Archive for the ‘Hyundai’ Category
Sixteen auto brands make Top 100 — GM and FCA brands not on the list.
by Michael Strong on Oct.11, 2018
Toyota was the top automotive brand in this year's Best Global Brands Top 100 list, taking seventh overall.
A quick poll of people asking what automaker is the best might net several folks saying “Tesla!” and while it does have a massive market cap, they’d be wrong. The best brand? Toyota.
According to Interbrand’s 2018 Best Global Brands report, Apple was the top company on the list with a valuation of $214 billion. Toyota was seventh on the list at $53 billion, which was up 6% over last year’s result.
Insight!
Overall, 15 automotive brands made the Top 100 list and while there aren’t really any surprises about what ones are on the list, those that are not on the list may be reason to take pause. None of the General Motors brands made this year’s list. The aforementioned Tesla did not make the list either. Nor did any of Fiat Chrysler’s brands. (more…)
Tags: 16 auto brands make Top 100, 2018 Best Global Brands, GM brands not on brand list, TheDetroitBureau.com., Toyota top auto brand, auto news, automotive brands, interbrand, michael strong, thedetroitbureau, top 100 brands
Posted in Asia Pacific, Audi, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, China, Europe, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Markets, Mercedes, Mini, NAFTA, Nissan, Porsche, Quality and Reliability, Safety, Sales, South America, Subaru, Technology, Toyota, Trends, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | No Comments »
New electric crossover gets 258 miles on a charge.
by Joseph Szczesny on Oct.10, 2018
The new 2019 Hyundai Kona electric has a range of 258 miles.
Hyundai has unveiled a battery-electric version of the Kona crossover, the company’s first compact electric crossover for the U.S. market, which it hopes appeals to consumers with active, eco-focused lifestyles of all kinds.
“Our new Kona Electric crossover is a stylish and efficient compact CUV, tailored to the needs of customers who pursue eco-focused active lifestyles requiring generous range,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America.
Product News!
“We’re confident it will set new standards for the electric-propelled compact CUV segment, with outstanding range flexibility, appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading available safety features,” O’Brien added. (more…)
Tags: Hyundai Kona crossover, Hyundai battery-electric crossover, Hyundai debuts Kona EV, Hyundai's new EV, Josesph Szczesny, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, battery-electric Kona, hyundai EV, hyundai news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Automobiles, China, Crossovers/CUVs, EVs, Electrified Vehicles, Europe, Hyundai, Markets, NAFTA, Product Reveals, Sales, South America, Technology, Trends, U.S./North America | 1 Comment »
Final months of 2018 could bring an epic battle.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Oct.08, 2018
Volkswagen appears to be the top selling automaker in the world with less than three months left in the year.
With 2018 quickly drawing to a close, Volkswagen appears to have cemented the global sales crown to its corporate head, rapidly gaining ground from its two closest competitors.
But rivals Toyota and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance are facing a classic, neck-and-neck battle that could see them fighting it out until the last sale is counted, according to data compiled by research firm Focus2Move, for second place.
Business News!
One long-time contender, meanwhile, has dropped out of the race entirely. General Motors, which led the global auto industry for more than seven decades, is well out of the running after selling off its European Opel subsidiary and shuttering operations in several other markets, including Russia and India. (more…)
Tags: GM fourth-biggest automaker, TheDetroitBureau.com., Toyota and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi battle for second place, VW best selling automaker, Volkswagen captures global sales crown, auto news, global auto sales, michael strong, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, China, Europe, FCA, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Markets, Mitsubishi, NAFTA, Nissan, PSA, Renault, Sales, Sales, South America, Toyota, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | 1 Comment »
Systems improve for third consecutive year.
by Michael Strong on Sep.14, 2018
The Ford Mustang earned the highest score in J.D. Power's 2018 Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study.
If you own a car built in the last decade, you’ve been there. You attempt to make a call using the hands-free system – regardless of the manufacturer – and you get a list of people the nice lady in the dashboard would like you to choose from and none of the options are the one you want.
It’s this kind of technology that is both enticing and enraging all at the same time and is most often the target of complaints by new vehicle owners. However, the folks at J.D. Power claim the user experience is getting better.
The Last Word!
According to the J.D. Power 2018 Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study, the number of reported problems with in-car audio, communication, entertainment and navigation technologies has decreased for a third consecutive year, with several technology standouts emerging among manufacturers. (more…)
Tags: Ford Mustang tops infotainment study, J.D. Power news, J.D. Power study, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, infotainment technology improving, michael strong, new Power infotainment system study, new vehicle infotainment, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Acura, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Infotainment, Kia, Lincoln, Markets, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Porsche, Sales, Subaru, Technology, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Rising interest rates pushing buyers toward leases.
by Michael Strong on Sep.14, 2018
Zero-percent financing deals are increasingly difficult to find these days, pushing some into leasing.
Car shoppers are always looking for a deal, and often they’re excited by the prospect of zero percent financing; however, those deals are getting tougher and tougher to find.
The percentage of sales with zero percent finance deals has been cut in half in the last two years — dropping from 14.6% of transactions in August of 2016, to 10.4% last August to just 7.4% this August, according to Edmunds.
Product News!
This drop during the last three Augusts sparks interest because zero percent financing deals usually abound in August and September.
“August truly represents the month that we would have expected to see a turnaround in this trend if one was imminent,” said Jeremy Acevedo, Edmunds’ manager of industry analysis. “Moving forward, shoppers will likely need to do a bit more digging to find other ways to save on a new vehicle because it looks like zero percent finance deals are going the way of the dodo.”
(more…)
Tags: Edmunds zero-percent financing, TheDetroitBureau.com., U.S. News best deals, auto news, best September deals, leasing new vehicles, michael strong, thedetroitbureau, zero-percent deals waning, zero-percent financing
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Dodge, Events, Financing, Hyundai, Jaguar, Leasing, Markets, Mazda, Mercedes, Sales, Sales, Sports Cars, Subaru, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Kia’s biggest-ever SUV teams up with designer superstar Brandon Maxwell.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Sep.10, 2018
Kia's new Telluride Concept is all but production ready -- minus the hat box.
It had all the accessories you might expect on a rugged new SUV, including brush guards, a snorkel for fording deep water and a ladder meant to make it easier to get up to the Kia Telluride’s big luggage racks. But there were also a few things you likely wouldn’t expect, including the leather-wrapped sideview mirrors and the transparent hatbox tied down on the roof rack.
It was all in keeping with the theme of the evening, the new Telluride sharing the stage with designer Brandon Maxwell’s launch of his fall clothing line during New York’s annual Fashion Week. Maxwell, a 33-year-old star in the garment industry, has developed close ties with Kia and may even lend his name to future special editions, he and Kia officials told TheDetroitBureau.com at the weekend event.
We're Always in Fashion!
Automakers have been looking for ways to stand out from the crowd, increasingly searching for alternatives to classic car show product debuts. Kia is just one of several automakers who were active during Fashion Week. The tie-up to Maxwell made sense considering the Texas native’s focus on his down-home roots in this year’s collection.
(more…)
Tags: 3-row suv, Kia Telluride, auto news, brandon maxwell, car news, hyundai palisade, kia 3-row suv, kia brandon maxwell, kia news, kia suv, kia telluride concept, kia telluride pic, ny fashion week, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Advocates, Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Celebrities, Crossovers/CUVs, Designers, First Look, Hyundai, Kia, Markets, Personalities, SUVs, Sales, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
New digital assistant available in March 2019
by Michael Strong on Sep.06, 2018
BMW has developed its own in-car, AI-enabled digital assistant. The system's functions can be accessed by simply saying, "Hey BMW!"
“Hey Google!” appears to have more competition as BMW follows the lead of Mercedes-Benz, Ford and other automakers by making an AI-enabled assistant available in its vehicles with a simple call out: “Hey BMW!”
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is a new proprietary in-car AI assistant that uses an always on-call technology platform. It is an intelligent, digital character that responds to the prompt “Hey BMW” and has the ability to control vehicle settings, navigation and entertainment systems as well as explain vehicle functions and even conducting a conversation.
We Keep You Plugged In!
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will debut in 2019 and mark the start of a new era in which drivers will increasingly be able to operate their car and access its functions and information through voice control, the automaker noted. (more…)
Tags: BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, BMW debuts AI-enabled digital assistant, BMW digital assistant, BMW's new assistant, Hey BMW, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, bmw news, michael strong, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, China, Europe, Ford, Hyundai, Infotainment, Lexus, Luxury Vehicles, Markets, Mercedes, SUVs, Sales, Technology, Toyota, Trends, U.S./North America | 1 Comment »
Overall, consumers slightly happier with ownership experience.
by Michael Strong on Aug.30, 2018
Volvo tied with Lexus for the top brand honors in the latest ACSI survey, receiving its highest score ever.
Vehicle owners in the U.S. are slightly happier with their ownership experience this year than last year, according to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index.
The index, which is the result of surveys of car owners on their overall service and product experience with specific auto brands, creates a score between 1 to 100. According to the latest edition, the industry-wide score for 2018 is 82, up from 81 in 2017.
News You Can Trust!
“Car owners are often highly satisfied—they’ve kicked the tires enough times that they’re happy with their decision when they buy,” said David VanAmburg, managing director at ACSI. (more…)
Tags: 2018 ACSI, 2018 American Consumer Satisfaction Index, Chrysler lowest ranked brand, TheDetroitBureau.com., Volvo and Lexus top auto brands, auto brand rankings, auto news, favorite auto brand rankings, michael strong, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Acura, Audi, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, FCA, Fiat, Ford, GM, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jeep, Lexus, Lincoln, Markets, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Quality and Reliability, Ram, Safety, Sales, Subaru, Toyota, Trends, U.S./North America, Volkswagen, Volvo | Comments Off
Korean carmaker puts a premium face on its “value-priced” SUV.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Aug.27, 2018
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe gets a more classic, SUV look, starting with its redesigned grille.
There’s an old baseball adage: you can’t tell the players without a scorecard. That just might apply to the Hyundai Santa Fe. What started out as one sport-utility vehicle back in 2001 morphed into two, a few years back, with a new, three-row model retaining the Santa Fe name while the smaller, two-row became the Santa Fe sport.
With the fourth-generation crossover just coming to market, buyers might get a little confused. The three-row is now the Santa Fe XL – for extra length, we’ll assume – while the smaller version drops the Sport badge.
Reviews Now!
It would be too bad if any potential buyer is put off by this name game. The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe has a lot going for it, and relatively few things to quibble about. While it retains the Korean carmaker’s traditional focus on “value pricing,” it is anything but cut-rate, with a number of features that give the gen-four Santa Fe a much more upscale feel than many of its mainstream competitors. And, despite the shortened name, it feels even more sporty than the outgoing SUV.
(more…)
Tags: 2019 hyundai santa fe review, auto news, car news, compact suv, compact suv review, hyundai news, hyundai review, hyundai santa fe, hyundai santa fe pic, hyundai santa fe review, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, santa fe review, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, First Drive, Hyundai, Markets, Quality and Reliability, Reviews, SUVs, Safety, Sales, Technology, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Compact sedan gets major sheet metal update, new “light guide” technology.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Aug.22, 2018
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra gets a major makeover, including front end lights and sheet metal.
Most vehicles undergo modest “mid-cycle” updates three to four years after coming to market, though those usually consist of minor, and often indistinguishable tweaks to soft plastic parts, and the addition of perhaps a few new technology features.
But when the 2019 Hyundai Elantra comes to market this autumn, motorists shouldn’t have any trouble recognizing the changes. The compact sedan unveiled Tuesday evening at an event in Park City, Utah has undergone an unusually extensive makeover for a mid-cycle update, one that includes extensive revisions to the sheet metal up front, as well as the introduction of an eye-catching new feature dubbed a “light guide.” And all but the base version of the 2019 Elantra will now get an extensive array of high-tech safety features.
Product News!
“The changes we’re making to the Elantra shows our commitment to this segment,” despite the broad market shift from conventional passenger cars to SUVs and other light trucks, said Mike O’Brien, the head of product planning for Hyundai Motor America.
(more…)
Tags: 2019 elantra, 2019 hyundai elantra, 2019 hyundai elantra pics, 2019 hyundai elantra review, Hyundai Elantra, advanced safety, auto news, auto safety, car news, compact sedan, hyundai news, korean sedan, light guide, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Business, First Look, Honda, Hyundai, Markets, Safety, Safety, Sales, Sales, Technology, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
