SsangYong SUVs to capture 20 percent market in Korea

New vision to bring new models and higher sales, says SsangYong, South Korea's smallest carmaker.

SsangYong revealed a new brand development and sales growth strategy for the next few years.

Called "Aspiration 2016" the new ambitious vision will not only result in more new models hitting the streets of South Korea and other markets, but also means the carmaker will increase its sales significantly and become more competitive player in the automotive field.

According to company's CEO Lee Yoo-il, SsangYong's vision is to become the most innovative and respected Korean automobile company.

Speaking of sales, the carmaker wants to lift its sales from less than 100.000 units achieved last year, to more than 160.000 vehicles by 2013 and hit the 300.000 sales by 2016.

At the same time, SsangYong aims to capture around 20 percent of domestic SUV market share. The company is recognized as a niche carmaker focusing on SUV and crossover vehicle production.

To achieve the above-mentioned sales goals, SsangYong revealed it plans to unveil five facelift models by 2013 and four completely new models by 2016. Some of them will also be zero-pollution electric vehicles.

One of those 4 new vehicles will be the production model of the XIV concept crossover vehicle, which made its debut at Frankfurt Auto Show, last month. The Kia-Soul-crossover sized CUV will feature sporty design and plenty of features at affordable price, say sources close to the carmaker.

You can see more details about the exciting XIV concept by following the link: SsangYong XIV-1

Meanwhile, Hyundai also intends to launch a B-segment SUV withing a year or two, meaning the battle for consumer will intensify further with new-coming models from Hyundai and SsangYong. And Kia might add its share by unveiling the next-generation all-wheel-drive Kia Soul!

New Hyundai Eon mini-car

Hyundai releases first official renderings of the all-new Eon city-car!

Hyundai will unveil a brand-new city car in India next month. Scheduled to make its official public premiere in October, the new mini-car from Hyundai will be called Eon.

It will be the smallest car Hyundai has ever produced and will be offered exclusively in India. The second most populated country in the world will also be the home of new Hyundai Eon, as the carmaker will produce it there.

While we have no reports on estimated sales numbers, the Eon will be a high-volume car competing against the likes of Tata Nano and Suzuki Alto, which has been the best selling vehicle in India for years.

The new Eon will be built upon a modified i10 platform and will be powered by a brand-new 0,8L engine developed by Hyundai. The engine churns out 56 horsepower and achieves 21,1 km with one liter of fuel!

As mentioned above, Hyundai Eon release date is set for October this year, so let's wait until then to find more details about the long-anticipated mini-car. [Source: Hyundai-blog.com]

Here are some imagesof the new Hyundai Eon:

Hyundai, SsangYong lift sales targets

SsangYong is the smallest South Korean carmaker. Actually, it is not even Korean anymore, since it was acquired by India's Mahindra & Mahindra automobile maker a while ago. Still, the company has its own know-how and production plants in Korea, therefore we can say it's remains to be a "Korean" car brand.

Well, recently, the SsangYong revealed its plans to increase its 2012 global sales by introducing several new vehicles, including the hot-looking XIV concept car, which was unveiled at Frankfurt Auto Show last week. In addition, the carmaker also plans to introduce a mid-size pick-up truck and offer it at International markets.

SsangYong plans to sell 40.000 new vehicles in the European market in 2012. Of the total sales target set for next year, 25.000 units are expected to be sold in Russia, while sales in Britain is scheduled to reach 3.500 units. The rest of the planned sales quota will be sold over the rest of Europe.

SsangYong's domestic rival, Hyundai Motor Company also announced earlier this week that it plans to sell more cars worldwide than planned earlier. Combined sales of Hyundai vehicles are expected to hit 4 million units, up 100.000 units from 3.9 million planned, initially.

The fastest growing car maker on the planet puts high hopes on both of just-recently-launched vehicles, the all-new Hyundai i40 and 2012 Hyundai i30. Especially the latter has just received a very positive response from European media and consumers. FYI, it was launched on Tuesday in Frankfurt.

Hyundai succeeded to make the new i30 hatch to look more European than the outgoing model, therefore the company expects it to be in a very high demand from the beginning of its sales scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2012.

Hyundai's European market share stood at 2.6 percent in 2010, falling short of its 4.6 percent in the U.S. However, new models are expected to lift Hyundai sales in Europe by about 10 percent to as much as 400.000 units this year.

SsangYong makes comeback with new XIV-1 concept crossover!

SsangYong, the South Korean fourth largest carmaker, is ready to make a full comeback with release of a 2012 Kia Soul-sized crossover vehicle.

Currently in the concept form, the XIV-1 is more than just a design study and previews the all-new B-segment crossover vehicle that is expected to hit the market within two years.

Initially, the yet-unnamed crossover vehicle from SsangYong will be sold in Korea, while later the carmaker will also offer it at markets outside Korea. This means, the model could soon appear in Europe, Russia and perhaps even in United States.

According to insider reports, SsangYong want to bring the CUV out as quick as possible!

Honestly, we really like the styling of a concept car. It looks by far the most appealing product SsangYong has ever created. Eventhough still in concept form, we are pretty sure that the final model will look pretty close to the concept released at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, yesterday.

Hyundai, Kia watch-out, cause this is a striking crossover vehicle!

Here are a few additional images of the highly-attractive XIV-1 concept:

Kia Rio 3-door debuts in Frankfurt

Kia unveils its all-new 3-door 2012 Rio hatchback at Frankfurt Auto Show!

Already available as a five-door hatch and a four-door sedan, the 2012 Kia Rio expands its range by additional 3-door model.

According to Kia, the 3-door Rio retains the same key exterior dimensions as the 5-door Rio. The 3-door model also adopts the same powertrain technology, meaning the model is available with a wide range of highly efficient three- and four-cylinder engines - with horsepower ratings from 75 hp to 109 hp.

Mated to the engines can be either a six-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission, says Kia. Strangely, the carmaker does not offer the six-speed automatic in Europe, although it is available in the new Rio in USA.

The most interesting of all Rios for us is the one with 1.1L diesel engine. Why? Because it is powered with the same engine that will soon appear in new Hyundai cars.

The 1.1L CRDI unit has impressive horsepower rating for its size (75 horsepower)! Even more impressive is its low fuel consumption of just 3.2 litres per 100 km (88.2 mpg) and record-breaking CO2 rating of just 85 g/km! The lowest CO2 rating among gasoline-powered cars!

When will the same fuel-sipping engine be available in a Hyundai car? We do not know for sure, but it will probably be introduced in a facelifted Hyundai i20, which is scheduled to debut early next year.

First Hyundai i20 prototypes have already been spied testing in the wild. Stay tuned for more news from Frankfurt Auto Show! Find more about 2012 Kia Rio 3 door

2013 Hyundai i30 revealed ahead of its public premiere!

First official images of the all-new 2013 Hyundai i30 leak to the web!

A few weeks ago, Hyundai Motor Company announced it plans to unveil a brand-new i30 hatchback at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show! The most important automobile event in Europe opens its doors next week, btw!

Ahead of its public premiere, we are bringing you some images of the all-new Hyundai i30. According to Hyundai-blog.com, the 2013 i30 will initially be available with 4 different four-cylinder engines.

Under the hood of the 2013 Hyundai i30 will be 1,4L and 1,6L GDI petrol engines with 100 and 140 horsepower, respectively. Diesel power will come from 1,4L and 1,6L CRDI four-cylinder units with 90 and 126 horsepower. Six-speed manual transmission will be standard on all models, while customers will also be able to select a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Set to go on sale in Europe during the first half of 2012, the all-new 2013 Hyundai i30 will be built at Hyundai's European manufacturing plant located in Czech Republic.

Hyundai Sales 2011

Hyundai of USA reports 9 percent increase in sales in August 2011!



Hyundai Motor America announced recently it has sold 58.505 new cars, SUVs and crossover vehicles in the U.S. market during the month of August 2011. The number represents 9 percent increase in sales compared to the same month a year ago.



Leading the carmaker's US sales last month was the Sonata mid-size sedan with 20.682 units sold. Following the popular Sonata sedan was another US-produced model, the Elantra compact car, which recorded sales of more than 15.000 units.



The Santa Fe SUV, which is going to be replaced with a newer model late next year, and Tucson CUV saw their sales increase 55 and 24 percent, respectively. The all-new 2012 Hyundai Accent, which went on sale in June, saw its sales soar 38 percent in August. Just for your record, the 2012 Hyundai Accent was the best-selling compact car in the States in July 2011!



According to Dave Zuchowski, demand for Hyundai vehicles remained strong last month despite tough market conditions. "We are still seeing consumer demand increasing, with Hyundai consideration rates now at an all-time high. This should drive continued sales momentum for Hyundai through the rest of 2011, even if the industry struggles a bit," added Dave.



With the new Veloster just around the corner, Hyundai expects the demand for its fuel-savy cars will continue to rise through the rest of the year. The company also believes the group of 40-mpg cars will further increase its sales. Last month, Hyundai sold 20.600 vehicles with 40-mpg fuel economy rating in the USA. Those cars include the all-new Hyundai Elantra, 2012 Accent and new Sonata hybrid car.

New Hyundai Models Product Plan for 2012 / 2013

Here we have a little update on upcoming Hyundai models destined to hit the worldwide market within a year or two.





Hyundai Eon: Hyundai's smallest car ever is set to go on sale in the fourth quarter of the year. It will first be available in India, while later it will go on sale on selected Asian markets. Positioned below the i10 city-car, the all-new Hyundai Eon will take on Tata Nano and Maruti Alto.



Hyundai Accent: No major plans here since the models is still pretty fresh. Hyundai might introduce a turbo-powered Accent in 2012, however, this has yet to be confirmed by the carmaker.



Hyundai i20: Available in Europe and India, this city commuter is going to receive a mid-cycle facelift in 2012. Expect to see a brand-new 3-cylinder turbo diesel engine under the hood of slightly refreshed i20.



Hyundai Veloster: The all-new Veloster is just around the corner. If 138 horsepower's not enough for you, wait for just another couple of months to get a hotter version sporting a brand-new turbocharged 1.6L GDI engine with approximate horsepower rating of 210 + !



Hyundai Elantra Coupe: Hyundai's top-seller on the U.S. soil is getting a two door version soon. Expected to make its official debut at the L.A. Auto Show in November, the all-new Elantra Coupe will feature even more appealing exterior lay-out and the same powertrain technology as its 4-door sibling.



Hyundai Azera: Goes on sale in the USA late this year or early next year. The near-luxury sedan, positioned below Genesis sedan will get a whole new look, more comfortable interior with a plethora of luxury features, as well as updated powertrain technology. Expect the sedan to make its global debut at L.A. Auto Show in November.



Hyundai Santa Fe CUV / ix45: Spied undergoing final development testing, the all-new Santa Fe CUV will go on sale in 2013, if not earlier. Hyundai will probably drop the currently-available V6 engine and replace it with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that is already available in the 2012 Hyundai Sonata!



Genesis Coupe: The carmaker's hottest product till date, the Genesis Coupe is also getting a slight makeover for the 2012 model year. Expect to see some major styling updates on the front fascia, which will result in a more aggressive look. Engines: no news about engine upgrades, however you can expect Hyundai engineers to tweak existing V6 and turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine.



Hyundai plug-in hybrid: Apparently, it won't take long until Hyundai joins the "green party" with its own product. According to several reports, the South Korean carmaker is developing a mid-size plug-in hybrid car that is rumored to hit the States in 2013 or 2014.



Hyundai sports sedan: Following the plug-in hybrid car will be BMW 3-series competitor based on a shortened platform of a 2014 Hyundai Genesis sedan. No further details about the premium sports sedan are available at this point!

Read more:

Hyundai i20 Blue

Hyundai adds i20 Blue to its produt line-up in the UK!



Earlier this year, Hyundai launched the i10 Bleu in the UK. Following the low-emission i10 city car is the i20 Blue, which was launched today.



Ater the i10 Blue, the all-new Hyundai i20 Blue is yet another vehicle from the South Korean carmaker that relases less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Furthermore, with CO2 emissions of just 98 grams per kilometre, the i20 Blue is the lowest emitting vehicle in Hyundai UK's product range.



The all-new Hyundai i20 Blue features a wide range of eco-friendly powertrain technologies, including low-rolling resistance tires, Intelligent Stop & Go -ISG system, rear suspension under cover and rear wheel deflector.



These are the features that help the i20 Blue to achieve 12 percent reduction of CO2 emissions in comparison to the regular 1,4L diesel engine powered i20.

Hyundai i20 Blue price & features

Hyundai i20 Blue is based on the current i20 Comfort trim level (available in the UK) and is coupled with the Euro V 1.4 CRDi diesel engine with 90 horsepower. In the UK, the i20 Blue is priced at £13,195.

For the price of little more than £13KT, a buyer gets a plethora of standard features such as Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, 15-inch alloy wheels, electric heated and folding door mirrors, steering wheel audio controls, steering wheel audio controls, USB and aux connections air conditioning and remote central locking.

The all-new Hyundai i20 Blue is already on sale in the UK!

Hyundai reports June 2011 sales

Hyundai Motor America announced its latest sales results for the month of June 2011!

The South Korean carmaker set an all-new monthly record selling nearly 60.000 new vehicles in one month alone. With almost 20.000 units sold, respectively, the Sonata and Elantra retained the as the top selling Hyundai models in the States.

Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, which is getting a replacement within a year or two, has done a great job as well. In June, Hyundai dealers sold more than 7.000 units of Santa Fe. The Santa Fe's little brother Tucson crossover recorded sales of 4.406 units, while seven-seat passanger crossover - Veracruz posted sales of nearly 1.000 units (600+ June 2010).

Hyundai Genesis sedan, which received a mid-cycle makeover last month has also posted record sales for the month. With sales of 3.149 units, Genesis almost surpassed the all-new 2012 Accent sub-compact car with 3.612 units sold.

Hyundai also sold 221 units of Equus luxury sedan, which is a respectable achievement for a luxury car that just hit the market.

According to Hyundai, its sales for the first six months of the year are up 26 percent. With the upcoming Veloster and Elantra coupes, as well as increased supply of new Hyundai Accent, the carmaker is confident to increase its sales in the second half of 2011.

See detailed Hyundai June sales table at our friend's site Hyundai-blog.com

New Samsung QM5 to challenge Hyundai ix35/Tucson, Kia Sorento CUV

Renault Samsung Motors, which operates in South Korea and exports its cars to a dozen of foreign countries, unveiled its facelifted QM5 crossover vehicle in Korea.

With the new QM5, the Renault Samsung Motors aims to challenge the South Korean crossover rivals such as Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sorento CUVs.

The all-new Samsung QM5 is a slightly redesigned crossover vehicle, which has been on sale in Korea for about two years. The model has also been sold in Europe as Renault Koleos.

The mid-cycle makeover affected the exterior, which now features sportier front fascia with redesigned headlamps and radiator grille that provide the vehicle a more urban style.

The new QM5 features upgraded four-cylinder engines (diesel and gasoline) and slightly redesigned interior lay-out with upper grade materials.

Renault-Samsung hopes that latest styling changes and powertrain upgrades will spawn more interest in the new QM5 crossover in Korea. The company hopes to take some sales from Hyundai ix35 and 2012 Kia Sorento, as well as Kia Sportage crossover.

Hyundai Elantra 2-door

Our friends over at Hyundai-Blog.com just published the very-first spy shot of the 2012 Elantra Coupe. Apparently, a reader of theirs have sent them an image whichhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif reveals a heavily-camoed Elantra 2-door, which is rumored to make its official premiere at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show.

Head over to their blog to see the image of the Hyundai Elantra 2-door!

Hyundai i45 named "Best Family Car for 2011"

Edmunds.com names Hyundai i45 mid-size sedan as the best family car for 2011!

If you're looking for a new family vehicle to replace your old sedan, you might want to take a look at the "best family car of 2011". According to Edmunds.com and car experts from Parents magazine, the best family car for 2011 is i45 sedan from Hyundai Motor Company.

Automobile experts from both renowned publicitations compared hundreds of vehicles focusing on safety and reliability as top priorities and chose the 2011 Hyundai i45 as the best of all family cars currently on the market.

The all-new Hyundai i45 boasts beautifully executed exterior design and offers class-leading comfort. It is also one of the safest cars out there. It features advanced standard safety technologies achieving a 5-star ANCAP rating in Australia and USA.

Known also as Hyundai Sonata in the States, the 2011 i45 offers a 2.4L GDI Theta engine and six-speed automatic transmission. [Source: Hyundai Motor Australia]

2012 Hyundai Sonata Updates

Hyundai's award-winning Sonata sedan has received some updates for the 2012 model year. No, the popular mid-size sedan did not receive any styling updates, however, the 2012 model boasts slightly upgraded engines and more equipment for the price.

2012 Hyundai Sonata updates:

- touch-screen navigation with HD Radio Technology now available

- panoramic sunroof now standard on 2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited

- Blue Link telematics system standard on all Sonatas

- Rear backup camera available on Hyundai Sonata SE with Sunroof and Navigation Package

Engine line-up upgrades:

Hyundai engineers slightly updated the fuel-savy engine line-up so the four-cylinder engines for further improved fuel efficiency.


Hyundai's Theta II GDI 2.4L fuel economy: 24 city / 35 highway

Theta II GDI 2.0-liter turbo fuel economy: 22 city / 34 highway

According to Hyundai-blog.com, the 2012 Sonata delivers best-in-class fuel economy. [Source: Hyundai-blog.com]

Hyundai luxury cars gain market share in USA

Hyundai's recently launched Equus luxury sedan and rear-wheel-drive Genesis sedan are boosting Hyundai Motor's presence in the U.S. luxury sedan market. Both luxury models have sold above initial expectations, says Hyundai.

Latest automobile sales data reveal that sales of Hyundai Genesis averages at approximatelly 2,500 units each month, while Equus sales averages at around 250 units each month. Last month, Hyundai Genesis took more than 10 percent of the mid-luxury car segment, while its larger sibling, the Equus sedan accumulated a market share of 5,4%!

Sales of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan and 2011 Equus luxury sedan go beyond our expectations," said a company spokesman. The South Korean carmaker forecasts the sales of both sedans to reach above 30.000 units ( Hyundai Genesis) and more than 3.000 units (Equus) in the USA this year. [Source: Koreaherald ]

Hyundai sales in April 2011

April 2011 was a very strong month for Hyundai Motor America! The South Korean carmaker recently reported an all-time record April 2011 sales of 61.754 units! The number represents a 40 percent increase compared with the same record-breaking period in 2010.

Hyundai's sales-to-date in the States are up as well. The automaker increased its sales so far by more than 30 percent, with retail volume rising 40 percent. According to Hyundai Motor America, sales to fleet accounts are down 45 percent for the year with fleet representing 13 percent of the total sales mix year-to-date.

Hyundai's best-selling nameplate in April 2011 was the popular Elantra with sales surpassing the 22.000 sales mark. It was followed by Sonata mid-size sedan and Santa Fe SUV in second and third spot with sales 21,730 and 5,771 units, respectively.

April 2011 marks the first time Hyundai sold more than 20,000 units in the same month of two different models.

You can find more detailed April 2011 sales report at our friend's Hyundai blog: Hyundai sales April

Hyundai introduces 1,6L turbo engine

At the 2011 Seoul auto show, Hyundai announced it has developed the 1,6L turbo engine.

The 1,6L Turbo engine features a twin-scroll turbo-charger which helps the engine to produce as much as 208 horsepower, while at the same time helps reducing the engine's fuel-consumption.

We are expecting the Hyundai to officially announce the new turbo engine at the 2011 New York Auto Show, which kicks off next week.

New Hyundai 1,6L turbo engine will be first available in the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, while later it is expected to appear in other Hyundai compact cars including the next-generation Hyundai i30 and upcoming Hyundai Elantra coupe.

Hyundai's sister firm, Kia Motors might also benefit from this highly advanced 1,6L turbo engine and models such as Kia Optima Koup and new cee'd could get the engine sometime in the near future.

Hyundai Blue 2 concept car

Hyundai introduces new hydrogen-powered fuel-cell concept car named Blue 2 at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show!

Named Blue 2, the concept car's name is a derivate of Hyundai's sub eco-brand called "Blue Drive" and the number 2, which comes from H2 and symbolizes the symbol for hydrogen gas.

It was designed and developed at Hyundai's Seoul based reasearch and design headquarters with an aim at gaining early leadership of the fuel cell electric vehicle market.

Hyundai Blue 2 concept vehicle is powered by a 122 horsepower fuel cell stack that delivers a mileage capability of 34.9 km/liter on the car. The car features aerodynamic enhancements as well as low roll-resistance tires and light-weight alloy wheels to improve its fuel-economy.

The latest concept car from Hyundai is full of innovative technologies. It features a highly advanced fuel cell stack under the hood, which poweres the car, as well as a plethora of other infotainment systems and technologies including a welcome system that recognizes the driver, automatic opening door system and both, side cameras and a roof cameras replacing the conventional side mirrors.

Inside, the Hyundai Blue 2 concept features interior design which encompasses a futuristic look by using eco-friendly new materials.

China: Hyundai sales soar

Hyundai has become the third best-seeling automobile brand in China this year. In the first month of 2011, the South Korean carmaker, which operates two manufacturing plants in China and has another one under construction, sold 72.000 units in January 2011 and 50.717 new vehicles in February 2011.

Despite selling less vehicles than in a month earlier, February sales still represent a 36 percent increase compared to the same month from a year ago. Hyundai's market share also rose 0.9 percentage point from 5.8 percent in January to 6.7 percent in February.

Hyundai's sister company, Kia Motors (Kia Optima colors), has also been successful last month. Although its sales soared only 4.3 percent, the company sold 25.008 new vehicles in the world's largest car market, which was enough to become the 9th largest automobile brand in China.

Hyundai, on the other hand, has taken the No.3 spot among car brands in China, following the Shanghai-Volkswagen and Shanghai-GM taking first and second spot.

New Hyundai Veloster sports coupe launch

Hyundai launches new Veloster sports coupe in South Korea.

Hyundai Motor Company today launched the all-new Veloster sports coupe in Korea. The new model has been launched as of the automaker's new brand, called "Premium Youth Lab," which targets younger buyer by offering "premium emotional values", revealed Hyundai Motor Company.

The all-new Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe, which made official worldwide debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show earlier this year, delivers innovation to the compact coupe segment with a unique three-door design (one door on the driver's side, two doors on the other side), Hyundai's Blue Link system, and Pandora Internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display.

The new Veloster is propelled by Hyundai's brand-new 1.6L GDI (direct-injected) four-cyl. engine, which is mated to the camaker's in-house developed dual-clutch transmission -DCT. The all-new 1.6L GDI engine belongs to Gamma engine family and is currently the automaker's smallest engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology.

The gasoline-direct-injection technology enables the engine to provide plenty of power (138 horsepower in this case) and emit fewer emissions as similarly sized powerplants. Hyundai American Technical Center powertrain director, John Juriga commented: "Despite its small size, the 1.6L GDI unit generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 mpg on the highway."

In South Korea, prices for the new Hyundai Veloster coupe will start at 19.4 million (Korean Won) or $17.200 and will go up to 20.95 million or $18.640. Production will be limited to 18.000 units only.

During the official launching ceremony, Hyundai Motor Company also revealed it plans to commence the sales of the Veloster in the European market in the first half of 2011, while U.S. sales are scheduled to begin in the second half of the year.