Korea: Hyundai releases cheaper Genesis trim

In the United States, you can purchase a Hyundai Genesis 3.8L V6 for $32,750 (34.3 million Won). In South Korea, the cheapest 3.8L Genesis trim - BH380 Royale - costs 52.8 million Won or US$50,480. Today, Hyundai released a less expensive counterpart of the Genesis BH380 Royale in South Korea.

Priced at 46.6 million Won (US$44,552), the BH380 Luxury is 6.2 million Won cheaper than the Royale trim. The Luxury trim still packs a slew of premium goodies such as heated rear seats, rear armrest with audio controls, push-button start with smart-key entry, and parking assist. The BH380 Luxury is powered by a 290 horsepower 3.8L Lambda V6. Sales have already commenced today.

[Source: Yonhap News]

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Korea: Infiniti releases redesigned New FX

Infiniti held a conference at Shilla Hotel in Seoul today where they unveiled the redesigned 2009 New FX crossover for the Korean market. The automaker simultaneously commenced sales of the car. The 2009 Infiniti New FX made its global debut last April at the Geneva International Motor Show.

The New FX is available in two configurations: FX35 and FX50. The former is propelled by a 307 horsepower 3.5L VQ35HR V6, while the latter gets a more powerful 390 horsepower 5.0L VK50VE V8 engine. Both powertrains are mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Both models also feature Infiniti's intelligent all-wheel drive system, dubbed ATTESA-ETS. To maximize handling, the New FX also packs Rear Active Steer (RAS). The New FX is also the first car in South Korea to feature the patented Scratch Shield Paint. The slew of technological innovations continue inside where the New FX benefits from items such as Infiniti's Around View Monitor, 11-speaker BOSE Premium Surround System, Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS), and a rear DVD entertainment system.

The FX35 is priced at 69 million Won (US$65,968). The FX50S is priced at 87.5 million Won (US$83,656).

[Source: MegaAuto]

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Honda selling strong in Korea

Honda is only inches away from holding the fifth largest market share in the Korean car industry, after Hyundai, Kia, Renault Samsung, and Ssangyong. In June, Honda Korea reported it sold 1,354 units, closely trailing Ssangyong with 1,902 units.

Honda sold 753 units of its most popular model, Accord. This edged out Ssangyong's best-selling car, the Chairman W, which sold 745 units. "In the case of Accord, supply has been short this year. But as the sales in the U.S. market declined, we are now able to meet the demands on time by importing cars assembled in Japan for export to the United States to the Korean market," a Honda Korea executive stated.

Analysts speculate that the Accord is bound to break the 1000/month record, and the 2000 mark for Honda. The latter is a feat no import automaker has achieved in Korea as of now.

[Source: Chosun Ilbo]

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Nigeria: Kia ranks second in imports

Kia Motors has ranked second in the amount of vehicles imported into Nigeria in the first quarter of the fiscal year. The report showed that 4,062 units of Kia vehicles were imported into the country, representing a 14.7% share of the Nigerian car market.

Toyota has ranked first with 11,130 units imported - an equivalent of a whopping 40.32% market share. Honda and Peugeot ranked third and fourth respectively. Kia Motors made its Nigerian debut in 2002 through Dana Motors. Since that, the automaker continuously rose to the top due to popular demand for its compact cars.

[Source: The Punch]

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USA: 2009 Kia Sportage to go on sale next month

Spy shots of the refreshed 2009 Kia Sportage have been posted throughout the web recently. Heavily camouflaged at the front and rear fascias, enthusiasts have been speculating as to how the new design would shape up. I ask why speculate when it has already been on sale for months in other markets? Already on sale in China, South Korea, and get this - Canada, the 2009 Kia Sportage will roll into U.S. showrooms next month.

The much-needed refresh brings about changes to the exterior and interior. The new Sportage gets a revised front fascia, revised headlights/taillights, body-colored bumpers, and new wheels. The interior receives a new center stack, new audio system, and USB/AUX ports. Powertrain options remain the same. Prices are likely to remain as well.

Continue reading to view more images of the USDM 2009 Kia Sportage.

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Reader Sighting: Notable Hyundai billboard in Chicago

A regular reader of TheCarBlogger, going by the alias of tiburonboy23, sent me an e-mail urging me to check out the attached image. It was of a "notable" Hyundai billboard located in Chicago. My first impression was probably along the same lines as many of you - "What the heck?" The image on the banner consists of a partly visible person dressed in Korean traditional garment facing a gargantuan Japanese sumo wrestler with a smug face. I discovered that once you get the jist of this, the image makes a very powerful statement.

To describe it in laymen's terms, the pygmy Koreans are determined to beat the Japanese giants. Had Hyundai posted this billboard a decade ago, we could only go so far as to lauding them for having at least the determination. Flash forward ten years later and it shows that the Koreans have become worthy opponents to the Japanese. Perhaps, flashing forward another ten years, we might see the tiny guy standing on top of the fallen wrestler. If Hyundai-Kia's recent #5 ranking of worldwide sales serves as an indication, that image has never looked clearer.

Editor's Note: What is your opinion of the billboard? Post a comment to share your thoughts.

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USA: Refreshed 2009 Hyundai Azera already in some dealers

If you head over to Hyundai's website, you will see no signs that a refreshed Azera is on the way very soon. Well, when I learned that the 2009 model year was going to bring some changes to the car, I had to find out how it looked like. The usual culprits such as Edmunds, Autoblog, and Leftlane did not turn up any information. Just when I decided to wrap things up, I discovered a plethora of 2009 Azera images on a Illinois Hyundai dealership website. They confirmed that the Azera will bring about exterior, interior, and mechanical changes for 2009. They also confirmed that Google is really your friend.

For 2009, the Azera receives a host of changes. A redesigned grille and a new selection of wheels make up the tweaks made outside. The interior gets a darker wood trim, new audio system, and blue interior lighting that is spreading throughout the Hyundai line-up. Hyundai has also made subtle changes to the car's underpinnings, and test drivers report a firmer suspension. This change was made in response to criticisms of the Azera's soft, wallowy suspensions that hindered its handling. Engine choices remain the same.

The 2009 Hyundai Azera is slated to be available in all dealerships by September. Though, if you want to nab one now and live in the Illinois area, head to Gartner Buick Hyundai Saab. At least on their website, they have loads of them in stock. See them in various colors on their site.

[Source: Gartner Buick Hyundai Saab (Aurora, IL)]

Continue reading to view more images of the Azera in Black Onyx Pearl.

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