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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Sonata, an Automotive Best Buy

Choosing the 2011 “Automotive Best Buys” was no easy task for the editors at Consumers Digest. They put more than 250 different vehicles through their paces, paying close attention to both design factors—like styling, ergonomics, accessories and amenities, and fit and finish—as well as performance characteristics—such as acceleration, steering, ride quality, transmission quality and functionality, and fuel economy. But as tough as it was, it takes this kind of rigorous testing to help ensure the publication’s honors only go to vehicles that truly are “Best Buys”—including the Hyundai Genesis sedan and Hyundai Sonata.

The Genesis was recognized for its value in the Luxury Car segment, thanks to its wealth of standard content and intelligent approach to pricing. Consider: Although the Genesis has seen 16 consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases through October, Hyundai didn’t rest on its laurels for 2011. Instead, the company made its range-topping Genesis 4.6 an even better value for the new model year. Power in the car’s responsive 4.6-liter V8 was increased by 10 horsepower, helping the 385-hp mill shave .4 seconds off the car’s 0-60 time—which is now a scant 5.3 seconds. In addition, all the optional content from last year’s Technology package is now standard on the Genesis 4.6.

Read the full article at: http://www.hyundaiinthenews.com/hyundai-sonata-genesis-named-automotive-best-buys/#more-734

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Car and Driver, "Its greatness is undeniable"

The amazing 2011 Hyundai Sonata, one of America’s best-selling cars, is now one of America’s 10Best Cars, period. That’s per the editors of Car and Driver, who made the Sonata the very first Hyundai to achieve this prestigious honor. The simple reason: “Its greatness is undeniable.”
Consider: The Sonata offers the most standard horsepower in its class (200 hp), gets the best fuel efficiency (35 mpg highway), comes with the lowest base price ($19,195), was the first to holster a direct-injection four-cylinder engine and, according to C&D, is also “best-in-class attractive.” Other Sonata features lauded by the magazine include its “very reasonably sized back seat and generous trunk,” standard six-speed automatic transmission, and a high-quality interior with standard Bluetooth and XM Radio.

Read the article at: http://www.hyundaiinthenews.com/hyundai-sonata-named-to-car-and-drivers-2011-10best-cars-list/#more-739

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