Spied: GM Daewoo Veritas (L4X) spotted in person

Here are the first images of the GM Daewoo Veritas, originally named L4X, spotted outside auto show venues for the first time. A rebadge of the Holden WM Caprice, the Veritas replaces the GM Daewoo Statesman that was on sale since 2005. The Statesman was also a rebadge of the previous generation Holden Statesman from Australia. The Veritas sports a unique vertical-slat grille and badging. The Statesman rides on Holden's RWD Zeta platform.

GM Daewoo pits the Veritas against the Hyundai Genesis 3.3L, Ssangyong Chairman W V6, and BMW 528i. Alike all three of these cars, the Veritas is rear-wheel driven. Its dimensions are (mm) 5195 x 1895 x 1480. The Veritas is powered by a 3.6L Alloytec V6 that produces 258 horsepower. It is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Veritas features a myriad of premium amenities such as bi-xenon headlamps, navigation system with DMB TV, tri-zone automatic climate control, power rear seats with massaging, power rear window curtains, and a rearview camera.

Reports say the Veritas is scheduled to go on sale by the end of 2008.

Continue reading to view more images.

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Video: Kia releases Soul teaser

After the Raphael Nadal video that sparked some controversy in the media, the "weird" theme continues with Kia's latest video of the Soul. With this one, however, it is eccentric in a cute way. Random wheels are bouncing around when the wheel of a Kia Soul Burner Concept comes into the scene. One more thing. At the end, the supposed slogan of the Soul appears and it's confusing to say the least. Soul has no color? Oxymoron anyone?

The Soul is slated to make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show this October.

[Source: CARSCOOP]

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Moscow: Hyundai unveils ix55 for Europe

Hyundai has debuted the ix55 crossover, the European version of the Veracruz, at the Moscow International Autoshow. Along the lines of Hyundai's new "i" nomenclature scheme (i10, i20, i30, i40), the ix55 will be available in European and Russian markets.

Apart from a horizontal-slat front grille and reworked alloy wheels, the ix55 differs little from the North American version cosmetically. The ix55 also features a re-engineered suspension system and packs a 3.0L VGT diesel engine that produces a potent 240 horsepower. The ix55 will go on sale by the end of the year.

[Source: Auto Motor Und Sport]

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Kia Motors Europe boss returns to Volkswagen

Paul Willis, who served as the chief operating officer of Kia Motors Europe, will step down from his position and move to Volkswagen Group Ireland as its new managing director.

Taking effect on October 1, 2008, Willis will replace Bob O'Callaghan, who is retiring after 43 years in Volkswagen. Willis has worked previously in Volkswagen from 2000 to January 2008. He will be responsible for the import business of VW, Audi, Skoda, and VW Commercial vehicles from O'Flaherty Holdings to Volkswagen.

Before joining Volkswagen in 2000, he has worked in Ford, Toyota, Mazda UK, and BMW GB. Details on who will take Willis' former position in Kia have not been released.

[Source: Motor Trader]

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USA: Hyundai Recalls 65,000 Elantras

Hyundai Motor America has issued a recall affecting 65,000 units of the Elantra for a fuel pump defect. It affects MY2008 models produced between November 5, 2007 and June 28, 2008.

The defective fuel pump may lose pressure and hinder the engine's performance. All affected models are equipped with the 2.0L Beta 4-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower. Injuries have not been reported due to this defect.

Produced in Hyundai's Ulsan plant in South Korea, the Elantra is the second best-selling Hyundai in the United States - behind the Sonata.

[Source: Reuters]

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Hyundai Genesis Aces NHTSA Tests, Five-Star Ratings All-Round

Score one for Hyundai. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis has been awarded five-star crash test ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for both frontal and side impact tests.

"Genesis was engineered with a lightweight but strong body shell, featuring ultra-high tensile steel, laser welding, and advanced adhesive bonding," said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. "Add eight airbags and electronic active head restraints and you can see the focus we placed on designing Genesis for occupant safety. These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety."

The Genesis is standard with a plethora of safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags, and electronic active front head restraints. Couple that with the starting price of $32,250 for the base V6 and the deal doesn't get any better. Kudos to Hyundai for another sign of progress.

[Source: MarketWatch]

Continue reading to view the official press release.

PRESS RELEASE: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Delivers NHTSA Five-Star Safety Ratings

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Aug 27, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded five-star crash test ratings, the highest government rankings under the agency's New Car Assessment Program, to the all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis for both frontal and side-impact crash tests.
"Genesis was engineered with a lightweight but strong body shell, featuring ultra-high tensile steel, laser welding, and advanced adhesive bonding," said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. "Add eight airbags and electronic active head restraints and you can see the focus we placed on designing Genesis for occupant safety. These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety."

Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features that both prevent accidents and maximize the well-being of its occupants in the event of a collision. The Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardizing key life-saving safety technology, with features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.

ESC compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual response. It then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer.
Genesis' eight airbags include advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants.

Hyundai is the first popular brand to offer electronic active front head restraints, a standard feature on the 2009 Genesis, which are an improvement over mechanically-based active head restraint systems. Until now, electronic active head restraints could only be found on select Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus models. Active front head restraints have been proven by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help prevent whiplash.

Genesis is brought to a halt by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The V6 models feature 12.6-inch front rotors with single-piston floating calipers, while the V8 models feature 13-inch front rotors with four-piston calipers. All models are equipped with 12.4-inch rear rotors.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 800 dealerships nationwide.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

NHTSA is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety. The agency strives to exceed the expectations of its customers through its core values of Integrity, Service and Leadership. NHTSA provides leadership to the motor vehicle and highway safety community through the development of innovative approaches to reducing motor vehicle crashes and injuries.

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Spied: 2010 Kia 'VG'

Here are the latest spyshots of Kia's upcoming premium front-wheel drive sedan, code named 'VG'. Due to make its debut in August 2009, the VG is Kia's answer to the Buick Lucerne and Toyota Avalon.

The VG is underpinned by Hyundai/Kia's new 'NF' chassis and it will be more of a performance-oriented car than a luxury one. Measurement wise, the VG will be wider and longer than the Amanti; though it will not replace the Amanti as a successor to that, code named 'CH', will debut in September 2010. The VG will be powered by a 3.8L Lambda V6 producing north of 280 horsepower. It will be coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

It is definite that the VG will be available in North America. Pricing remains speculative, but we expect it to range from the high $20s to low $30s. More information will be available soon. Head over to Leftlane to view more images.

[Source: Leftlane]

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USA: Hyundai launches ad campaign for Hispanics

Hyundai has commenced an advertising campaign targeted towards Hispanic buyers in the United States. Led by Patricia Romero, national manager of multicultural marketing, the campaign is dubbed "Descubrelo tu mismo" (Discover it for Yourself).

According to Advertising Age, Hyundai has a 2.7 percent share of Hispanic car sales in the United States.

"Often Hispanic campaigns are direct (translations), with no Hispanic insights and just adapted language-wise," Romero recently told Advertising Age.

The campaign incorporates a television spot and a special Spanish-language website that highlights Hyundai's commitment to safety, reliability, and design.

[Source: Red Orbit]

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Renault releases Safrane in Gulf States, rebadged Samsung SM5

Renault has released the first images of the Safrane sedan, which is a rebadged version of the popular Renault Samsung SM5. The SM5 and the Safrane are both re-engineered versions of the Nissan Teana.

Renault plans to only market this in the Gulf States such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. It is available with a 170 horsepower 2.3L V6 and mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Safrane is assembled alongside the SM5 in Renault Samsung's Busan plant in South Korea. Renault owns a 80.1 percent share of Renault Samsung.

[Source: CARSCOOP]

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Hyundai expects 50K Genesis Sedan & Coupe annually

Hyundai announced that it expects to sell up to 50,000 of the Genesis in the U.S. once both the sedan and an upcoming coupe version are in showrooms. "I think it's reasonably achievable," Hyundai vice president for product development John Krafcik told reporters. Krafcik said Hyundai could sell up to 20,000 of the sedans and 30,000 of the coupes annually.

The Korean automaker is counting on the launch of the Genesis to boost Hyundai sales and improve the image of the brand. The Genesis sedan, which starts at $33,000, went on sale in late June in the United States. Production of the coupe model will begin in December in Korea.

[Source: Reuters]

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Hyundai Genesis draws wallet of other automakers

Hyundai has reported that it has sold 800 units of the flagship Genesis in its first full month of sales. The noteworthy thing is not the numbers, but the people who have purchased the Genesis this month. Two of the early buyers of the Genesis were General Motors and Toyota.

"I’m flattered the competition bought us so early, but we only had the V-6 version available initially, so they are going to have to come back and buy another car," stated Michael Deitz, manager of product development at Hyundai, during a preview of the Genesis for the Midwest Automotive Media Association. Deitz said that Hyundai was easily able to identify the automakers, especially when the person who purchased the Genesis for GM stated that he was from GM's Competitive Intelligence Department.

The Hyundai Genesis V6 has gone on sale in the U.S. since July 2008. The more potent 4.6L V8 is due to go on sale in October. Hyundai estimates 80 percent of the Genesis cumulative sales will be the V6. The Genesis V6 starts at $32,250 while the V8 stickers from $37,250.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

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World: Kia sales jump 24.1% in July

For the first seven months of 2008, the company's global sales increased by 16.9% to 839,384 units, compared to 717,149 units in the same period of 2007.

In July 2008, the company's sales in China increased 114% to 11,110 units, compared to 5,190 units in July 2007. Sales in Korea increased 37.5% to 27,514 units and sales in general markets increased 37.3% to 22,973 units in the second quarter of 2008. Sales in Europe increased 8.4% to 28,670 units and sales in North America increased 6.2% to 31,963 units in July 2008, compared to the same period of 2007.

[Source: Kia]

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Next Hyundai Tiburon debuting in fall 2009 @ Frankfurt

According to British website 4Car, Hyundai will officially unveil the anticipated replacement of the Tiburon - called the Coupe in Europe - at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009. The new Tiburon, which would slot below the Genesis Coupe in many markets, is expected to inherit many design elements from the Veloster Concept shown at last year's Seoul Motor Show. The new Tiburon will share the same front-wheel drive underpinnings as the Hyundai i30 and Kia Forte.

Insiders are saying that the new Tiburon will be similar in size as the Toyota Celica, and will be styled like a shooting-brake hatchback. There is no word yet as to the next Tiburon's presence in America. It will go on sale in Europe shortly after its inaugural launch next fall.

[Source: 4Car]

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USA: Hyundai Accent named Most Dependable Subcompact Car by J.D. Power

The Hyundai Accent, which achieves up to 35 miles per gallon on the highway, was named the most dependable sub-compact car by J.D. Power and Associates in its 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The study measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2005 model year) vehicles. The study is based on the responses of more than 52,000 owners of new vehicles bought between November 2004 and April 2005.

In addition to the highest ranking by Accent, Hyundai on the whole made dramatic improvements in its overall dependability scores. For example, the number of problems per 100 vehicles over the entire product lineup dropped 28 points to 200, a 14 percent improvement over 2007, almost tripling the industry average improvement of 10 points. In the “non-premium” segment, Hyundai improved from 13th place to sixth place. Also, Hyundai’s score placed it 13th among the 38 nameplates measured in the study and placed it ahead of the industry average for the first time.

“Our continued dedication to quality is paying off for consumers, and this year’s Vehicle Dependability Study is further demonstration of the strides we are making,” said Barry Ratzlaff, Hyundai Motor America director of product quality. “Customers deserve higher levels of quality at the time they buy their vehicle and throughout its lifetime. Our improving initial quality and long-term dependability show that we’ve responded in a meaningful way for the long term.”

[Source: Hyundai]

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