, while a year earlier they sold 378.395 new cars.

The report also mentioned that on the other hand, Hyundai achieved some good results in the US market. Its manufacturing plant, which produces Santa Fe SUV and Sonata sedan rolled out a millionth car last month after only four and a hlf years since opening!

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe beats competitors in terms of fuel consumption

2009-12-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV equipped with 2.2L four-cylinder diesel engine has been recognised as the most fuel efficient mid-size Sport Utility Vehicle in Australia.

During the week long Global Green Challenge, which crosses the continent from Darwin to Adelaide, the Santa Fe achieved an outstanding fuel consumption of 5.1L/100km and beat all of its rivals, including Kia's new Sorento crossover.

According to hyundai Australia, after seven days of intense competition, the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE consumed a total of just 160L of diesel and leaved only 137 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is equipped with Hyundai's latest diesel engine, which produces 197 horsepower and achieves EURO5 emission standards. It is mated to the all-new six-speed automatic gearbox, which helps the vehicle to achieve such impressive fuel consumption ratings as mentioned above.

But, this is not the very first "green competition" win for Hyundai brand in Australia. At the World Solar Challenge event two years ago, Hyundai also beat its competition with its brandnew i30 hatch and an astonishing 3.2L per 100 kilometers consumption. Under the hood, the i30 featured a 1.6L diesel engine from Hyundai, which is recognized as one of the best diesel engines in the segment.

Hyundai Alabama produces 1 millionth car

2009-12-14T00:22:00.000-08:00

Hyundai Alabama celebrates 1 millionth car milestone!

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) President and CEO H.I. Kim, announced HMMA’s 1,000,000 vehicle last week. A white, 2010 Sonata sedan, which was the millionth car built by the venture, was driven off the assembly line with Mayor Todd Strange, Hyo-Seung Kim, CEO and President of Sejong and HMMA Team Member Angela Collins.

Hyundai reached the 1.000.000 vehicle milestone in a span of little more than four and one-half years announced HMMA CEO during his speech at the celebration.

Hyundai's Alabama manufacturing plant produced two different vehicles since 2006, the mid-size Sonata sedan and Santa Fe SUV. In the past four year and a half, a total of 655.496 Sonatas and 344.504 Santa Fe SUVs were built to reach this achievement in the plant’s short history.

Hyundai Sonata, which will soon undergo a major redesign, has been the company's best-selling vehicle in the US market. The Korean carmaker expects it to remain the top-selling vehicle in Hyundai's US vehicle line-up in the coming years.

"Our guests of honor today are without a doubt the team members wearing the Hyundai logo on their chest," H.I. Kim proudly exclaimed to the crowd gathered for the ceremony. "We've over came many challenges since production began in 2005 and through it all our Team Members never turned away from those challenges. It is because of you that we were able to accomplish this tremendous milestone."

Go Hyundai!

November 2009 car sales in Korea

2009-12-02T03:14:00.000-08:00

Korean newspaper Koreaherald reported yesterday that Korea's five automakers increased their sales by 25,1% from a year earlier to 555.246 units. Domestic market sales increased by 93% to 136.607 units, while overseas market sales gained 22% to 418.639 units.

Among all five automakers, Hyundai saw its sales rising 33 percent in November from a year ago to 308.873 units, while its parent firm, Kia Motors experienced a 25 percent sales gain - Kia sold 166.614 new vehicles in November 2009.

According to the sales report, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co sold 54.501 new vehicles last month, while Renault Samsung, the local unit of Renault SA, announced its sales gained 81 percent in November from a year ago to 20.562 units. Even Ssangyong Motor, which has been under bankruptcy protection since the beginning of the year, reported it sales rose to 4.696 units (+22 percent compared to last year).

The best selling vehicle in Korea last month was Hyundai Sonata sedan with sales once again topping 19.000 units.

2010 Renault-Samsung SM5

2009-12-01T02:43:00.000-08:00

Korean fourth largest carmaker, Renault-Samsung, has released the very first official images of the SM5 sedan ahead of its official South Korean debut, scheduled for the first quarter of 2010.

The all-new SM5 sports more sophisticated exterior design and more modern interior lay-out than its predecessor. Based on the same platform as Renault Laguna, the 2010 SM5 features Nissan's powertrain technology, including a 2.0L gasoline engine and six speed automatic transmission. The model is also available with a fuel-sipping 2.0L diesel powerplant that gets even better gas mileage than its gasoline counterpart.

The all-new Renault-Samsung SM5 has been developed at the company's Korean R&D headquarters. It took the engineers 36 months to develop the model from scratch, while the development process cost company a whopping 400 million won.

Renault-Samsung executive chief officer, Jean-Marie Hurtiger, is confident that the 2010 SM5 is good enough to boost image of the brand in both, the South Korean and International markets, as well as boost the overall brand's sales.

According to the company, the all-new SM5 will be equipped with some high-tech features such as adaptive xenon headlights and massage front seats. It is expected to be priced attractively, which means it will probably cost less than its main rivals from Hyundai or Kia Motors.

Check also the designer sketch of the new SM5, which has been released a few days ago, as well as some general information on the Renault-Samsung brand.

Renault-Samsung SM5 images:

Hyundai pulls out of Japanese market

2009-11-30T13:23:00.000-08:00

World's fastest rising carmaker, Hyundai Motor Company, announced a surprising news about pulling out of the Japanese car market, last Friday. The Korean carmaker decided to stop selling passanger vehicles in Japan due to low sales volumes.

Since 2001 when Hyundai entered the Japanese automarket, the automaker managed to sell only 15.000 new cars. Hyundai sold Grandeur XG, Sonata sedan and Getz subcompact car in Japan. Initial sales were encouraging, but later on, Hyundai experienced falling of new car sales
therefore the decision was made to suspend passenger vehicle sales in the country.

Despite slugish sales in Japan, Hyundai contimue to outperform major car-makers, including Toyota on international markets. According to the statement of Hyundai spokesperson, the company has sold 41 percent more cars in the third quarter of the year compared to a year earlier.

This is a temporary decisison said Hyundai spokesperson and if the Japanese passenger car market improves, Hyundai could resume the sales there. Hyundai sells both, passenger cars and commercial vehicles in Japan and while passenger car sales has been suspended, Hyundai will continue to offer commercials vehicles. It will allocate its resources and focus on commercial vehicles sales.

Hopefully, Hyundai returns to the Japanese market with a better car-selling strategy. Once they return, they should try with a broader range of vehicles and instead of selling mid-sized and large-sized sedan, they should focus on selling compact and sub-compact cars or they could make a step further and offer a range of hybrid cars to tech-savy Japanese consumers.

US-market Fiesta likely to steal sales from Hyundai

2009-11-30T09:05:00.001-08:00

New US-market Ford Fiesta looks great. But is this enough to steal sales from Hyundai?

Apparently, the all-new, US-market, Ford Fiesta sedan has made it unofficial US debut just moments ago, with the very first and exclusive images surfacing to the web. Scheduled to make its official US debut at the up-coming L.A. Auto Show next week, the all-new Fiesta sedan features a bit different front fascia design than its European five-door sibling model.

The most evident difference between the two is the front bumper design, which features massive air intake and large chrome intakes for the fog-lights. The US-market Fiesta also sports a redesigned front grille with nicely incorporated grille-bars. There are no pics of the rear-end at the moment, so its quite difficult to talk about the rear design, but we expect to see some traditional design DNA elements from latest Ford cars at the rear-end of Fiesta.

The all-new Fiesta will compete head to head against Hyundai's sub-compact Accent. The ageing Hyundai Accent, with not so appealing design will probably have some hard times competing against a brand-new Ford model with striking design and more modern powertrain technology, so question is how will the new Fiesta affect Hyundai Accent's 2010 sales? If priced reasonably, the Accent could loose several thousand units of sales next year.

Thankfully, Hyundai has an all-new Accent in the works, which should hit the market in late 2010 or early 2011. The very first spy shots reveal its going to look as hot as Fiesta four-door so you can expect the battle for the sub-compact car customers to intensify once Hyundai launches its new product in the US market.

Hyundai and Ford are currently in the "battle" for the fourth largest automaker in the world. According to figures released by the Automotive News, Hyundai's 2.153.000 units sold are 8.000 more than the US auto giant. Great Fiesta sales could catapult Ford past Hyundai to recap the fourth spot again, but be sure the roaring Korean auto maker will fight back and make FoMoCo hard time to sleep.

Update: We added some more pics including the one revealing the rear-end design, which is not as appealing as the striking front-end. But all-in-all, the forth-coming Fiesta is a great looking car (perhaps the best looking one in its segment) and should do really well for Ford Motor Company in the US market. Enjoy the images.

New Samsung SM5 designer sketch surfaces to the web

2009-11-25T09:09:00.000-08:00

Renault-Samsung released a designer sketch of its all-new mid-size sedan called SM5, which is expected to arrive to the market in 2010.

The designer sketch you see above shows a redesigned Samsung SM5 and is a follow-up model to the current SM5 model, which has been on sale in the Korean market since 2005. The current SM5 sedan is built on Nissans Teana platform, while the up-coming SM5 will, reportedly, be based on the same platform as the current generation Renault Laguna.

Therefore, the all-new SM5 will features similar engines, as well as powertrain technology with its European sibling model. It will also feature a breakthrough exterior design, which will be sportier and much more eye-pleasing than that of the current model. Plus, the model will also adopt advanced safety technology and many other convenience features already found on the current Renault Laguna sedan.

The forth-coming Renault-Samsung SM5 will first go on sale in the South Korean market in the first half of 2010 where it will compete head-to-head with the all-new Hyundai Sonata sedan and Kia Lotze (known as Optima in the US market), while later in the year, the carmaker will begin exporting the model to several other Asian markets.

About the Renault Samsung company:

Those of you not familiar with the fourth-largest Korean car brand read this: Renault Samsung Motors was first established as Samsung Motors back in 1994. Hit by the Asian financial crisis in 1998, the carmaker has been sold to Renault which acquired a 70 percent stake in the company for $512 million.

The fourth-largest Korean carmaker produces four different models and has a production capacity of 130.000 units. With new models planed to be released in the near future, the brand plans an expansion of its production to around 250.000 new vehicles by the end of 2010.

Existing Renault-Samsung vehicle line-up consists of compact SM3 sedan, midsize SM5 and near-luxury sedan called SM7. The company also sells the QM5 crossover, which is also sold in overseas markets as a Renault Koleos.

India vs China car sales

2009-11-19T07:48:00.000-08:00

Hyundai Motor India will likely become the largest contributor to its parent company, Hyundai Motor Corporation (HMC) of Korea, in terms of sales and could soon overtake Hyundai's China subsidiary.

To date, Hyundai Motor India sold 405.689 new cars, while Hyundai's cumulative sales in China, the world's largest car market, topped 412.399 units. That is a difference of mere 6.710 units.

"India contributes 15-17% to the total sales and revenues of HMC and the growing demand for small cars will help us increase our profits further in 2010," said Mr. HW Park, who has been just recently appointed as a managing director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India.

According to Hyundai, demand for small cars have gone up after the scrappage incentives have been doled out by variousEuropean countries.

"Despite a strong demand for smaller vehicles in the domestic market, where the small car segment constitutes nearly 78% to the total car sales, there has been an increase in exports from India to Europe and this will help us increase our sales and profit in 2010" said Hyundai representative.

However, while sales in China is entirely to the domestic market, HMC's Indian subsidiary is currently exporting nearly half of its new car production to the West after the company decided to develop India as a hub for small cars. This year Hyundai expects to sell 560.000 units, which would be a growth of 13-14%.

2.4L GDI engine to propel Sonata

2009-11-18T15:49:00.000-08:00

- Hyundai's gasoline direct injection engine lowers CO2 emissions and improves vehicle's fuel economy!

- The engine churns out a class-leading 201 horsepower!

- First installed in the all-new Hyundai Sonata sedan

According to Hyundai, the 2.4L GDI engine was developed with a budget of $146 million over a 46 month-long research and development period. The engine will make its inaugural debut in the first half of 2010 in the all-new Sonata sedan.

The GDI technology will gradually be expanded to other Hyundai engines and will include majority of gasoline engines applied in other Hyundai cars.

The 2.4L GDI's engine's benefits include improved gas mileage and performance. Compared to engine without GDI technology, tjaall-new 2.4L GDI unit achieves 7 percent more torque at low revolutions and 12 percent more torque at the high-end revs.

It also achievs around 10% better gas-mileage than the engine without GDI technology.

As we already mentioned, the all-new 2.4L Theta II gasoline engine will make its debut in te 2011 Sonata sedan, which will make its premiere at the 2010 NAIAS in January. The all-new Sonata will be unveiled just a few months after the 2010 Tucson crossover, which has been scheduled to make its official US debut at the upcoming L.A. Auto Show in November this year.

Stay tuned for more information!

Sales of Santa Fe SUV tops 2 million units

2009-11-11T04:46:00.000-08:00

Korean largest carmaker Hyundai reported that Santa Fe -midsize SUV, just recently reached cumulative sales of 2 million units worldwide.

The two million units landmark is a major success for the brand and testifies the high-quality and leading style of the Santa Fe SUV. According to Hyundai, 1.500.000 units of the Santa Fe SUV were sold in the international markets, while 500.000 units were sold in the Korean marke

If you line up all the Santa Fes that have been sold to date, the length is equivalent to eleven round trips between Seoul and Korea's second-largest city, Busan (distance between two cities is 428 km). When the cars are piled up (overall height 1,725mm), the two million units are 390 times the height of the Mount Everest (8,848m).

The Santa Fe SUV was launched in the summer of 2000 and immediatelly became a major success for the brand. The Santa Fe, which combes the comfort of a car and safety of a SUV vehicle, has just recently received a facelift.

The all-new, 2010 model benefits from exterior styling tweaks, as well as interior improvements. It also boasts a wider engine range (in Korean market), which includes a brand new LPI engine, as well as a choice of gasoline and diesel engines.

Positioned one slot above the forth-coming Hyundai ix35, the facelifted Santa Fe SUV will go on sale by the end of this year.

Hyundai sales soar in October

2009-11-03T00:53:00.000-08:00

Hyundai announces October sales...

Korean largest carmaker, Hyundai Motor Company, announced today that it has increased its new vehicle sales by 6,9% last month. October sales were higher on behalf of soaring domestic sales, as well as increasing overseas demand.

Hyundai reported October sales totaled 288.618 units last month. Sales in domestic market grew more than 25% to 66.458 units, while overseas sales rose 2,3% to 222.160 units. Hyundai told that domestic sales were boosted by the introduction of new Tucson ix crossover and Sonata YF, which has been on sale in Korea since mid-September.

In addition to October sales numbers, Hyundai also announced it has finally signed a final contract to set up a US$33.8 million joint venture to produce lithium-ion car batteries with LG Chem Ltd.

The Korean car-maker will begin production of lithium-ion car batteries in the second half of 2010. The venture is expected to help Hyundai to speed up its efforts to increase the presence in the rapidly growing market of low-polluting vehicles. Hyundai has already revealed it plans to release new fuel-efficient models, including a variety of hybrid cars, as well as electric cars within next three years.

Hyundai to produce electric cars together with KEPCO

2009-10-27T01:15:00.000-07:00

Hyundai to produce electric cars together with KEPCO!

Hyundai and the Korea Electric Power Corp. yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding on developing electric vehicles and recharging mechanisms.

As part of the agreement, the two companies will collaborate in developing electric vehicles and the charging mechanisms, as well as developing and standardizing recharging interfaces, while also commercializing the electric vehicles. KEPCO is currently developing recharging mechanisms with the target of completing the process by 2010.

Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group's electric car plans aim to supply electric vehicles in limited volumes in August 2010 and to begin commercial production of such vehicles the following year.

Hyundai will soon reveal more detailed plans regarding its electric car program. Stay tuned!

Hyundai increases sales in Africa and Middle East

2009-10-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

Although Hyundai posted the highest sales increase in China market, where sales have jumped more than 150 percent last month, the Korean largest automaker also increased its sales in Afric and Middle East and Africa.

According to the KAMA - Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, Hyundai shipped 17.528 vehicles to African countries last month, while at the same, it exported more than 46.000 units to the Middle East (plus 83.8% from a year ago).

The beginning of the year was tough for Hyundai as the automaker experienced slumping sales, but recently ( July-September period), Korean carmaker experienced a sharp turnaround! Year on year exports to the Middle East jumped 38 percent to 106.132 units, while shipments to Africa rose 25% to 44,253.

The outlook for the Hyundai brand is good. The automaker will introduce new models next year and it also plans to spend more money on marketing in the region (Africa and Middle East).

Next generation, 2011 Elantra spied

2009-10-22T05:33:00.000-07:00

Here is the proof that Hyundai already begun testing a successor model to its current Elantra compact sedan. A prototype has just recently been caught while out in the wild. Covered with heavy camouflage, the prototype model provides us with the very first glimpse of how the 2011 Elantra sedan will look like.

Honestly, there's not much to see rather than Elantra's general body shape, but that seems to be very sporty. It's pretty evident that the 2011 Elantra will follow Hyundai's upcoming Sonata with its design language. The model will sport a modern design with sleek profile and coupe-like roofline. Compared to the current Elantra model, the new one will not only attract consumers by offering value, but also with its attractive exterior styling.

Although there are no available details on Elantra's powertrain options, the 2011 Elantra is expected to be available with a wide selection of four-cylinder powertrains. Hyundai will soon apply its latest gasoline direct injection technology to its 1.6L and 2.0L four-cylinder engines and those are expected to make their production debut in next Elantra.

According to some inside reports, Hyundai will also debut a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox in new Elantra, but that remains to be seen. The 2011 Elantra is expected to make its official debut late next year, possibly at the 2010 L.A. auto show. Sales will commence shortly after its official debut.

Make sure you copy and paste the following link to see more spy shots of the 2011 Elantra sedan... [Source: www.leftlanenews.com/hyundai-elantra-2011.html]

Hyundai posts record third quarter earnings

2009-10-22T00:20:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor Company continues to post record profits through the year. Today, the Korean automaker announced it has achieved record third quarter earnings, thanks to stronger than expected new car demand.

Hyundai reported a net profit of $832 million (979.1 billion won) in the third quarter, really an impressive amount of money. This is more than three times the 264.8 billion won the company has earned in the same period of time a year ago. Third quarter profits also beat a 616.3 billion won forecast set by 11 analysts in a Reuters poll.

"These are amazing earnings. The figures reflect Hyundai's increased share in the Asian and North American markets." said Kazutaka Oshima, CEO at Rakuten Investment Management in Tokyo. "

Hyundai expects to continue improving its sales with launching new models such as next generation Hyundai Sonata sedan and completely revamped Tucson crossover, which has been one of the best selling Hyundai cars this year. Hyundai also plans to launch a facelifted i30 hatch in Europe soon.

The automaker also expects to see global demand for new cars growing by up to 5 percent in 2010. A Hyundai executive told that global economy will slowly recover and that means global new car sales would likely grow to 60 million vehicles next year.

Hyundai reports September 2009 sales

2009-10-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor Company has issued its monthly sales report in which, the company has announced it has sold 307.181 new cars in September 2009, a 61% increase compared to the same month a year earlier.

Domestic sales have risen 118 percent to 68.570 units from last year's 31.449 units. Both, new Sonata sedan and new Tucson/ix35 have helped the automaker to record the best-ever overall September sales.

According to Hyundai, Sonata sedan has been the best selling vehicle in Korean market last month. With sales of 9.517 units, the all-new 2011 Sonata sedan finished a top of the Korean sales charts. The all-new Sonata also passed the old Sonata model, with 6.500 units. Combined, both Sonatas managed to attract record 16.299 new consumers! The old Sonata model will now be discontinued.

Sales from Hyundai's overseas manufacturing plants, located in the USA, China, Turkey, India and Czech Republic rose to 238.611 units, representing 50 percent increase compared to last year.

With new Hyundai ix35 and Tucson set to be officially launched in the international markets later this year or early in 2010, Hyundai is confident it can push its monthly sales further.

Reportedly, the Korean carmaker will focus on expanding its market share by introducing new cars and intensify its marketng activities around the world.

Interior of the 2011 Kia VG

2009-10-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

Hyundai's sister company, Kia Motors, has a new premium sedan currently in development. Codenamed VG, the all-new Kia is scheduled to hit the Korean market in November this year, while international sales is expected to commence in the second half of 2010.

The all-new Kia VG will be based on the concept car which has been first showed at the 2009 Seoul Auto Show. It's exterior styling will not be far from attractive exterior design of the concept car. Kia's flagship model will feature Kia's latest design elements such as new "tiger nose" grille. It will also be equipped with LED technology in front and rear lights.

The VG sedan will be powered by a 275-horsepower 3.5L V6 Lambda engine. Other engine options will include a 2.4L Theta II engine and a 2.7L LPi engine (Korean market only). Powerful engines will be coupled to Kia's new six-speed automatic transmission.

Kia's VG sedan rides on a new front-wheel-drive platform that will also be used with next generation Hyundai Azera.

This is the very first shot of a completely undisguised interior photo of the all-new Kia VG. UPDATE: A few more spy shots of the VG prototype surfaced to the web...

Hyundai reports September sales gain

2009-10-02T00:50:00.000-07:00

Hyundai reports September sales gain!

Hyundai Motor America announced its September sales of 31,511units, a 27 percent increase compared with September 2008. For the calendar year to-date, Hyundai sales are up 1.4 percent compared to last year. This also marks the ninth consecutive month of significant year-over-year gains in retail market share. Hyundai leads all automotive brands in market share growth this year as well.

"While consumer demand following the Cash-for-Clunkers program softened during the month of September, we are encouraged with our continued growth in retail share and overall sales through the first nine months of the year,” said Dave Zuchowski, vice president of sales.“With our solid product and marketing plans going into the fourth quarter, in addition to the upcoming launch of the all-new Tucson and Sonata, we are cautiously optimistic during these challenging times."

The compact Elantra had a significant increase of 104 percent versus 2008. Santa Fe delivered a substantial sales gain of 50 percent, while Genesis continued its strong growth trend with sales of 1,665 units. [Source: Hyundai Motor America]

2011 Nissan Micra

2009-10-01T05:34:00.000-07:00

It's time to give a brief look at Hyundai's competition. More praticularly, we will review the forth-coming Nissan Micra, which is scheduled to make its official debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Micra is Nissan's most successful sub-compact car that has been on sale ever since 1982. The current model of Nissan Micra, which has been first displayed at 2002 Paris Auto Show, has sold in thousands of units each year and has proved to be a successful contender in the popular B-car segment. It was especially successful in Europe, where it has been the best selling Nissan vehicle for years - until the Qashqai crossover showed up.

Scheduled to go on sale early next year, Nissan will replace the current Micra with a completely redesigned model, which will incorprate Nissan's latest design DNA, new eco-friendly engines and advanced transmissions.

Latest reports suggest that Nissan Micra will be powered by Renault's 1.2L gasoline turbo engine that already propels Renault Twingo. It will also be available with a fuel-sipping diesel engine, while latest rumors also indicate that Nissan is preparing a hybrid version of new Micra.

While no test mules of next Micra have been spied so far, we have gotten our hand on two designe sketches that give us a sneak peak preview at what could the 2010 Micra look like.

Hyundai to build Kia Venga in Europe

2009-09-24T01:58:00.000-07:00

Hyundai to build Kia's B-segment van called Venga at its European plant!

Hyundai has announced it will soon begin producing the Venga, a B-segment MPV, from Kia Motors at its Czech manufacturing plant located in a city called Nosovice. Kia has officially launched Venga at the Frankfurt Auto Show last week and will start selling it in December.

Kia Venga will be the third model to be built in the plant after the five-door i30 hatch and i30 wagon and will be marketed exclusively for the European market. In 2011, Kia Venga will be followed by another model, possibly a Venga clone that Hyundai plans to introduce in that year.

Hyundai's B-segment MPV model will be built on the same platform as Kia Venga and will share many of its powertrain components, such as diesel and gasoline engines, and transmissions. To differentiate it from Kia's Venga, Hyundai will incorporate its latest design language, which has been first seen on the 2010 ix35, to the newcomer. The model is expected to be the same size as its major rivals: Opel's upcoming Meriva, Nissan Note and Renault Modus.

When Hyundai adds the fourth model to production lines, the plant will churn out 300.000 vehicles per year.