Hyundai Premieres All-New Veloster Coupe, Curb Concept In Detroit

After a record-shattering sales performance in 2010, Hyundai is preparing to take things to the next level this year: The company introduced a new branding statement at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit, along with two equally new vehicles. It marks an important change in direction for the automaker, according to Hyundai vice chairman Euisun Chung.

“Today, customers do not believe that expensive cars with unnecessary technology are premium,” he said in a speech given in Detroit. “Instead, they want their core needs fulfilled at an accessible price and with a car that exceeds their expectations; a car that reflects their values and the times in which they live.

“Hyundai is not just a company that makes cars. Hyundai is a company that creates new possibilities. Our goal is not to become the biggest car company. Our goal is to become the most-loved car company and a trusted lifetime partner of our owners.”

That’s the impetus behind Hyundai’s fresh guiding principles, which are expressed as “New Thinking. New Possibilities.” The first fruits of this new strategy? The 2012 Hyundai Veloster three-door sports coupe and the Curb show vehicle, designed to showcase the look of a potential new Hyundai crossover.

Read more: http://www.hyundaiinthenews.com/hyundai-premieres-all-new-veloster-coupe-curb-concept-in-detroit/#more-811

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Daylight Savings Time Begins on March 13

 

Daylight savings time is coming up this weekend.  Don’t forget to set your clocks forward!

Every year, daylight savings time seems to take people by surprise. In the United States, daylight savings time begins on March 13 at 2 a.m. local time except in parts of Arizona and Hawaii. As the popular saying goes, clocks need to "spring forward" to observe the change. In other words, clocks need to be set ahead by one hour when the clock strikes 2 a.m.

Daylight Savings Time Begins on March 13 in the U.S. - Yahoo! News

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Hyundai Sonata is KBB.com’s “Most Noteworthy Success” Of 2010:

The 2011 Sonata closed out 2010 on another high note, with KBB.com—one of the most popular automotive-research sites on the web—recognizing Hyundai’s breakthrough sedan as one of the top 20 most-researched vehicles of the year. In fact, the Sonata jumped a full 24 spots as compared to its position on the 2009 list, reaching fifth place last year—a performance KBB.com editors called “the most noteworthy success story this year.” “Hyundai’s popular all-new Sonata helped to re-shuffle the deck among the top 20 most-researched new cars of 2010,” they continued, “knocking a few vehicles further down on the list compared to where they were last year.

 It’s a significant accomplishment, because the website’s high traffic has made it a leading indicator of future sales patterns. Just consider: Not only did the Sonata spark a flurry of interest among KBB.com visitors, but the automaker also was able to capitalize on this interest by selling more than 200,000 Sonatas in 2010—a new U.S. record for the nameplate. And the car got plenty of attention from industry third parties, too.



Read more: http://www.hyundaiinthenews.com/kbb-coms-most-noteworthy-success-of-2010-hyundai-sonata/

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Hyundai Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary in the United States

With gas prices at $1.20 per gallon, financing topping 10 percent APR and airbags emerging as the latest safety technology, the auto industry looked much different 25 years ago when Hyundai brought its car to the United States. Today, with a full line-up of award-winning products, Hyundai Motor America celebrated its 25th anniversary in the U.S. on February 20th, focused on the new challenges and exciting opportunities that the next 25 years will bring. 

Hyundai's heritage is built on earning the trust of its owners.  Every Hyundai sold since the 1999 model year comes with what remains the industry's best warranty – a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 5-year, 60,000-mile vehicle warranty. Over the years, Hyundai has partnered with its owners in deeper ways, through good and bad times, and now offers a comprehensive suite of programs under the Hyundai Assurance banner that includes America's Best Warranty, five years of unlimited mileage roadside assistance, and the innovative job-loss protection program. 

Read the full article: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyundai-celebrates-its-25th-anniversary-in-the-united-states-116591708.html

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Hyundai revamps its Genesis luxury sedan

Seems like only yesterday that Hyundai turned the luxury car market on its ear with its impressive Genesis sedan. So it makes us feel old to see that the original is already being refreshed.

Hyundai is giving Genesis a few exterior design improvements, new direct injection for its V-6 engine and a new eight-speed transmission. There's also a new special edition of the Genesis, the 5.0 R-Spec,with its 429-horsepower 5-liter V-8. That's it in the photo, above. It comes with unique 19-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned transmission and suspension and steering calibrations for performance driving.

Read the full article: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/02/hyundai-revamps-its-genesis-luxury-sedan/1

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Hyundai Hits 500K U.S. Sales For The First Time

It’s another day, another new sales record for Hyundai: After tallying up the figures through the beginning of December, Hyundai proudly announced that it had cracked the 500,000-sales mark in the U.S. for the first time in its history. Needless to say, this also meant a new annual sales record for the company, which had previously posted a best of 467,009 sales in 2007. In fact, the automaker’s analysts expect customers to snap up 530,000 new Hyundais before the end of the year.

“Hyundai’s sales continue to climb as more consumers become aware of our great products, high quality, the industry’s best warranty, and improving dealership experience,” said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president for national sales, Hyundai Motor America. “We expect our sales momentum to continue as we head into the new year with models like the new Elantra, the first of four planned 40-mpg Hyundai vehicles in our lineup, and our premium luxury sedan, Equus, just now starting to roll into showrooms.”

Read the full article: http://www.hyundaiinthenews.com/hyundai-hits-500k-u-s-sales-for-the-first time/#more-795

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Hyundai plans new Elantra coupe, revamped Azera

Hyundai will create a coupe version of its Elantra sedan and add a revised Azera near-luxury sedan over the next year, Automotive News says.  "They showed us a photo of it, and it's gorgeous," Doug Fox, a multifranchise dealer who owns a Hyundai dealership in Ann Arbor, Mich., is quoted by the News as saying about the Elantra coupe. "We weren't expecting that."

A new Azera has been expected for a while because the current one, shown above, is looking dated compared with the rest of the freshened line. Azera used to be Hyundai's most plush sedan, but it has since been eclipsed by the Genesis and Equus luxury sedans.

Read the full article: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/02/hyundai-azera-elantra-coupe/1

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