Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
2012 Hyundai Veloster Honored for Its Style by eCityofStyle
The 2012 Veloster, a unique, three-door coupe, marks the second consecutive year the Korean manufacturer has won an award. The Hyundai Equus, the brand's halo vehicle, was the recipient of an auto style award for the 2011 model year.
“Gone are the days of Hyundai's budget car status. Today, the Korean automaker is a legitimate threat to the establishment, designing cars that look considerably more expensive than they really are,” said eCityofStyle editors in a news release. “The Veloster is perhaps Hyundai's most successful execution of its new design language, called Fluidic Sculpture. From the tight front end to the sculpted side creases to the powerful wheel arches, the Veloster's exterior is both aggressive and sleek.”
eCityofStyle.com and eCityofTravel.com are for fashion-conscious consumers and discerning travelers. eCityofStyle.com informs readers about the latest fashion and design trends in a user-friendly format that is organized in easy-to-navigate sections such as Her, Him, Home, Life, Auto and Xtra (a special feature & celebrity-driven events section).
“With Veloster, we want to show consumers that high style and reasonable pricing can go hand in hand,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Veloster stands out from the crowd with a stylish yet functional design. We’re honored that eCityofStyle is recognizing the beautiful design and unique personality of the car.”
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Hyundai Elantra Wins ALG Residual Value Award for Second Year in a Row
"The Elantra's eye-catching sporty profile and upscale interior, combined with Hyundai's increasing image of quality, earn the model its second consecutive win in the Compact Car segment," said Raj Sundaram, ALG. "High demand and minimal incentives also help it nab the top spot."
Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing and marketing strategies remain the key factors that affect ALG's residual value forecasts.
"Hyundai's Elantra stands out in the competitive compact segment, offering innovation, content, style, and 40 mpg highway standard fuel economy," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Strong residual value is an important element in Hyundai's overall value equation, reducing the overall cost of ownership and allowing us to offer customers the Hyundai Assurance Trade-In Value Guarantee."
The Trade-In Value Guarantee is the newest addition to the Hyundai Assurance suite of programs. It eliminates concern about depreciation by giving Hyundai owners a guaranteed value for their vehicle in months 24 through 48 of ownership.
The 2012 Elantra sets the bar in the compact sedan category offering a "class-above" midsize car interior volume, modern design, outstanding fuel economy, and loads of comfort and convenience features, all at an attractive starting price. Elantra also delivers standard advanced safety technologies including a new Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system to optimally manage Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS).
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Hyundai Contributes More Than $7 Billion to National Economy
“The importance of this study is directly related to the importance of foreign direct investment and operations in the sustainability of the overall automotive industry in the U.S.,” said Kim Hill, director of the Sustainability and Economic Strategies group at CAR, and the study’s lead. “While the domestic auto industry restructured and contracted in recent years, international manufacturers have continued to expand their U.S. operations. Hyundai’s growth, and the expansion of its product development and manufacturing capabilities in the U.S., has outpaced the industry and other major manufacturers. When taken together with its sister company Kia, Hyundai accounts for more than one-third of the South Korean direct investment and capital spending in the U.S.”
According to the study, of the total 94,000 jobs created by Hyundai, approximately one-third – or 33,000 – is supported by the automaker’s direct employment in its manufacturing-related activities in the U.S. Associated wages and salaries are estimated at $2.4 billion. Hyundai’s dealerships support the remaining 61,000 jobs, with associated wages and benefits estimated at $3.5 billion.
“The study confirms that Hyundai’s expanding U.S. operations are creating and retaining jobs, thereby having a significant impact on the country’s economy,” said Hill. “U.S. auto industry jobs that are related to Hyundai tend to be very well compensated, leading to higher than average household spending and tax payments impacts.”
Key findings of the report include:
Industry
- Over the past two decades, the U.S. automotive industry has been transformed by billions in new direct investments domestically as well as from Asia and Europe. Much of the foreign direct investment has gone to areas of the country that were not traditional locations for automotive employment, in effect, stretching the footprint of the U.S. auto industry.
- Hyundai’s operations are a significant contributor to those states in which the company operates a number of facilities, notably its headquarters operations in California, automotive manufacturing in Alabama, and research and development in Michigan.
Earnings and Employment
- By choosing to sell and produce in the U.S. market, Hyundai has created jobs not only at its own facilities, but supports jobs across the automotive industry, extending into nearly every community in the nation.
- Hyundai’s U.S. operations contribute a total of 94,391 private sector jobs, with $5.9 billion in annual wages and salaries.
-
- Of the total 94,391 jobs, 33,313 are supported by employment in Hyundai’s U.S. manufacturing-related activities, with associated wages and salaries estimated at $2.4 billion. Hyundai’s dealerships in the U.S. support the remaining 61,078 private sector jobs, with associated wages and salaries of approximately $3.5 billion.
- Of the 33,313 jobs supported by employment in Hyundai’s U.S. manufacturing-related activities, Hyundai directly employs 4,116 employees and 1,083 Hyundai affiliate partner employees, for a total of 5,199 direct jobs. Hyundai’s direct employment supports an additional 9,074 intermediate jobs and 19,040 spin-off jobs, which are associated with spending by the people who work in Hyundai’s direct and intermediate jobs.
- Of the 61,078 total dealership jobs, 27,938 are new vehicle dealer employees, while 10,641 jobs are associated with suppliers to the Hyundai dealerships. An additional 22,499 spin-off jobs are a result of the spending by employees who work at direct and intermediate dealership jobs.
- The ratio of total jobs created to direct employment by Hyundai yields an employment multiplier of 6.4, meaning there are 5.4 additional jobs in the U.S. economy for every one job in Hyundai’s automotive manufacturing operations.
- The ratio of total jobs created to direct employment in Hyundai dealership operations is 2.2, meaning there are 1.2 additional jobs in the U.S. economy for every one job in Hyundai’s dealership operations.
Investment and Purchasing
- Hyundai, though a relatively new entrant into U.S. manufacturing, has already made substantial investments in its U.S. manufacturing infrastructure. Over the past decade, Hyundai, together with Kia, has invested nearly $3 billion at two assembly sites. These investments include construction of two assembly plants, as well as expansions at both facilities, including $443 million for engine plant expansions at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.
- Hyundai has invested in numerous R&D, design and technical centers, service parts distribution operations, administrative operations, logistics centers and a U.S. proving ground.
- Hyundai’s expenditures on domestically-produced materials, parts and components to supply its automotive manufacturing facilities exceeded $8 billion in 2010.
“Hyundai is proud of our American success story, and of what our growth and job creation have meant to the U.S. economy, automotive industry and American automotive workers,” said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor America. “With the majority of vehicles Hyundai sells in the U.S. now produced here, we are primed for continued investment and employment in the U.S.”
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Facelifted Hyundai Genesis Coupe Officially Debuts In Korea
As the dozens of spy photos indicated, the latest Genesis Coupe receives a makeover to bring it more in line with Hyundai’s recent design language. A new front fascia incorporates a large hexagonal grille opening, along with new Veloster-like headlamps and LED running lights mounted above the fog lamps. Revisions aft of the A-pillars aren’t as extensive, although the new car does receive a few new character lines on its rear fenders, along with new taillamp assemblies.
But the new Genesis Coupe is more than a simple cosmetic refresh. Korean-spec Genesis Coupe models are still available with either a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 and a 3.8-liter V-6, but both engines have been heavily worked over to improve efficiency and, perhaps more importantly, increase power.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 gains a twin-scroll turbocharger and a larger intercooler– both of which help boost output from 210 horsepower and 223 pound-feet of torque in the old car to 271 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. That’s a respectable increase of 61 hp and 52 lb-ft.
Meanwhile, the 3.8-liter V-6 is the latest addition to Hyundai’s range of direct-injection engines. Adding GDI to the Lambda V-6 helped bump power from 283 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque to 345 horsepower and 295 pound-feet.
Hyundai says that the V-6 cars receive an optional eight-speed automatic transmission, which promises “more dynamic driving performance.” We wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the car will continue to offer the existing six-speed manual transmission as well.
Hyundai’s U.S. wing has remained mum on details on the U.S.-spec car, but seeing as the revised 2013 Genesis Coupe is expected to debut Stateside in the next few months, expect those figures to break shortly.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Sport compacts rule the Hyundai display at SEMA 2011
The big unveiling for Hyundai at the 2011 SEMA Show was the Rhys Millen Racing designed Hyundai Genesis Coupe RM500 which packed the power of the Tau 5.0L V8 into the sleek 2-door but around the Hyundai display, show goers got a look at the Genesis Coupe and the Veloster hatchback modified for both style and performance. Hyundai also included a gaming area featuring Forza Motorsport 4 with two stations, allowing gamers a chance to go head to head in fast paced racing action while being surrounded by the modded up Korean sports cars.
The new Hyundai Veloster was designed to be a “green” sport compact that leaned more towards the green side of things than the performance side but the company is quick to point out that they stressed sport as much as they did efficiency and economy. This was bolstered by company CEO John Krafcik announcing that the Veloster will soon be benefitting from a new 1.6L turbocharged engine option and while the company is keeping the actual specs of the new boosted mill a secret for now, Hyundai offered a spread of tuned Veloster models that helped top reinforce the sporty nature of this innovative 4-door hatch. This spread of modded Velosters included one that took the look of a rally car with help from ARK Performance which, coincidentally, had a turbocharged 1.6L Gamma 4-cylinder that offers 210 horsepower. Hyundai also brought out a handful of less modified Veloster models including one that was fitted up to be the ultimate gamers car. Finally, no celebration of the Veloster’s performance capabilities would be complete without Rhys Millen’s super-modified rallycross Veloster sponsored by Red Bull.
The main attraction when it came to the Genesis Coupe was the 449 horsepower RM500 version but Hyundai also brought out the powerful Genesis Hurricane SC Coupe (shown on the right) which uses the 3.8L V6 from the standard production version of the 2-door sports car fitted with a Magnusson supercharger package to pound out some 450 horsepower. The Hurricane SC is also clad in a unique body dressing to make it stand out in the crowd but the biggest news pertains to the high performance modifications. In addition to the blower that helps pack enough power to tackle the top muscle cars on the market, Hyundai built this Coupe up with various Rhys Millen Racing components including an intake and exhaust package to boost the output – also adding a performance suspension and braking package to make sure that it corners as well as it accelerates.
Hyundai has made great strides in working their way into the performance market in the US and at the 2011 SEMA Show, the Korean automaker showed that while they are among the most fuel efficient brands in the US – their cars also have a distinctly sporty side.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Hyundai Confirms 204-HP Veloster Turbo Will Debut In Detroit
Krafcik confirmed the hot hatch last night while at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and – as he often does – sent a tweet to Hyundai’s Twitter feed announcing the car's debut in Detroit. That’s ironic, considering the company used the same account last week to downplay the possibility of a turbo Veloster.
We already knew that this car was coming, and even have a good idea of what will power the veloce Veloster. Just two weeks ago, the automaker took the wraps off of a turbocharged version of the 1.6-liter Gamma inline-four cylinder that is in the current Veloster. That new turbo mill should be good for around 204 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, which is a significant improvement over the 138 hp and 123 lb-ft produced by the of the naturally aspirated engine.
Just as with the rest of its competitors, we expect that the Veloster Turbo will send all of its power through the front wheels. Expect transmission options to mirror those of the base Veloster, with either a six-speed manual or Hyundai’s all-new six-speed dual-clutch. No word yet on whether or not the more powerful engine will affect the Veloster’s 40 mpg highway rating, but don’t be surprised if those figures decrease slightly.
With 204 hp, the Veloster Turbo will sit mid-pack along with other hot hatches. It will best the Mini Cooper S (181 hp), the Volkswagen GTI 200 hp), and the Honda Civic Si (201 hp), although it won’tbe quite as powerful as the Mazdaspeed3 (263 hp) and Subaru WRX (265 hp).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)