USA: Hyundai-Kia tops 6% market share for the first time

Hyundai Kia Automotive Group has topped the 6% market share in the U.S. last month for the first time since its launch 22 years ago. The group sold 78 325 units last month, nabbing 6.6% share of the market. Hyundai also reached another milestone of selling over 50 000 units in a month for the first time in the country. The automaker sold 50 033 units, equalling to a 4.2% share of the market.

Hyundai-Kia reported a 3.5% increase in June sales. Considering the fact that total U.S. car sales had dropped 18.3%, this is an impressive record. Hyundai's top seller was the Sonata, in which 16 875 units rolled off showrooms this month. The Accent and Elantra also saw substantial increases of 70% and 50.6% respectively. On a more stale note, sales of the brand's sport-utility vehicles slipped considerably.

[Source: Chosun Ilbo]

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Korea: Volkswagen releases Tiguan

Volkswagen Korea began sales of the Tiguan compact sport-utility vehicle today. The Tiguan comes in one trim level for the market: Sports & Style. It is available in either diesel or petrol configuration.

The Tiguan is underpinned by Volkswagen's 4Motion four-wheel drive system. It is also the first car in the market to come standard with Park Assist. Park Assist aids the driver in parking via sensors. It detects an open parking spot and operates the steering wheel by itself. The driver is still required to control the accelerator/brake pedals and gear. The Tiguan is propelled by either a 140 horsepower 2.0L TDI diesel or a potent 200 horsepower 2.0L turbocharged TSI petrol engine. The former boasts a mileage rating of 12.2km/L (29MPG). The Tiguan also comes standard with a panoramic sliding sunroof.

The Tiguan 2.0TDI is priced at 41.7 million Won (US$39 878). The more powerful 2.0TSI is priced at 45.2 million Won (US$43 225). Head to the link for more images.

[Source: MegaAuto (Korean)]

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Video: Edmunds' take of the 2009 Kia Borrego

Edmunds has obtained a 2009 Kia Borrego for a test drive and the review is certainly positive. They tout that the Borrego is "better appointed than stand-bys like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder." Due to go on sale at the end of this month, the Borrego is a body-on-frame SUV with 7-seating capabilities and boasts an impressive 7500 lbs of towing capacity.

The Borrego provides two powertrain options: a 276 horsepower 267 lb-ft of torque 3.8L V6, and a 337 horsepower 323 lb.ft of torque 4.6L V8. The EPA mileage ratings for the V8 aren't out yet, but the rear-wheel drive V6 achieves 17 mpg city/21 mpg highway. The four-wheel drive V6 achieves 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway. Head over to Edmunds by clicking on the source to read the review.

[Source: Inside Line:Edmunds]

Continue after the jump to watch the video review.

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USA: Hyundai Santa Fe sales down 31%

Hyundai of America reported an increase of 1.3% in June sales compared to June of 2007. This was due to the skyrocketing demand for fuel-efficient cars, and not surprisingly, the Accent saw the largest growth margin of 70%. Sales of the Hyundai Santa Fe sport-utility vehicle, however, plunged 31% this month.

Sales dropped from 8 460 units in June 2007 to 5 863 units last month. Reiterating, the Santa Fe's sales dropped most likely because of its mileage ratings. The Santa Fe is manufactured in Montgomery, Alabama, alongside the mid-size Sonata.

[Source: Birmingham Business Journal]

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Revealed: 2009 Kia Forte

It has arrived. Kia Motors decided to pull it early and release the first official images of the 2009/10 Forte today. Acting as the replacement for the aging Spectra/Cerato compact, the Forte will roll into Korean showrooms on August 22.

The Forte was penned by acclaimed designer Peter Schreyer, who was responsible for designing the first-generation Audi TT and Volkswagen New Beetle. It is one of the brand's first models to carry its new sharper corporate look. One of the main elements of the new look is the corporate grille found on the KOUP Concept, KEE Concept, and now the Forte. The rear resembles the Hyundai Elantra and vaguely, the Lexus IS.

The Forte will be powered by a brand new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. A more powerful 2.0-liter 4-cyliner engine will be released after the launch. The Forte will roll into U.S. showrooms in 2009, and a two-door variant will follow some months later.

[Source: Kia]

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U.S. June Sales: Hyundai rises 1.3%, Kia 7.6%

Hyundai has announced that its U.S. sales increased 1.3% in June. The automaker sold 50 033 units in June 2008, compared to 49 368 units in June 2007. This increase has been due to escalating demand for fuel-efficient compact cars throughout the industry. The subcompact Accent saw a staggering 70% increase in sales this month, while Elantra sales soared 50.6%. Sales of the mid-size Sonata increased 11.9%. Sales so far this year have fallen 2.3%.

Kia has also reported an increase of 7.6% in U.S. sales this June. The brand has sold 28 292 units in that timespan. Reflecting Hyundai's cause for its sales surge, Kia's top selling vehicle was the compact Spectra with 7 131 units, followed by the mid-size Optima with 6 865 units. The Rio and Sedona also saw strong sales of 3 337 units and 3 719 units respectively.

[Source: Forbes]

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Kia.com ranks highest among manufacturer websites

According to a J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study released today, Kia.com ranks the highest in satisfying consumer needs among manufacturer websites. Each website was evaluated by new car consumers in four areas: appearance, speed, navigation and information/content.

Kia's website earned 872 points on a 1000-point scale, up nine points from the last study released in January 2008. Trailing behind were Ford's website (871 points) and Mazda's website (870 points).

"Over the years, Kia has successfully satisfied shoppers with its straightforward, intuitive Web site by providing pages that load quickly and that are easy to navigate," said Arianne Walker, director of marketing/media research at J.D. Power and Associates. "By focusing on these key aspects of the Web site experience, Kia has continually met the expectations of its customers. In fact, this marks the fourth time in 10 reporting waves that Kia has ranked highest."

[Source: SunHerald.com]

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