Korea: GMDAT releases Winstorm MAXX

GM Daewoo unveiled the compact crossover, Winstorm MAXX, yesterday and commenced sales of the car. The MAXX is a rebadged variant of the Opel/Vauxhall Antara, which is sold in Europe. The Saturn Vue and Holden Captiva MAXX are also badge-engineered versions of the Antara. Alongside the Winstorm MAXX, GMDAT also began sales of the Winstorm 2.4L gasoline model.

The Winstorm MAXX is feature-laden with items such as 3-level heated driver's seat, automatic climate control, auto lighting control, front and rear parking sensors, headlight washers, and cooled glovebox. It is powered by a 150 horsepower 2.0L common-rail turbodiesel engine (VCDi). The engine meets Euro 4 emission standards. It is mated to a 5-speed automatic and boasts a fuel economy of 11.3km/liter.

The Winstorm MAXX, which goes on sale today in South Korea, is priced at 28.83 million Won ($27 543USD) to 29.96 million Won ($29 127USD).

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Canada: Hyundai prices Genesis from $37 995

Hyundai Auto Canada has announced that its all-new premium sedan, the 2009 Genesis, will start at $37,995 with a V6 engine and $43,995 for a V8.

“This is a luxury car without a luxury price,” said John Vernile, vice-president, sales and marketing. “With the 2009 Genesis, we wanted to demonstrate that Hyundai can offer all the quality consumers demand from a vehicle today, all the equipment they deserve, and all the power they could want. We are proud to offer a vehicle with the amenities, driving character and performance people would expect from Japanese or European luxury vehicles at a more motivating price. With this pricing, the Genesis will make a premium driving experience accessible to a wide range of deserving customers.”

The Azera, which serves as the automaker's flagship sedan until the Genesis' arrival, tops out at $39 195 for the Limited. In other words, the Genesis is priced fairly competitively as it packs more features than that car. The Genesis is slated to go on sale this July.

[Source: Hyundai Canada]

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India: Hyundai Santro #1 in Vehicle Dependability Study by J.D. Power

The Hyundai Santro has been adjudged the the number one position in compact car segment in the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) by JD Power Asia Pacific 2008. The JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study, conducted for the first time in India, ranks vehicles within eight market segments. Only original owners of cars that had been on the road for 30 to 42 across various segments were evaluated under the study.

Hyundai Motor India Managing Director H S Lheem said, "This is deeply satisfying, especially as the JD Power Asia-Pacific study is one of the most esteemed and reliable studies, renowned for its total objectivity. The Santro's success in being ranked as the best compact car only confirms our commitment to quality.'

The 2008 India Vehicle Dependability Study is based on evaluations from nearly 4,700 owners who purchased a new vehicle between July 2004 and September 2005. The Hyundai Santro has sold over 1.3 million units both in the domestic as well as the overseas market. The Santro has been exported to around 70 countries. Note that the above image depicts the Santro's successor - Santro Xing.

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India: Hyundai i10 reaches 100 000 milestone in exports

Hyundai Motor India, the country's second largest passenger car manufacturer and the largest exporter, today announced that its recently launched i10 - produced in the automaker's Chennai plant - has already crossed the export milestone of 100,000 cars. The Hyundai i10 that made its global debut in October 2007, reached an export volume of 106,749 units and has been shipped to 98 countries.

H. S. Lheem, managing director, Hyundai Motor India said, "Even in the domestic market the demand is very strong with sales of over 65,000 units and to meet the expectations of both the markets we are trying very hard to produce as many i10s as possible."

[Source: Hyundai]

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2009 Hyundai Sonata awarded "Interior of the Year" by Ward's Auto

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata was named an “Interior of the Year” award winner in the category of “Best Redesign” at the annual “Automotive Interior of the Year Awards” conducted by Ward’s Auto World magazine.

“This award is particularly gratifying for our team, who started with a world-class car, listened to customer feedback telling us they wanted an improved interior, and went to work to make the 2009 Hyundai Sonata stand up and stand out against every other car in its class,” said Dan Vivian, Hyundai Motor America’s director of Design Engineering.

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata redesign was led by the team at Hyundai’s America Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) in Superior Township, Mich. HATCI’s role is to design, develop and test Hyundai products sold in North America. The 2009 Sonata was the first Hyundai product program led by the team in North America. The Sonata is built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, near Montgomery.

[Source: Hyundai]

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Hyundai Azera named a Consumer's Top Rated Sedan by Edmunds.com

The 2008 Hyundai Azera was awarded the “Consumers’ Top Rated Vehicle Award” in the $15,000 - $25,000 sedan category by Edmunds.com’s visitors. The 2008 Azera received the average highest rating from the site’s audience as of April 30, 2008.

Edmunds.com tabulated the results for 21 award categories by evaluating the feedback of thousands of site visitors. Awards were given for coupes, convertibles, sedans, wagons, SUVs, trucks, minivan/vans and hybrids. Edmunds.com’s editors agree that Azera is a great choice for consumers looking for a family sedan with luxurious touches at an affordable price

[Source: Hyundai]

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Kia releases sketch of next-gen Spectra, renamed "Forte"

Kia Motors released the first official sketch of the successor to the Spectra, renamed "Forte", due this coming August.

The Forte will be one of the automaker's first model to showcase Kia's new family look. It has been showcased in the past by concepts such as the Kue Concept, and the Kee Concept. It was not announced whether Kia will retain the Spectra nomenclature for the North American market.

[Source: Kia]

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