Change of mind?: Hyundai introduces incentives in response to Toyota's recalls

Current Toyota owners thinking of buying a car this weekend have a new incentive from Hyundai: $1,000 in cash back on top of other current incentives. It’s good on only three models — the 2009-2010 Elantra, Elantra Touring and Sonata. This matches a similar incentive GM launched earlier this week and runs through Monday but may be extended.

Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore says the company is not looking to capitalize on another automaker’s misfortune but has to stay competitive while other automakers offer similar deals.

There is currently $1,500 cash back on the 2009 Elantra Touring, $1,000 cash back on the 2010 Elantra Touring, $3,000 in cash back on the 2009 Sonata, $3,500 cash back on the 2010 Sonata and $2,000 cash back on the 2009 Elantra and $1,500 cash back on the 2010 Elantra. These amounts are in addition to the $1,000 Toyota incentive. You can be a current owner of any Toyota model, not just a competing one to the three eligible Hyundais.

Read More

Hyundai says no incentives in response to Toyota recalls

Hyundai Motor announced today that it would not introduce any temporary measures such as incentive programs to lure customers from Toyota, which shut down sales of some of its best-selling vehicles on Wednesday

"We will maintain our quality and price strategies and stick to the strategy of unveiling cars with competitive prices," Park Dong-wook, a senior vice president of Hyundai's treasury division, told a meeting with analysts after quarterly results.

"It is undesirable to link our strategy to the Toyota problems," he added.

[Source: Reuters]

Read More

Snapped: 2011 Kia Sportage (SL)

Read More

Hyundai, Kia Rank 2nd in Car Sales in China Last Year

Hyundai and its affiliate Kia have collectively ranked second in China in the number of vehicles sold last year, thanks to increased demand for their compact cars amid an economic slump, according to industry data. According to the data provided by automobile companies in China, Hyundai and Kia sold a combined 811,695 units of vehicles in the rising nation last year. The Korean companies followed Volkswagen which ranked first by selling 1.39 million units.

Hyundai saw its car sales jump 93.6 percent on-year to 570,309 units last year, while its affiliate and the nation's No. 2 automaker Kia sold 241,386 units, up 70 percent from a year earlier, the data showed.

Based on the numbers, the two companies outpaced their Japanese rival Toyota, whose ranking fell from the second to the fourth. Exact figures on how many vehicles the Japanese company sold in China were not available.

[Source: Trading Markets]

Read More

LEAKED: 2011 Kia Sportage

The next generation of Kia's Sportage compact SUV has been given away through a series of designs that were made for the European Union's patent office. Note however that there's a small chance that the patent images could be depicting an almost production-ready concept destined for either the Geneva Salon in March or the Seoul Motor Show in April.

The reason why we're saying this is the use of some specific styling features such as the chrome trim, the tail lamp arrangement, the alloy wheel designs and the styling of the lower part of the front bumper, all of which look suspiciously fit for a concept car. But even so, what you're looking at here is what you'll get more or less when the 2011 Sportage arrives at the Korean automakers dealers either towards the end of the year or early 2011.

Like all Kias penned under the guiding hand of former Audi designer Peter Schreyer, the new Sportage is a much more attractive proposition than the outgoing model. Under the bodywork, the Sorento's smaller sibling shares its hardware with the new Hyundai Tucson (called iX35 in Europe and other markets).

That said, don't expect any surprises under the hood with the North American Sportage being offered with the same 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four cylinder engines coupled to six-speed transmissions as the Tuscon. Likewise, the European market Sportage will get three diesels including a 115HP 1.7-liter unit, and a 2.0-liter engine with 134HP and 184HP, and two gasoline units with a displacement of 1.6-liter and 2.0-liters producing 140HP and 166HP respectively.

[Source: EU Patent Office via CARSCOOP]

Read More

Detroit 2010: Kia Shadow Dragon Soul

Kia unveiled the Shadow Dragon Soul Special Edition at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. The Shadow Dragon Soul is the third of four special-edition Soul cars destined to hit the market, according to Kia Motors America. It features an attractive exterior appearance package that looks pretty close to the Soul Burner concept car, which made its official debut at Geneva auto show two years ago.

The third Special Edition model is coated in unique, deep shadow black exterior finish and features matte black dragon graphics on the hood and tail-gate. The hot-looking exterior is spiced-up with attractive body-colored wing-type spoiler, high-gloss black accents on the bumpers and 18-inch alloy-wheels with machined accents.

The interior of the Shadow Dragon Soul provides a little more exclusivity than both previous Special Edition (Soul Denim and Ignition Soul) models. It features leather-wrapped seats – the first leather seating available on any Soul model – with integrated seat warmers for additional comfort.

The equipments of latest special edition model also include Audio Upgrade Package with subwoofer, dash-mounted center speaker, external amplifier and pulsing front-speaker lights. Steering-wheel controls, iPod cable, sun-roof and carpeted floor mats and fog lights are also a part of standard package.

Equipped with five-speed manual gearbox, Kia Shadow Dragon Soul Special Edition model starts at $18,195 (add the $695 destination charge).

[Source: Kia]

Read More

REPORT: Hyundai to Separate Genesis and Equus in Showrooms

Rather than spin off the new premium Hyundai products into their own brand, necessitating the creation of new dealerships and huge marketing budgets, the Korean automaker is opting for the “showroom-within-a-showroom” approach. According to documents obtained by Ward’s, Hyundai Motor America (HMA) is looking to make the move soon, creating a luxury area within current dealerships where staff will display and sell new models like the Genesis Sedan and Genesis Coupe as well as the upcoming Equus flagship luxury sedan.

Instead of costing dealerships millions of dollars, the new displays are only likely to run in the hundreds of thousands. This setup is quite different from what Japanese automakers like Toyota did when it launched the Lexus brand, opting instead to set up entirely separate dealerships.

“Similar to the attributes of Toyota-Scion buildings, this strategy will create physical and psychological separation in the Hyundai showroom environment,” writes HMA VP of national sales Dave Zuchowski in his memo.

Cars like the Genesis Coupe, in its higher end trim, compete with models like the Infiniti G37 and BMW 335i Coupe, while the Genesis Sedan stacks up against vehicles like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Lexus GS. The new Equus, however, is aimed at top-tier models like the BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS. It is expected to cost slightly less than an LS and will go on sale this Fall.

Hyundai sees the Equus as another, but important, step on the road to becoming a legitimate luxury retailer. “We intend to use the launch of the new Equus to develop and further establish Hyundai as a legitimate force in the premium-luxury segments,” says Zuchowski.

[Source: Ward's]

Read More

Spied: 2011 Hyundai Elantra (MD)

Today, we bring you more close-up spy shots of the upcoming redesigned Elantra sedan by Hyundai. Code-named 'MD', the new Elantra is yet another rendition of Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design theme that is also conveyed in the new Sonata and Tucson. The 2011 Elantra sedan will feature a sportier overall appearance, with larger front grille, stretched head-lamps, steeper windshield rake and lower roof-line.

As for now, we have no confirmed details on 2011 Elantra’s engine options but you can expect to see Hyundai’s new 2.0L Theta four-cylinder engine placed under its hood. In addition, Hyundai will probably introduce a 1.6L four-cylinder engine in the entry-level, Elantra Blue model, which will achieve above average mileage thanks to the applied gasoline direct injection technology.

The sales date has not been confirmed for the 2011 Elantra. However, sources report that the launch date is tentatively scheduled for July of 2010. Our take? With Hyundai's 24/7 in full force, we expect the Elantra to be launched much earlier, especially considering the fact that the new compact sedan is next in line for unveiling according to the brand's plan. We will see for now.

Continue reading to view more images.

Read More

REPORT: Kia to drop Borrego for 2010

Kia will drop the Borrego for the 2010 model year after only a brief stint on the scene beginning in late 2008, according to The Car Connection. Introduced just as the auto industry began its longest winter in the wilderness (which actually began in the summer with a gas price spike and continued into fall’s financial crisis), the Borrego has had a rough go.

Kia moved only 9,510 units through November, less than half of what it expected in 2009 sales. It’s unclear if the Borrego will find life again after 2010, but the good news for consumers is that the ’09 model comes with incentives practically spilling from the trunk.

This includes $3,000 cash back on all trim levels, $1,500 for trading in a competitor’s vehicle (Buick Enclave, Pontiac Aztek, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and other SUVs all qualify), $1,500 for owner loyalty, $400 for recent college grads and $500 for military service, just to name the most relevant.

[Source: TheCarConnection]

Read More