Last week, Hyundai announced it would add a second engine plant at its assembly facility in Montgomery, Alabama, but there was no announcement what the engine plant would produce. With the current engine plant in Montgomery building Hyundai’s V6 used in the Sonata and Santa Fe, we figured the plant would produce four-cylinder engines. Sixty to 70 percent of the Sonata sedans being built in Alabama are powered by four-cylinder engines that have been imported from Korea.

The new engine plant will build the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) 2.4L four-cylinder engine, which will be used in the Sonata and for use at Kia’s new assembly plant in Georgia. The GEMA is an alliance of DaimlerChrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, with the engines being used in various vehicles from each automaker, including the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Dodge Caliber and Avenger, and the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer.

The plant will be able to build 300,000 engines annually — 200,000 a year in the first phase and another 100,000 annually at full production — and will employ 522 workers. Production is scheduled to begin in September 2008.

## Source: Automotive News ##

Share This

Hyundai has dropped a few teaser sketches of its Concept Genesis that it will debut at the 2007 New York Auto Show. The Concept Genesis previews Hyundai’s large, V8-powered, rear-wheel drive sedan that we’ve seen plenty of spy shots. The new sedan, which we have called “Equus”, will mark two firsts for Hyundai in the U.S. — V8-power and rear-wheel drive.

The Concept Genesis will sit above Hyundai’s current range-topping Azera. While derivative, with its Camry-like grille, Hofmiester kink and Bangle-like rear, the Concept Genesis has a classy appearance.

No word on displacement and output figures of what’s under the hood, but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out.

High-resolution photos after the jump.

(more…)

Share This

Hyundai Motor has announced pricing for its all-new Veracruz large crossover. The new Veracruz is Hyundai’s first entry in luxury crossover segment and is targeted at the Lexus RX 350 — all at a price starting $11,000 below the RX.

The front-wheel drive Veracruz GLS will have a starting base price of $26,995 when it goes on sale in spring. Adding all-wheel drive raises the price of the GLS to $28,695. The sportier, mid-level Veracruz SE starts at $28,695 for a front-wheel drive model and $30,395 with all-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line Veracruz Limited starts at $32,995 for the front-wheel drive and climbs to $34,695 for all-wheel drive. All prices include a $690 destination and handling charge.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: Hyundai ##

(more…)

Share This

Hyundai has announced that it will build a new engine plant at its Montgomery, Alabama assembly plant. The new plant will begin engine production in September 2008 and will cost around $270 million. The new engine plant will add 520 jobs to the Montgomery assembly plant. The engines from the plant will be used in vehicle built at Hyundai’s Alabama plant, and also at Kia’s new plant in West Point, Georgia.

Hyundai currently produces V6 engines used in its Sonata sedan and Santa Fe crossover in Alabama.

Hyundai also said that it will begin prodcution of hybrid vehicles in 2009, will an output of 300,000 units annually by 2015.

## Source: Reuters ##

Share This

Hyundai Motor Co, the sixth-largest automaker in the world, has emphatically denied reports that it is interested in acquiring the Chrysler Group, the troubled U.S. arm of DaimlerChrysler.

Hyundai responded to an online article published by the U.K.’s Times of London. “The report is not true… Hyundai Motor did not have a plan (to bid for Chrysler),” said the Korean automake in a brief statement.

“We are not considering to buy Chrysler because our hands are full,” said Hyundai spokesman Jake Jang.

Hyundai has had it own struggles over the last year, following the indictment, and later criminal conviction of Chung Mong-koo, chairman of the Hyundai Motor Group.

## Source: Forbes ##

Share This

Korean automaker Hyundai may also be interested in purchasing Chrysler from DaimlerChrysler, if DCX decides to dump its American arm, according to new reports. Last week, most of the speculation was on a General Motors purchase of Chrysler Group, but now rumors are spreading of a pack of international suitors. Last week, DaimlerChrysler chairman Dieter Zetsche said JP Morgan had been brought in to review Chrysler’s future, saying “all options are on the table.”

Despite its pension deficit, incresing healthcare costs, aging factories and poor product mix, the main draw for Hyundai and other potential foreign buyers is Chrysler’s dealer network. With Hyundai’s big push in the U.S., the expanded dealer network will be a great asset for Hyundai’s growth.

Chrylser has more value than just its dealer network, but it would take a lot of work to reap the rewards. Hyundai has long wanted a full-size truck and the Dodge would be just the ticket. Chrysler’s minivans have been redesigned, and while Hyundai has its own minivan, the Chrysler van’s are the segment leaders.

While a Hyundai purchase of Chrysler makes more sense than a GM bid, it still may not make as much sense as some of the other potential international bidders, like China’s Chery and SAIC.

## Source: TimesOnline ##

Share This

Hyundai has released a single teaser sketch of the crossover concept that it will unveil at next month’s Geneva Motor Show next month. The new crossover concept uses “advanced materials” from its partner GE Plastics.

Designed in Europe, the concept is environmentally friendly and offers excellent results in computer pedestrian safety tests.

Full press release and larger image after the jump.

## Source: Hyundai ##

(more…)

Share This

Earlier this week Hyundai debuted its new 2007 Veracruz crossover for the North American audience at the Detroit Auto Show. The Veracruz is appealing crossover, and with the automaker’s typical value, it appears to be another success-in-the-making for Hyundai.

Check out the video of the 2007 Hyundai Veracruz on road, on snow, and very light-duty off-road.

(more…)

Share This

Hyundai staged the North American debut of its new 2007 Veracruz midsize crossover at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. With the Veracruz, Hyundai continues expanding its product lineup and has now turned its sights on the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

“We are very proud of Veracruz and feel this design will not only reinforce our design direction as a company, but also greatly enhance our escalating brand image on a global basis,” said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, Calif.

While the exterior design of the Veracruz is not as appealing as the second-generation Santa Fe, it is attractively styled. Inside, the interior of the Veracruz features soft-touch, high-quality materials, and low-gloss surfaces, including rushed metal accents and blue backlighting for all interior gauges, switches and buttons, front cupholders are ringed with blue light, and a soft blue spotlight in the overhead console provides subdued task lighting

The Veracruz is powered by the same aluminum 3.8L 260-hp V6 engine out the Azera sedan mated to a six-speed automatic with manual shifting.

Full press release and high resolution photo gallery after the jump.

## Source: Hyundai ##

(more…)

Share This

Spy photographers caught a disguised prototype of the Hyundai Equus on roads around Detroit. The rear-wheel drive Equus will replace the Azera as Hyundai’s flagship sedan when it debuts sometime in 2007 as a 2008 model.

The Equus is expected to get both V6 and V8 engines and will likely retail in the low- to mid-$30,000 range. The Equus has an upscale interior treatment, with wood trim and leather, similar to those seen on the Japanese luxury brands.

In typical Hyundai fashion, the Equus is expected to offer a lot of car for the money, with V8 power at the price of others V6 models.

## Source: Winding Road ##

Share This

Hyundai has announced pricing for its facelifted 2007 Tiburon coupe. The 2007 Tiburon has a starting base price of $17,195 for the GS (including $600 destination). The GT model starts at $19,895, and the SE model has a starting price of $22,595. The GS and GT models come with a 5-speed manual transmission, with an available 4-speed automatic as an $1,000 option. The SE model is only available with a 6-speed manual.

The 2007 Hyundai Tiburon features a restyled exterior with redesigned front and rear fascias, headlights, taillights, hood, front fenders and exhaust tips.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: Hyundai ##

(more…)

Share This

Hyundai presented the world debut of the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday. The Hellion concept is a compact three-door sport crossover designed by Hyundai’s California Design and Technical Center to redefine standard crossover design elements.

Hellion’s architecture was inspired by a tough, hardshell backpack that uses ribs to provide structural and visual strength. To support this, Hyundai used three ultra-lightweight structural ribs to create Hellion’s safety cage, and a removable canvas soft-top completes the “shell”. The Hellion rides on 20-inch Teflon coat wheels and a common rail diesel engine provides power.

The hardshell backpack theme is carried to the inside of the Hellion, with the exterior ribs also evident on the interior.
Seat-mounted gear packs can be converted into backpacks via push-button releases, and the bucket seats are equipped with a hydration system, replacing cupholders.

More images and full press release after the jump.

## Source: Hyundai ##

(more…)

Share This

The Hyundai Tiburon (Hyundai Coupe in many markets) has been quite successful for the automaker. Sales of 221,708 units sold since its launch doesn’t sound like much, but the car has its fans who are looking for a stylish coupe at a bargain price, and there aren’t many other options. The Tiburon / Coupe has been recently facelifted, including a new front fascia, revised air vents in the front fenders, new taillamps, and a revised interior.

With the facelift, Hyundai has released this promo video of the highlighting the car’s revised styling. As promo videos tend to be, there is more flash than details, but it’s still worth a viewing.

Video after the jump.

## Source: The Auto Channel ##

(more…)

Share This

The Chinese joint ventures of Ford and Hyundai have announced that they will recall over 151,000 cars produced in China to fix defects.

Ford said that its venture was recalling 52,838 Focus sedans — its best-selling vehicle in China — made between June 17, 2005, and July 30, 2006, to fix potential problems with the fuel pump.

Hyundai said it will recall 98,559 Elantra and Sonata models to fix potential problems with the vehicle’s ignition system. The affected cars were made between Oct 1, 2004, and March 22, 2005.

## Source: Automotive News ##

Share This

Hyundai presented its all-new upper mid-size Veracruz crossover SUV to the Korean press today. As we have mentioned before, the styling is a bit of a letdown after the Santa Fe and how the vehicle appeared in spy photos. Let’s hope that Hyundai has a few styling tweaks in store for the U.S. market.

For the Korean market, the Hyundai Veracruz will be offered with a 240-hp 3.0L V6 engine, and will be available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions. In the U.S., the Veracruz will be equipped with a 3.8L V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission and will be available with all-wheel drive. The Veracruz will come will standard stability control, standard side-airbags, and side-curtain airbags for all three rows of passengers.

The Hyundai Veracruz will premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

More images after the jump.

## Sources: Carscoop and The Car Connection ##

(more…)

Share This