Hyundai opens first European plant in Czech Republic

Hyundai officially began production at its highly anticipated, EUR1.1 billion assembly line in Nosovice, Czech Republic. The new factory is Hyundai's first European venture.

The Hyundai plant will be the third largest car factory in the Czech Republic, a country heavily dependent on car production, after Volkswagen's unit Skoda Auto and TPCA, a joint venture of Toyota Motor Corp. and PSA Peugeot Citroen. The company expects to produce 18,000 Hyundai i30 cars in the factory this year, 200,000 next year and 300,000 in 2011. The plant, which will supply cars to European markets, employs 1,750 people. It expects to have 2,750 staff next year and 3,400 in 2011.

The i30 is the first vehicle to be built in the new plant and will take over the supply of i30s to the European market. The i30 was previously exported from the factory in Seoul.

Read More

Nissan officially enters South Korea

Nissan Korea officially marked its beginning in the South Korean market today at its launching event in Seoul. The initial line-up consists of the Murano and Rogue crossovers. Greg Phillips, the head of Nissan Korea, announced that other models, such as Altima and GT-R, will reach Korean shores by next year.

Simultaneously with the launch of the brand, Nissan opened four official dealerships located in Seoul, Bundang, and Busan. A fifth dealer was also announced for the first-half of 2009. The brand introduced a "3S" mantra: Sales, Service, and Spare parts. As Nissan shares close ties with the prominent brand Renault-Samsung, all Nissan vehicles can be serviced at all nine Renault-Samsung A/S centers across South Korea. Phillips stated that Nissan aims to nab a 10 percent market share of the import-car segment in South Korea by 2015.

The Rogue is available in three trims: 2WD, 4WD Deluxe, and 4WD Premium. The trio is respectively priced at a segment-busting 29.9 million Won (USD$22,535), 34.6 million Won (USD$26,078), and 35.9 million Won (USD$27,058). The Murano is priced at 48.9 million Won (USD$36,856).

[Source: BobaeDream]

Read More

Lincoln releases MKS in Korea

Ford Korea has released the 2009 Lincoln MKS to the South Korean market today. The MKS is the flagship model of the Lincoln Korea line-up, which also consists of the MKX crossover and MKZ sedan.

The MKS packs a plethora of premium features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, SecuriCode™ keyless entry, Adaptive HID Headlamps, Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System, voice-activated Microsoft SYNC™ infotainment system, and THX II-grade 12-channel 16-speaker 600-watt premium sound system with 10-inch subwoofer. The MKS is powered by a new 3.7L Duratec V6 that churns out 277 horsepower. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Perhaps the most attractive and groundbreaking part of the MKS is its retail price. The MKS is priced at 55.2 million Won (USD$42,856), which is a shattering blow to the import and domestic luxury car segment in Korea. Comparatively, the Ssangyong Chairman W(w/ 3.6L 250 hp) goes for 63 million Won, Hyundai Genesis BH330 (w/ 3.3L 262 hp) for 55 million Won, and GM Daewoo Veritas (w/ 3.6L 252 hp) for over 58 million Won.

[Source: Ford Sales&Service Korea]

Follow the jump for more images.

Read More

From the Spies: 2010 Hyundai "VI"

Model: 2010 Hyundai "VI" (code-name)
Predecessor: Hyundai Equus/Centennial
Speculated engines: 290 hp 3.8L Lambda V6 & 375 hp 4.6L Tau V8 & 5.0L V8 (est. 400+ hp)
Release date: February 2009 (No plans for U.S./Europe)

Continue reading to view more images.

Read More

EXCLUSIVE: Official Images of USDM Kia Soul

Yet to appear on Kia's Media website, we have the first official images of the American-spec 2010 Kia Soul. Due to go on sale in April 2009, Kia is pitting its stylish box against the Honda Element, Scion xB, and the upcoming Nissan Cube. As well, Kia is expected to price the Soul very competitively.

Penned by Peter Schreyer - the renowned car designer responsible for bringing the Audi TT and Audi's Bauhaus look to life - the Soul is Kia's boldest offering in terms of design ever, as evident from the slew of striking design elements such as the sleek front fascia and the bulging wheel arches. The eye catching theme continues inside with the sporty interior and the evident attention to detail judging from the official images.

While an array of engines including a frugal VGT diesel is available elsewhere in the world, Kia will pack a potent 142 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline engine standard in every Soul. A five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic is available. In addition to the expected slew of features in the Soul, Kia will offer an unprecedented choice of customizations and accessories for the Soul - similar to Scion's method that has met well with the Gen-Y crowd.

We have also included pictures of a test drive/media event for the USDM Soul that Kia hosted in Korea. Follow the jump to view more images.

Read More

From the Spies: 2010 Kia Sorento (XM)

"From the Spies" is a new feature at TheCarBlogger where spy shots hot off the press are posted regularly in a short manner. Thus, the post contains the spy shots that you probably visited us for and quick facts about the mule, such as model name, speculated powertrain options, and unveiling date. - Ed.

Model: 2010 Kia Sorento (XM)
Speculated engines: 3.8L Lambda V6 (est. 270 hp) & 3.0L VGT turbodiesel & 2.4L Theta II 4-cyl. (est. 170 hp) & 2.2L turbodiesel 187 bhp
Release date: Q2 2009

More images after the jump.

Read More

Quick News: Hyundai releases i30 cw in S. Korea

Hyundai Motor has begun sales of the i30 cw today in South Korea. The i30 Hatchback has been selling very well in the automaker's domestic market and Hyundai hopes the more spacious and practical "cw" will only add to the momentum. Standard features include 17-inch chrome-insert alloy wheels, turn signal exterior mirrors, smart key, and roof rack.

The i30 cw is available in three powertrain configurations: 1.6L Gamma 4-cylinder, 2.0L Beta 4-cylinder, and a 1.6L diesel 4-cylinder. Hyundai eyes the Peugeot 308SW as its main competition for the i30 cw. Prices range from 15.07 million Won (US$11,800) for 1.6L Trendy (petrol) to 19.35 million Won (US$15,151) for 1.6L Luxury (diesel w/ std. AT).

[Source: Hyundai]

Read More