Stopping Hyundai’s success? Not likely.

A great article posted on Boston.com:

CHICAGO—The Hyundai phenomenon ranks as one of the most impressive business turnarounds of the past quarter century. The company went from being both a punch line and punching bag to slugging it out for supremacy in the United States market.

It’s a symbol of how far the company has come that the compact Elantra sedan was voted North American Car of the Year for 2011, and Hyundai was No. 6 in US car and light truck sales last year. If you combined Hyundai and sibling Kia’s sales last year, they’d have been No. 4 overall behind Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota, all of whom have pickup trucks as significant parts of their sales portfolios.

And there’s more growth in sight. Earlier this month at the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai president and CEO John Krafcik introduced two variations of the Elantra sedan—a two-door coupe and five-door GT (hatchback).

Joe Weisenfelder, executive editor of Chicago-based Cars.com, boils the Hyundai success story into a simple explanation.

“Hyundai encapsulates the saying that industry executives always use; namely, ‘It’s all about Product.’ They use Product in the singular and say ‘There’s no problem that Product can’t solve.’ They always use that line, then they throw lots of money into the marketing budget instead,” he says.

“And Hyundai’s product has become very good. They worked relentlessly on their shortcomings and got to where they were doing pretty well with quality and features, but they still were a little behind on things like fuel efficiency and crash tests.”

No longer.

“Look at the most recent products, the Sonata and Elantra. They’ve got good crash test results, and fuel efficiency is quite high. We can argue EPA ratings but the Elantra is rated at 40 miles per gallon on the highway with either manual or automatic transmission. Some of their competitors are advertising that 40 mpg, too, but often it’s with a special version such as the Cruze ECO or Focus SFE,” says Weisenfelder.

Krafcik, the CEO, addressed those mpg figures in Chicago, calling attention to a Popular Mechanics test of the Elantra and Focus. “At 55 mph the Elantra achieved 47.6 mpg and the (Ford) Focus 47.5,” he said. “Then, at 70 mph, the Elantra got 39.3 mph and the Focus 33.5.”

While introducing the coupe and GT, Hyundai’s Michael O’Brien, vice president of product (that word again) and corporate planning, said that as American consumers consider downsizing for fuel economy, they still want premium content and choices.

Why a coupe? “Singles don’t want a sedan because that screams ‘family,’ ” he says. “and driving enthusiasts will be attracted to the GT because it has European driving characteristics, emotional and streamlined styling and more interior space than competitors for an active lifestyle.”

Krafcik didn’t seem fazed by President Obama’s fleet goal of 54.5 mpg by 2025, noting that Hyundai had a 36.1 fleet average in 2011, a number that rose to 36.7 this January. “We’ve got six variants with 40 mph ratings,” he said, enumerating them: the Accent sedan and five-door, the Veloster, Elantra coupe and sedan, and Sonata hybrid.

It seems that Hyundai (that’s Hyundai-as-in-Sunday) has supplanted Honda as the reigning mpg champion.

Cars.com’s Weisenfelder has an explanation.

“Hyundai is keeping weight down. As a result, their vehicles tend to be a bit noisier inside. When Honda was the undisputed fuel efficiency leader, their vehicles had the same issue. They tended to favor fuel efficiency over noise reduction. The simple fact is that you have to add weight to cancel noise.”

Some Hyundai news of note:
• The company last month announced a lifetime hybrid battery guarantee for the 2012 Sonata hybrid—an industry first. It’s reminiscent of the 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty the company used to attract buyers as it originally climbed back from irrelevancy. Says Hyundai’s O’Brien, “Even with all the hybrid vehicle options on the market today, there is still limited demand for these vehicles because of barriers to customer adoption such as uncertainty about the technology and performance. By offering this guarantee, Hyundai is addressing customer concerns and demonstrating our confidence in the durability of our product.”
• Hyundai has been the presenting sponsor of the Tournament of Champions golf tournament in Maui for two straight years. The Hyundai Tournament of Champions is the PGA Tour’s season-opening event. Important? Golf attracts an upscale viewer. The sponsorship tells where Hyundai is headed.
• Could it be more racing? Hyundai is in rallycross and drifting and had an electronic racing game in big lights in Times Square this winter.
• Upgraded dealership facilities? That is a major issue for the National Automobile Dealers Assn. Last week, the industry publication Automotive News reported Hyundai was said to be considering having its dealer network make room for a “Genesis” sub-brand area in showrooms for the upscale Genesis and high-end Equus.
• Super Bowl ads. The best had Elantra “tooting its own horn” on a joyride, but others touted the performance (power and handling) of Genesis and Veloster and employee togetherness.

Local dealer Herb Chambers has two Hyundai dealerships.

“Hyundai is really doing well. We’ve been with them since the beginning. In the beginning they were cheap—both in price and the way they were made. Over time, they’ve brought quality up to be comparable to everyone, including the domestics. It used to be Honda and Toyota, and everyone else wasn’t quite as good. That delta has closed.”

Is that just dealer-speak?

“No,” says Chambers. “The domestics are as good. I know because we sell both and the residual values of American cars have gone up. They’re holding their value much better. Before, we could give you a great deal on buying them new, but they weren’t worth as much when it was time to trade. Now that’s turned around. It’s a level playing field. And Hyundai now matches them all.”

And what about that Hyundai styling? Chambers keeps an eye on what’s passing on the roads outside of his dealerships.

“I really like the styling of Hyundai’s cars, but sometimes I’ll see one and ask, ‘What’s that? A Mercedes?’ Then I realize it’s a Hyundai. Mercedes must be ready to strangle these guys because they’re interesting-looking cars.”

Bill Griffith can be reached at WGriffith@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter@MrAutoWriter.

Hyundai 1.6 liter Gamma engine named to Ward’s 10 Best Engines list

First design, then performance, now its engines? Hyundai sure doesn’t skip a beat. Check out this recently released article on the award-winning engine!  Visit our Cars Plus showroom in Maite where we’d be happy to take you for a joyride in one of our Hyundai Accents!

By: Robin Wulffson, M.D., LA Hyundai Examiner

COSTA MESA, CA––On December 9, Hyundai Motor America announced that, following in the footsteps of Hyundai’s Tau V8 engine, the 1.6-liter GDI Gamma engine, which debuted on the all-new 2012 Accent, has been named one of the Ward’s 10 Best Engines by WardsAuto World.

“Hyundai spent three years on the list with its excellent Tau 5.0-liter V-8, but 2012 brings evidence the auto maker can deliver world-class small engines as well,” writes WardsAuto World Executive Editor, Tom Murphy. “The new 1.6-liter DI Gamma four-cylinder is powering entry level vehicles such as the Hyundai Accent and demonstrates its versatility in the Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe. Mated with an excellent six-speed manual transmission for our evaluation, this package makes the Accent an easy pick for B-class car shoppers. Priced a shade above $14,000, the Gamma-equipped Accent is an excellent value that will surprise and delight any first-time buyer.” In view of the foregoing, the Accent should be on the short list who wants a lot of bang for his or her buck—including excellent gas mileage, which is of significant importance in L.A. with fuel prices that are well above the national average.

The Hyundai Accent is available with the 1.6-liter GDI Gamma engine paired with a proprietary six-speed automatic or manual transmission. This combination results in best-in-class fuel economy of 30 MPG city/40 MPG highway and best-in-class 138 horsepower.

“Gasoline-direct-injection technology allowed Hyundai engineers to create an engine that is powerful, fuel-efficient and has reduced emissions,” said Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) Powertrain Director, John Juriga. “Despite its small size, it generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 MPG on the highway.”

The all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) in the U.S., which helps deliver an estimated highway fuel economy of up to 40 mpg, lower emissions and higher reliability. Through the use of GDI technology, the Gamma 1.6-liter engine delivers a peak output of 138 HP at 6,300 RPM and maximum torque of 123 lb.-ft. at 4,850 rpm. However, GDI is only part of the story, as the new Gamma also features Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing, an electronic throttle control, a roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.

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ELANTRA WINS NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR FOR 2012.

Fifty veteran automotive writers from the U.S. and Canada evaluated 30 cars, then voted. They rated Elantra above all the others. In 2009, Genesis won. Now it’s Elantra’s turn.

Award caps record year for Hyundai Motor America and Elantra

• Bold Fluidic Sculpture design

• Best-in-class standard fuel economy on all models

• Highest owner satisfaction with real world fuel economy of all compact cars

• Mid-size interior room in a compact class footprint

DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2012 – The 2012 Hyundai Elantra took top honors in the most exclusive award in North America when it was named 2012 North American Car of the Year today.

A jury of 50 independent North American automotive journalists evaluated each of the new cars introduced last year and chose the 2012 Hyundai Elantra as the winner. The award was announced at a news conference at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which marks Hyundai’s second win. The Hyundai Genesis was named North American Car of the Year in 2009.

“Elantra speaks to the success of our recipe of bold design and great fuel economy,” said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America. “In a year with some truly breakthrough competitors, we are honored that the jury recognizes Elantra’s far-reaching impact on the industry.”

The jurors considered more than 50 new vehicles, before selecting the top three cars and top three trucks. The Volkswagen Passat and Ford Focus were the other car finalists.

This is the 19th year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European “Car of the Year.” The jury is administered by an organizing committee and funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors judge the cars on a number of factors including innovation, impact on the industry, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

 

 

HYUNDAI “FLUIDIC SCULPTURE” DESIGN

Elantra exemplifies Hyundai’s emotional “Fluidic Sculpture” design principles. “Fluidic Sculpture” considers the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. Elantra is an evolution of the design qualities found in Sonata.

Along Elantra’s sides are Sonata’s flowing lines, with the addition of a strong undercut feature line starting at the front door. These lines, along with muscular wheel arches and a sleek roofline, create a memorable and spacious package. Flowing lines also lead to an aerodynamic body. The drag coefficient for the Elantra is an exceptionally low 0.28 that compares favorably to the Chevrolet Volt (0.29).

Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille and detailed swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact athletic face. The assertive stance is complimented by 15-, 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels and athletic proportions. Available fog lights and side repeater mirrors complete the distinct design. Elantra was designed at Hyundai’s North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.

40 MPG POWERTRAIN

Elantra’s standard fuel economy is EPA-rated at 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, amd 33 mpg combined, with the six-speed automatic transmission or manual transmission. These figures give Elantra a highway-only driving range of up to 500 miles. Elantra’s strong EPA ratings are backed up by the highest owner satisfaction with real-world fuel economy in the compact class, according to data from J.D. Power and Associates.

Under the hood, the Elantra is powered by an all-new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque (145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque for Elantra PZEV). Thanks to advanced clean engine technology, most Elantras sold in California, Oregon and several Northeast states are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) by the EPA. The PZEV Elantra is as clean as many hybrid electric vehicles. The PZEV Elantra helps Hyundai meet its environmental commitments. Outside of these “green” states, the Elantra is available as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).

Autobytel’s Compact Car and SUV of the Year!

We’re a little excited at the moment. Our Hyundai Veloster and Jeep Wrangler were just named Compact Car of the Year and SUV of the Year in Autobytel‘s annual challenge. We couldn’t agree more with their picks.

Here are the articles themselves found on Autobytel’s website. Way to go Hyundai and Jeep!

Autobytel Compact Car of the Year: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

A resounding favorite of the Autobytel editorial staff was the clear winner of the Autobytel 2012 Compact Car of the Year. Hyundai has truly stepped up to the competition across almost every segment of the automotive industry and with the introduction of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, the sport compact class will never be the same.

Starting at an affordable $17,300.00, the Compact Car of the Year surprises the segment with the introduction of a 3^rd door, standard technology equipment that manages your music, cell communications and navigation plus the choice of a sporty 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. Options include a sky-revealing glass roof and premium sound system that makes the commute one complete with creature comforts expected of a 2012 Compact Car of the Year.

The design of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is nothing less than show-stopping with the DNA of the Hyundai signature fluidic design showing its colors loud and clear. The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is proof that hot things can come in small packages.

Autobytel 2012 SUV of the Year Winner: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

When it comes to tackling any terrain put in front of it, the go-anywhere Jeep Wrangler has always been the ultimate SUV, but with the addition of a new powertrain for 2012, this iconic off roader was an easy choice for the Autobytel 2012 SUV of the Year. Available in two- and four-door configurations, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler now comes with a more powerful Pentastar V-6 engine that gives drivers a good mix of power and fuel economy. Whether its equipped with the hard or soft top, the Jeep Wrangler allows for easy open-air driving, and, like its predecessors dating back to 1941, the 2012 Wrangler can still be enjoyed with the windshield folded down and the doors removed.

Hyundai Elantra takes First Place with Motor Trend!

Motor Trend recently compared eight compact sedan cars, and guess who took first place? Wink Wink.

The list from first to last place:
1. Hyundai Elantra
2. Honda Civic
3. Mazda 3
4. VW Jetta
5. Ford Focus
6. Chevrolet Cruze
7. Kia Forte
8. Toyota Corolla

Yes, you just read that right. Elantra #1; Corolla #8. Hyundai for the win!

1st Place: HYUNDAI ELANTRA

When MC Guru (RIP) and DJ Premier came together in 1994 to produce “Mass Appeal,” the seminal, bass-backed discourse on the evils of trading authenticity for popularity (also known as selling out), they most certainly were not explaining how to build America’s best C-segment sedan.

Yet the song’s theme matches the Hyundai Elantra’s secret to success: Keepin’ it real. In this case, really stylish, authentically sophisticated, and content rich. Check it out: The Elantra achieved no distinction on our spec charts; it was not the fastest nor the lightest, not the cheapest nor best at the pump. Yet when it came time for our judges to discuss which vehicle should finish on top, the capable and charismatic Elantra was always in the mix without diesel-ringer rancor or anti-Civic animosity.

“Wow, Hyundai’s done a great job here. The Elantra’s styling is a welcome addition to the copy/paste mindset,” said Lago. Others found the atomic guppy styling modern and fresh, if busier than the staid Civic, leering Mazda3, and starched-collar Jetta. Inside, however, the Elantra was king. “I hate tan interiors, and I was still impressed with this. This cheap Hyundai is better inside than some Lexuses,” noted Febbo.

When it came to ride quality, Elantra marries the lightness of the Japanese sedans with the big-car comfort of Jetta and Cruze.”The Elantra’s ride is easily the most comfortable of the bunch: smooth, quiet, and well-controlled. If I had to drive one of these cars from San Francisco to Los Angeles, this would be my hands-down choice,” said Jurnecka.

Sure, there were complaints, primarily about an EPA-certified 29/40-mpg fuel economy number that we did not come close to replicating. Among the gas burners, the Elantra’s 25.9 mpg in mixed driving was solidly midpack. Our crew also wished for a bit more crispness in the handling dynamics and steering.

“Definitely not a sport sedan as there is more body roll than the others on turn-in. It grips pretty well and the chassis is composed, but you can tell it’s not meant for high-g cornering,” said Evans.

Also obvious is the breadth and value of the Elantra Limited’s standard equipment, which includes a power sunroof, Bluetooth connectivity, and heated front and rear leather seats-all for only a bit more than Civic money. (“Seriously? How many cars under $50K have those?” said Febbo.) This feature/value proposition not only helps elevate the quality of the driving experience, it raises Elantra to the top of the C-segment.

Lassa offered a 35,000-foot view: “Closest to the ideal of what a modern compact needs to be if Americans are really going to downsize their sedans. Compacts don’t need to look or feel cheap.”

And the Elantra certainly does not.

“Compared with every other car here, the Elantra feels grown-up and sophisticated,” concluded Jurnecka. It offers the most compelling compromise of styling, packaging, value, efficiency, and comfort, and demonstrates that you don’t have to sell your soul to have mass appeal.

Read more at Motor Trend.

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster Named Urban Car of the Year

Well, we can’t say we’re surprised, but this IS pretty awesome. The 2012 Hyundai Veloster was just named the Urban Car of the Year!

From Automotive News Desk:

DETROIT — “The Urban Vehicles of the Year” were announced today by Decisive magazine after their selection by an esteemed panel of independent automotive journalists. The Urban Wheel Awards judging panel spent several months selecting the most stylish, practical and attainable vehicles by driving dozens of cars and trucks in a variety of North American urban settings before settling on the three winners. Decisive magazine’s Urban Vehicles of the Year are featured in the magazine’s winter issue, which will be available online at www.decisivemagazine.com and on mobile applications.

The Urban Vehicles of the Year winners and finalists will be honored at the 16th Annual Urban Wheel Awards (UWA) on Sunday, January 8, 2012.

Needless to say, we are pumped! Way to take it to another level, Hyundai!

Hyundai Veloster Off to a Great Start

From SKIP dancers to an intense video game competition, the Veloster Launch couldn’t have been more fun. We were excited to hold the event at the Agana Shopping Center and from the crowd and feedback we received, our guests were just as excited! Here’s a few shots to share of our unveiling. If you get the urge to swing by and take one on a test drive, we won’t stop you.

Hyundai Veloster Launch this Friday!

Mark those calendars, Guam. We just got a sexy new addition to our Hyundai lineup and we’re not sure how to contain our excitement! Join us this Friday evening from 6 – 8pm at the Agana Shopping Center’s Main Court! Expect games, giveaways, and a nice looking ride to be unveiled.

We’ll see you there!

Introducing the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

After months of waiting in breathless anticipation, our Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has finally hit our showroom floor. For all you green folks out there, or as Hyundai likes to say, “blue” folks, stop by and take this Hybrid on a spin. We promise you’ll be impressed.

 

 

 

Hyundai Equus Receives J.D. Power and Associates 2011 APEAL Award

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA–July 27, 2011: J.D. Power and Associates designated the 2011 Hyundai Equus as its most appealing large premium car in the 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study(SM) as Hyundai soared in the annual owner survey. In its 16th year, the APEAL study examines owners’ assessments of the design, content, layout, and performance of their new vehicle. Vehicles and their brands are scored on a 1,000 point scale.

The Equus exceeded 900 points in this year’s study, achieving the highest APEAL score of any model in the industry. Equus outscored all other luxury premium sedans and performed considerably better than the segment average in the categories of vehicle exterior, storage, and audio/entertainment/navigation.

“The Equus has the distinction of being the highest-performing model in the 2011 APEAL Study,” said J.D. Power and Associates. “The Hyundai Equus has achieved an impressive introduction into the marketplace from a performance, execution and layout perspective.”

Overall, Hyundai was the most-improved nameplate in the industry and moved up 13 rank positions and 33 points to place 15th in 2011. This is the highest Hyundai has ever ranked in the APEAL Study, finishing ahead of all the Asian and U.S. domestic non-premium brands. The improvement is driven primarily by two of its redesigned models, the Sonata and Elantra, which improve by 57 and 35 points, respectively.

“We are thrilled with the recognition of Equus and the Hyundai brand as a whole in this year’s J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study,” said Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, Customer Satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America. “With the success of our Equus flagship and the unique appeal of our dynamically designed and fuel-efficient Elantra and Sonata, we’re continuing our quest to satisfy all types of American car buyers.”

Additionally, in the tightest race in the study, the Hyundai Sonata finished second by just two points — 818 v. 816 — in the midsize car segment.