Hyundai to produce electric cars together with KEPCO

Hyundai to produce electric cars together with KEPCO!

Hyundai and the Korea Electric Power Corp. yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding on developing electric vehicles and recharging mechanisms.

As part of the agreement, the two companies will collaborate in developing electric vehicles and the charging mechanisms, as well as developing and standardizing recharging interfaces, while also commercializing the electric vehicles. KEPCO is currently developing recharging mechanisms with the target of completing the process by 2010.

Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group's electric car plans aim to supply electric vehicles in limited volumes in August 2010 and to begin commercial production of such vehicles the following year.

Hyundai will soon reveal more detailed plans regarding its electric car program. Stay tuned!

Hyundai increases sales in Africa and Middle East

Although Hyundai posted the highest sales increase in China market, where sales have jumped more than 150 percent last month, the Korean largest automaker also increased its sales in Afric and Middle East and Africa.

According to the KAMA - Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, Hyundai shipped 17.528 vehicles to African countries last month, while at the same, it exported more than 46.000 units to the Middle East (plus 83.8% from a year ago).

The beginning of the year was tough for Hyundai as the automaker experienced slumping sales, but recently ( July-September period), Korean carmaker experienced a sharp turnaround! Year on year exports to the Middle East jumped 38 percent to 106.132 units, while shipments to Africa rose 25% to 44,253.

The outlook for the Hyundai brand is good. The automaker will introduce new models next year and it also plans to spend more money on marketing in the region (Africa and Middle East).

Next generation, 2011 Elantra spied

Here is the proof that Hyundai already begun testing a successor model to its current Elantra compact sedan. A prototype has just recently been caught while out in the wild. Covered with heavy camouflage, the prototype model provides us with the very first glimpse of how the 2011 Elantra sedan will look like.

Honestly, there's not much to see rather than Elantra's general body shape, but that seems to be very sporty. It's pretty evident that the 2011 Elantra will follow Hyundai's upcoming Sonata with its design language. The model will sport a modern design with sleek profile and coupe-like roofline. Compared to the current Elantra model, the new one will not only attract consumers by offering value, but also with its attractive exterior styling.

Although there are no available details on Elantra's powertrain options, the 2011 Elantra is expected to be available with a wide selection of four-cylinder powertrains. Hyundai will soon apply its latest gasoline direct injection technology to its 1.6L and 2.0L four-cylinder engines and those are expected to make their production debut in next Elantra.

According to some inside reports, Hyundai will also debut a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox in new Elantra, but that remains to be seen. The 2011 Elantra is expected to make its official debut late next year, possibly at the 2010 L.A. auto show. Sales will commence shortly after its official debut.

Make sure you copy and paste the following link to see more spy shots of the 2011 Elantra sedan... [Source: www.leftlanenews.com/hyundai-elantra-2011.html]

Hyundai posts record third quarter earnings

Hyundai Motor Company continues to post record profits through the year. Today, the Korean automaker announced it has achieved record third quarter earnings, thanks to stronger than expected new car demand.

Hyundai reported a net profit of $832 million (979.1 billion won) in the third quarter, really an impressive amount of money. This is more than three times the 264.8 billion won the company has earned in the same period of time a year ago. Third quarter profits also beat a 616.3 billion won forecast set by 11 analysts in a Reuters poll.

"These are amazing earnings. The figures reflect Hyundai's increased share in the Asian and North American markets." said Kazutaka Oshima, CEO at Rakuten Investment Management in Tokyo. "

Hyundai expects to continue improving its sales with launching new models such as next generation Hyundai Sonata sedan and completely revamped Tucson crossover, which has been one of the best selling Hyundai cars this year. Hyundai also plans to launch a facelifted i30 hatch in Europe soon.

The automaker also expects to see global demand for new cars growing by up to 5 percent in 2010. A Hyundai executive told that global economy will slowly recover and that means global new car sales would likely grow to 60 million vehicles next year.

Hyundai reports September 2009 sales

Hyundai Motor Company has issued its monthly sales report in which, the company has announced it has sold 307.181 new cars in September 2009, a 61% increase compared to the same month a year earlier.

Domestic sales have risen 118 percent to 68.570 units from last year's 31.449 units. Both, new Sonata sedan and new Tucson/ix35 have helped the automaker to record the best-ever overall September sales.

According to Hyundai, Sonata sedan has been the best selling vehicle in Korean market last month. With sales of 9.517 units, the all-new 2011 Sonata sedan finished a top of the Korean sales charts. The all-new Sonata also passed the old Sonata model, with 6.500 units. Combined, both Sonatas managed to attract record 16.299 new consumers! The old Sonata model will now be discontinued.

Sales from Hyundai's overseas manufacturing plants, located in the USA, China, Turkey, India and Czech Republic rose to 238.611 units, representing 50 percent increase compared to last year.

With new Hyundai ix35 and Tucson set to be officially launched in the international markets later this year or early in 2010, Hyundai is confident it can push its monthly sales further.

Reportedly, the Korean carmaker will focus on expanding its market share by introducing new cars and intensify its marketng activities around the world.

Interior of the 2011 Kia VG

Hyundai's sister company, Kia Motors, has a new premium sedan currently in development. Codenamed VG, the all-new Kia is scheduled to hit the Korean market in November this year, while international sales is expected to commence in the second half of 2010.

The all-new Kia VG will be based on the concept car which has been first showed at the 2009 Seoul Auto Show. It's exterior styling will not be far from attractive exterior design of the concept car. Kia's flagship model will feature Kia's latest design elements such as new "tiger nose" grille. It will also be equipped with LED technology in front and rear lights.

The VG sedan will be powered by a 275-horsepower 3.5L V6 Lambda engine. Other engine options will include a 2.4L Theta II engine and a 2.7L LPi engine (Korean market only). Powerful engines will be coupled to Kia's new six-speed automatic transmission.

Kia's VG sedan rides on a new front-wheel-drive platform that will also be used with next generation Hyundai Azera.

This is the very first shot of a completely undisguised interior photo of the all-new Kia VG. UPDATE: A few more spy shots of the VG prototype surfaced to the web...

Hyundai reports September sales gain

Hyundai reports September sales gain!

Hyundai Motor America announced its September sales of 31,511units, a 27 percent increase compared with September 2008. For the calendar year to-date, Hyundai sales are up 1.4 percent compared to last year. This also marks the ninth consecutive month of significant year-over-year gains in retail market share. Hyundai leads all automotive brands in market share growth this year as well.


"While consumer demand following the Cash-for-Clunkers program softened during the month of September, we are encouraged with our continued growth in retail share and overall sales through the first nine months of the year,” said Dave Zuchowski, vice president of sales.“With our solid product and marketing plans going into the fourth quarter, in addition to the upcoming launch of the all-new Tucson and Sonata, we are cautiously optimistic during these challenging times."

The compact Elantra had a significant increase of 104 percent versus 2008. Santa Fe delivered a substantial sales gain of 50 percent, while Genesis continued its strong growth trend with sales of 1,665 units. [Source: Hyundai Motor America]

2011 Nissan Micra

It's time to give a brief look at Hyundai's competition. More praticularly, we will review the forth-coming Nissan Micra, which is scheduled to make its official debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Micra is Nissan's most successful sub-compact car that has been on sale ever since 1982. The current model of Nissan Micra, which has been first displayed at 2002 Paris Auto Show, has sold in thousands of units each year and has proved to be a successful contender in the popular B-car segment. It was especially successful in Europe, where it has been the best selling Nissan vehicle for years - until the Qashqai crossover showed up.

Scheduled to go on sale early next year, Nissan will replace the current Micra with a completely redesigned model, which will incorprate Nissan's latest design DNA, new eco-friendly engines and advanced transmissions.

Latest reports suggest that Nissan Micra will be powered by Renault's 1.2L gasoline turbo engine that already propels Renault Twingo. It will also be available with a fuel-sipping diesel engine, while latest rumors also indicate that Nissan is preparing a hybrid version of new Micra.

While no test mules of next Micra have been spied so far, we have gotten our hand on two designe sketches that give us a sneak peak preview at what could the 2010 Micra look like.