Limited Edition Hyundai Genesis Coupe GT for Germany

The German division of Hyundai has just unveiled a limited edition Genesis Coupe GT developed specifically for the local market. Wearing a price tag of EUR41,990 (about $59,800 at the current exchange rates), the car will come in a limited number of units. In fact, only 50 cars will be available for the interested German customers only.

The special edition was inspired by the Hyundai Schuhmann Motor Sport Team that raced a Genesis Coupe at the 24-hr endurance race at the Nürburgring in June, sporting a silver and blue livery.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe GT comes equipped with a 3.8 liter V6 engine with a total output of 303 horsepower and 361 Nm (266 lb.ft.) of torque. The unit propels the GT from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds and allows it to go on to a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph).

A bespoke stainless steel quad-exhaust has also been fitted, while the suspension is lowered by 30 mm. The car sits on unique OZ Ultraleggera 19-inch wheels in Matt Graphite Silver, which are also equipped to the limited edition Genesis, and that are wrapped in Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tires.



[Source: Hyundai]

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First Street Shots of US-Spec 2012 Kia Rio

More images after the jump!


[Source: PrideClub.kr]

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Hyundai: Canada's Best Selling Passenger Car Brand in July

Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. announced today the company was Canada's best-selling passenger car brand in July and remains the leader year-to-date. In the month of July Hyundai sold 12,753 units, representing a 10.9% increase over the same month last year and setting a new company record for the month. The company has now achieved 31 consecutive months of year-over-year sales growth. July was also the third consecutive month with Hyundai positioned as best-selling import company.

Year-to-date sales have increased 10.5% to 81,474 units.

"One of the key elements to Hyundai's success has been delivering products with the right mix of quality, style, value and fuel efficiency," said Steve Kelleher, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "With this focus, the company has been able to develop a number of all-new products in a variety of segments that have really caught the attention of Canadian buyers. That balanced approach has led to a balanced sales sheet where the company's sales volume isn't dependent on one particular model. This approach has helped us achieve the title of best-selling passenger car brand in Canada."

As part of the company's commitment to leading the industry in fuel efficiency, Hyundai Canada is also announcing the sales figures of vehicles that achieve a rating better than 5.0 L/100 km (40 US miles per gallon). "Where cars that consume less than 5.0 litres of fuel per 100 km used to be reserved for a select few subcompacts, Hyundai today offers a subcompact, compact and intermediate sedan that surpass the new threshold for excellent fuel economy," Kelleher said.

In July, no less than 40.4% of sales were from Hyundai vehicles that consume less than 5.0 L/100 km. The Sonata Hybrid intermediate sedan, Elantra compact sedan and Accent subcompact consume fuel at a respective rate of just 4.6, 4.9 and 4.8 L/100km on the highway.

[Source: Hyundai Canada]

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USA: Hyundai Reports Increases for July Sales

Hyundai Motor America today announced sales of 59,561 vehicles in July, a 10 percent increase compared with the same period a year ago. This represents an all-time sales record for both the month of July and the first seven months of the year for Hyundai, breaking the marks set last year. This also marks the seventh consecutive month that Hyundai has set an all-time monthly sales record.

Year to date, Hyundai sales are up 23 percent versus 2010 in total, and up 36 percent at retail. Sales to fleet accounts represent nine percent of the total sales year-to-date and 10 percent for the month of July. Thirty-eight percent of Hyundai vehicles sold in July achieved 40 MPG fuel economy ratings.

"Consumer demand continues to be robust across the board for Hyundai, particularly with our imposing sedan line-up of Accent, Elantra, and Sonata Hybrid all delivering on our 40 MPG promise," said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America's executive vice president of national sales. "Accent sales are up an astounding 75 percent in the first full month of deliveries and our new sub-compact is expected to become the top selling nameplate at retail in its segment for July."

The Genesis' sustained growth trajectory continued with July representing the 25th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases with a lift of 53 percent over last July. The flagship Equus is up 37 percent versus June and set an all-time sales record. The U.S.-built Sonata and Santa Fe also saw increases of 17 and 15 percent, respectively.

CARLINE JULY/2011 JULY/2010 CY/2011 CY/2010

ACCENT 6,938 3,960 30,956 31,038
SONATA 20,884 17,836 135,898 107,085
ELANTRA 15,181 18,215 118,482 75,779
SANTA FE 8,119 7,047 42,940 51,423
AZERA 144 218 1,239 1,799
TUCSON 3,479 3,698 27,016 23,387
VERACRUZ 997 823 5,162 4,177
GENESIS 3,517 2,309 18,971 15,200
EQUUS 302 0 1,694 0
TOTAL 59,561 54,106 382,358 309,888

[Source: Hyundai Motor America]

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Kia's US Sales Jump 36% in Second Quarter

Kia Motors announced its has increased its sales on the global market by 21 percent in the period between April to June. However, a much more note-worthy result was achieved by the South Korean carmaker on American soil, where the company reported an impressive 67 percent increase in profits and 36 percent in sales, due to demand for the Optima sedan and Sportage SUV.

According to Bloomberg, sales momentum in the US will slip in the third quarter, as Japanese automakers return production to normal levels after the March earthquake. “As long as the company retains the current sales volume, the impact on profits will not be that big,” said said Yim Eun Young, an analyst at Dongbu Securities. “What Kia has to look out for in the second half is the impact of the strong Korean currency.”

However, this doesn’t actually mean sales will not be as impressive, because the company announced last month that it would increase its overall targets for the year. US production of the Optima at the company’s plant in Georgia starting in September is sure to create better supply, which should translate into bottom line figures.

The sales of vehicles produced in the U.S. almost doubled in the second quarter from year earlier, according to the carmaker. Kia’s market share also rose to 3.9 percent in the first half from 3 percent a year earlier, the company said today.

The company’s global sales rose to 621,000 units in the April to June period, 21 percent more than the previous year. This was also helped by an 18 percent increase in China, where 190,000 units were delivered.

[Source: Reuters]

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Hyundai's Alabama Plant Rolls Out One Millionth Sonata

Hyundai marked an important milestone today at its Montgomery, Alabama plant. Its one millionth Sonata — a Silver 2012 2.0T Limited — rolled off the line at the Montgomery plant Friday morning.

"I am so proud of everything our team members have accomplished in the past six years, eclipsing 1,000,000 total vehicles manufactured in November 2009, producing more than 300,000 vehicles in 2010 and now our 1,000,000th Sonata," president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) Young Deuk Lim said in a written statement.

The Sonata is Hyundai’s top seller in America. Earlier this month, Hyundai announced an all-time sales record for both the month of June and in the first half of the year.

HMMA has produced three different vehicles since its opening in 2005: the Sonata, Santa Fe and Elantra. The plant has about 2,500 employees and has built more than 1.4 million vehicles.

[Source: Hyundai]

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Redesigned 2012 Hyundai Azera to Make U.S. Debut at L.A. Auto Show

Hyundai’s upscale 2012 Azera sedan will debut at the Los Angeles auto show this November. The redesigned Azera will feature the brand’s “fluidic sculpture” design, a vast improvement over the tame current design...

“We’re in the final stages of ride/handling tuning for the 2012 Azera, and it’s dialing in nicely. Look out for it at the LA Auto Show,” said John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America.

Both powertrain specifics and pricing details for the 2012 Azera have not been announced, but a new 3.3-liter direct injection V6 engine is expected to be implemented. Power is likely to be around 300-hp mated to a front-wheel drive system. Hyundai is hoping the FWD setup will appeal to buyers in cold-weather states where the Genesis’ rear-wheel drive system can be a deal breaker. Pricing will likely be around $26,270, above the Sonata ($20, 455) and below the Genesis ($35,050).

Hyundai is excited about the Azera redesign, and expects the vehicle to sell very well. The Korean automaker has said the potential exists to sell 18,000 to 20,000 units annually after the redesign.

[Source: Automotive News]

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