Hyundai to build Kia Venga in Europe

Hyundai to build Kia's B-segment van called Venga at its European plant!

Hyundai has announced it will soon begin producing the Venga, a B-segment MPV, from Kia Motors at its Czech manufacturing plant located in a city called Nosovice. Kia has officially launched Venga at the Frankfurt Auto Show last week and will start selling it in December.

Kia Venga will be the third model to be built in the plant after the five-door i30 hatch and i30 wagon and will be marketed exclusively for the European market. In 2011, Kia Venga will be followed by another model, possibly a Venga clone that Hyundai plans to introduce in that year.

Hyundai's B-segment MPV model will be built on the same platform as Kia Venga and will share many of its powertrain components, such as diesel and gasoline engines, and transmissions. To differentiate it from Kia's Venga, Hyundai will incorporate its latest design language, which has been first seen on the 2010 ix35, to the newcomer. The model is expected to be the same size as its major rivals: Opel's upcoming Meriva, Nissan Note and Renault Modus.

When Hyundai adds the fourth model to production lines, the plant will churn out 300.000 vehicles per year.

Hyundai ix-Metro

Say hello to the latest Hyundai concept car, called ix-Metro. A few hours ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show we are bringing you a close-up image, previewing the prototype car with two hot chicks standing by. All of them look hot, don't they!

About the ix-Metro

Hyundai designers describe the ix-Metro as a CUV ( City Utility Vehicle). The prototype is powered by Hyundai's new hybrid powertrain with 1.0-litre three-cylinder gasoline engine that uses continuously variable valve timing, direct injection and a turbo along with a torque boost from its battery. The engine delivers 123 horsepower and emits only 80g/km of CO2 emissions.
The engine of the Hyundai ix-Metro is coupled with the company's latest six-speed dual clutch transmission.

More news about the ix-Metro and other Hyundai hybrid cars will be published later today! Stay tuned...

Hyundai wants hydrogen infrastructure to be built by 2015

Hyundai Motor Co. has announced it has joined Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda Motor Co,, Ltd,, Renault, Toyota and Nissan to urge world's governments and especially energy companies to speed up development of easily accessible and affordable hydrogen infrastructure to ensure the successful introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) into the marketplace.

World's leading automakers announced that they addressed a Letter of Understanding to all major oil and energy companies and government organizations to call on these organizations to propel the development of hydrogen refuelling stations around the world.

"A hydrogen infrastructure network with sufficient density is required by 2015 and the network should be built-up from metropolitan areas via corridors into area-wide coverage." The companies "strongly support the idea of building-up a hydrogen infrastructure in Europe, with Germany as starting point and at the same time developing similar concepts for the market penetration of hydrogen infrastructure in other regions of the world.

Fuel cell electric vehicles are part of Hyundai's "Blue Drive" strategy, which will bring to market a wide range of eco-friendly products and technologies designed to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

Hyundai's FCEV program has been gaining momentum with plans in place to start limited series production by 2012. Hyundai plans to expand its demo fleet of FCEV's to 200 units by 2010, including SUVs and city buses, then slowly ramp up production starting in 2012.

As a part of that ("Blue Drive") initiative, Hyundai will unveil four Blue Drive models at the forthcoming Frankfurt Auto Show, which starts tomorrow. [Source: Hyundai-Blog]

Hyundai plant in Canada?

After Hyundai announced it plans to build a manufacturing plant in China (already its third) rumors about the company considering to build one also in Canada surfaced to the web.

Chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor Canada said that Hyundai may soon need to take a hard look at building an assembly plant in Canada if it continues to increase sales in the following years.

Hyundai's Canadian sales are up 24 percent this year and are on pace to reach 90.000 vehicles.By 2012, Hyundai plans to sell 150.000 cars in Canada and that is a figure, according to Steve Kelleher, Hyundai Motor's Canadian chief executive officer that should prompt consideration about a plant in the country.

Hyundai operated an assembly plant in Canada in mid-1980s, but the company closed it only four years after openning as its sales collapsed in North America. Hyundai's assembly plant was located in Bromont, Quebec and produced second generation Sonata sedans. It had a capacity of 100.000 vehicles per year.

If Hyundai decides to build a plant in Canada, then this would be the company's third North American plant. Hyundai already operates a manufacturing plant in Alabama, while Hyundai's affiliate, Kia Motors, has a $1-billion plant currently under construction in Georgia.

Hyundai to build new plant in China

Hyundai already operates two manufacturing plants in China, the world's largest auto market, but recently we have heard of news that the fourth largest automaker in the world has been studying to build another one.

According to an executive that works for Hyundai's China venture, Hyundai decided to go ahead with its third plant so it can meet China's rapid new car sales growth. Hyundai will start building new plant early next year and although, the company didn't reveal what models it will build in its new plant, it did provide a capacity of the plant. The plant will be capable of producing 300.000 new vehicles when operating at "full speed".

Hyundai has been one of the fastest rising carmakers in China this year. Models, such as Elantra, Sonata and Tucson have experienced a huge increase, while sales have been up 200% in August, compared to the same month last year. According to one of the leading China car magazines, Hyundai recently raised its local sales target for 2009 to 500.000 new vehicles from 300.000 units.

This is a huge rise in sales, but Hyundai is confident that new models that will be launched shortly will help the company to achieve the projected sales target. Already this year, Hyundai will launch an i30 hatch in China, while a few months later, the i30 will be joined by i10 minicar, which is currently built only in India. Both models are expected to be produced in China.

Spied: Next generation Hyundai Elantra

Spies have caught a heavily camoflaged Hyundai prototype while undergoing hot-weather testing on the US soil. According to Leftlane, the website that published a series of spy shots, this is apparently, the next-generation Hyundai Elantra sedan.

Codenamed MD, the next-gen Elantra was expected to bow in 2013, but seems like Hyundai has not been satisfied with the overall sales results of the current Elantra model, so they decided to bring its successor to the market ahead of their initial plans.

Next Elantra will follow Hyundai's upcoming Sonata sedan with sleeker exterior styling that features a coupe-like roofline. It will also grow in size to offer even more for the driver and passengers. The 2011 Elantra is expected to be available with a range of fuel-sipping four-cyl. engines, mated to the all-new six-speed dual-clutch auto tranny.

According to some rumors floating around, Hyundai will also offer a hybrid Elantra variant within 20 months after its introduction. [Source: leftlanenews.com/hyundai-elantra-2011.html ]

Hyundai moving production of i20 hatch from India to Turkey

Hyundai has announced it will move production of the i20 hatchback from the current location in India to Turkey. Starting in May next year, 80.000 units of Hyundai i20 will be built at Hyundai Turkey plant in the city called Izmit and will be exported to European countries.

Hyundai plans to invest about $75 million additionally to rebuild the plant, which currently produces four door Hyundai Accent and B-segment Matrix MPV. Large scale Hyundai investment does not only mean more Hyundai cars but also new jobs in Turkey as Hyundai will have to hire additional 500 workers to produce the i20 hatch. According to Hyundai, current plant's capacity will be raised to 100.000 vehicles per year, with 80.000 units devoted to Hyundai i20.

Hyundai sells i20 and Getz hatch in Turkey where it has the leading market share among B-segment cars. In the first eight months, Hyundai sold 7.000 units of Getz, which makes it the number one selling car in the country. Hyundai i20 has only been on sale since May, and in the meantime the company already sold more than 1.500 units.

In Turkey, Hyundai i20 is available with a choice of four different fuel-sipping engines: 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter gasoline engines and 1.4-liter CRDi diesel engine. [Source: Hyundai]

Latest news: US Hyundai August 2009 sales

Hyundai Motor America announces Record August 2009 Sales

  CARLINE   AUGUST/2009 AUGUST/2008 CY/2009 CY/2008
 -------   ----------- ----------- ------- -------
 ACCENT         10,099       6,455  50,661  41,379
 ------         ------       -----  ------  ------
 SONATA         11,815      11,477  85,677  88,813
 ------         ------      ------  ------  ------
 ELANTRA        21,673      10,031  75,193  82,463
 -------        ------      ------  ------  ------
 TIBURON            45         984   8,542   7,053
 -------            --         ---   -----   -----
 SANTA FE       10,791       7,675  51,057  51,953
 --------       ------       -----  ------  ------
 AZERA             336         703   2,593  12,954
 -----             ---         ---   -----  ------
 TUCSON          2,531       1,685  11,189  14,953
 ------          -----       -----  ------  ------
 ENTOURAGE          20         391   3,395   3,905
 ---------          --         ---   -----   -----
 VERACRUZ          841         552   8,130   7,600
 --------          ---         ---   -----   -----
 GENESIS         2,316       1,177  14,269   1,826
 -------         -----       -----  ------   -----
 TOTAL          60,467      41,130 310,706 312,899
 -----          ------      ------ ------- -------

Hyundai sales report:

Hyundai Motor America announced August 2009 sales of 60,467 units, a 47 percent increase compared with August 2008 and a 33 percent increase over last month, marking an all-time monthly sales record. This also marks the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year retail share gains for Hyundai.

"The successful Cash for Clunkers program stimulated the auto industry in time for the summer selling season, and we will work to continue that momentum through the fall," said Dave Zuchowski, vice president of sales. "Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama has returned to a five-day work week, our inventories are replenished and our dealers' lots are filled with a broad lineup of high-value, fuel-efficient vehicles."

"August was a shot-in-the-arm for the industry, and a great month for Hyundai and our dealers, with all-time sales records for the Hyundai brand, Elantra and Genesis," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.

"U.S. car buyers responded in record numbers to high-quality, award-winning Hyundai products and our industry-leading Hyundai Assurance programs - the 10-year warranty, vehicle return program, and Gas Lock price protection. Elantra was well-positioned to take advantage of the CARS program with its fuel-efficiency and J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey award, while Genesis continues to attract smart consumers looking for outstanding value and quality in premium market segments."

These awards and this sales performance are examples of how Hyundai's quality and brand awareness continue to set new standards, thanks to a corporate-wide determination and focus on quality improvement. [Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai Mobis receives $2-billion parts deal from Chrysler

Hyundai Mobis, a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Company, reported today that it has won an order worth 2-bliion dollars from Chrysler. This is the largest automotive parts contract that the Mobis received from a foregin automaker.

In an official statement, issued today, Hyundai Mobis announced it will supply Chrysler with front and rear chassis modules. The company will start providing the modules in May 2010. Mobis also noted that it will not supply modules from South Korea, but rather than that, it is going to set up a new production line located near Chrysler's manufacturing plant in Michigan.

The supplied front and rear chassis modules will be used in several models including Chrysler's Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. But, this is not the first order that Mobis received from Chrysler. The company has been providing chassis modules for Jeep Wrangler since 2006 from its factory in Ohio.

"This is a major acknowledgement for Hyundai Mobis and its technological edge and will certainly help the company to win more contracts from other US carmakers. Mobis will also supply parts to Kia's manufacturing plant located in Georgia, which is currently under construction and is scheduled to start operating in november this year.

The $2-billion deal will help Mobis to increase sales to carmakers other than Hyundai and Kia to about 30 percent of its total revenue from the current 10 percent over the long-term as it seeks to diversify clients said company in the statement.

More news on Hyundai Mobis...