Archive for the ‘Hyundai’ Category
The pairing is just the latest in a growing line of partnerships.
by Michael Strong on Jun.20, 2018
Hyundai and Audi are partnering up to develop fuel cell technologies.
The automotive industry is increasingly becoming reliant on partnerships, the latest being the tie-up between Hyundai Motor Group and Audi AG.
Like so many other companies before them, the South Korean and German automakers are looking to find a way to get to the promised land of alternative fuel vehicles. In this case, the makers are partnering on the development of fuel cell electric vehicles.
Beyond the Numbers!
Unsurprisingly, whatever patents, technologies and revolutionary breakthroughs resulting from this new coalescence will trickle down, well, more like over to Kia Motors Co. and Volkswagen AG. Kia is Hyundai’s sibling and VW is Audi’s parent companies. These advances can also be shared among other affiliates within either group. (more…)
Tags: Hyundai Audi deal, Hyundai Audi partner up, Hyundai Audi team up, TheDetroitBureau.com., audi news, auto news, automaker partnerships, car company pairings, hyundai news, michael strong, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Audi, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, Business, Executives, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Personalities, Technology, Toyota, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Overall quality reaches record high – and Korean brands lead the surge.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Jun.20, 2018
The Genesis G90 topped its segment while the Genesis brand led the industry overall.
New vehicle quality has reached an all-time high according to the latest J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, and the 2018 IQS reveals a number of surprising trends, starting with the fact that three Korean brands lead this year’s study.
The latest IQS, which looks at “things-gone-wrong” with vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership, reveals that traditional mechanical issues, whether powertrain problems or squeaks, rattles and wind noise, are today increasingly rare. Motorists are far more likely to experience issues with infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems, but many of those problems are also being addressed.
High Quality News!
“There’s no question that most automakers are doing a great job of listening to consumers and are producing vehicle quality of the highest caliber,” said Dave Sargent, the head of global automotive research for Power. “That said, some vehicle owners are still finding problems. As vehicles become more complex and automated, it is critical that consumers have complete confidence in automakers’ ability to deliver fault-free vehicles.”
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Tags: 2018 iqs, IQS, auto news, best car, best quality vehicle, car news, initial quality survey, j.d.power, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, power IQS, quality vehicle, thedetroitbureau, top quality car, vehicle quality
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Chevrolet, Chrysler, FCA, Ford, GM, Genesis, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Markets, Mercedes, Nissan, Porsche, Quality and Reliability, Ram, Toyota, U.S./North America | 1 Comment »
Nissan, GMC, Hyundai and Ram also score well in annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Jun.19, 2018
Genesis was the top brand overall in the 2018 VSA, while the G90 sedan was top Luxury Car.
Reflecting the massive shift from sedans and coupes to SUVs, CUVs and pickups, light trucks are doing a better job of pleasing buyers, at least if the 2018 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are any indication. And SUVs are the most satisfying products of all, reports consulting and research firm AutoPacific, Inc.
But that isn’t a hard and fast rule. Genesis, the new Korean luxury brand that has yet to introduce its first utility vehicle, was the number one brand in the 2018 VSA, edging out more established competitors, such as Lexus, and achieving the highest score ever in the annual satisfaction study.
Best of the Best!
“In just two years, Genesis has reached a level of owner satisfaction unattained by more established luxury brands,” said AutoPacific President George Peterson, adding that the Genesis G90 sedan also won the VSA for Luxury Car for the second year in a row.
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Tags: auto news, autopacific vsa, best vehicle quality, car news, genesis news, high-quality car, high-quality suv, hyundai news, most satisfying vehicle, nissan news, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, ram news, thedetroitbureau, vehicle satisfaction awards, vsa
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Chevrolet, GMC, Genesis, Hyundai, Markets, Nissan, Quality and Reliability, Ram, U.S./North America | 3 Comments »
Korean carmakers will get more regional autonomy in U.S., Europe.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Jun.18, 2018
The new organization is aimed at making the two brands more responsive to local markets.
Hyundai and sibling Korean carmaker Kia already operate as largely autonomous entities. Now, their regional operations in the U.S. and Europe will operate as largely independent operations to “spur sustainable growth and enhance innovation.”
The move to boost regional autonomy by Korea’s largest automaker is no surprise and follows in the footsteps of what has already been done by major Japanese automakers such as Toyota and Nissan. The first step will come with the establishment of new North American regional headquarters for each of the brands on July 2. Europe will follow shortly afterwards, as will other key global regions.
The Inside Story!
In a statement, the Hyundai Motor Group – which includes both Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motor Corp. – said the move will impact “every aspect of the business, ranging from product planning, marketing, sales, and manufacturing,”
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Tags: Hyundai North America, auto news, car news, hyundai kia global reorganization, hyundai news, hyundai reorganization, hyundai suv, kia news, kia north america, kia reorganization, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Europe, Hyundai, Kia, Markets, NAFTA, Sales, Sales, U.S./North America | No Comments »
New EV ready to compete with segment leaders.
by Joseph Szczesny on Jun.13, 2018
Hyundai unveiled the all-electric version version of its Kona model at the NY Auto Show.
The battery-electric version of the Kona, Hyundai’s new crossover utility vehicle, will have a range of 250 miles when it goes on sale next fall.
Michael O’Brien, Hyundai vice president of corporate, product and digital planning, said during a media gathering in Detroit that the EV version of the Kona will have the range to match that of the Chevrolet Bolt, which is currently stated to be 238 miles.
Plug In!
Hyundai is still in the planning stages of the launch of the Kona EV had has not yet decided whether to make it available in all 50 states. However, it will definitely be available in the 10 “Zev States” that follow the emissions standards set down by the State of California to encourage the use of electric vehicles. (more…)
Tags: 2019 Hyundai Kona EV, Hyundai electric vehicles, Kona EV crossover, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, hyundai news, joseph szczesny, new Hyundai EV crossover, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Business, EVs, Hyundai, Markets, Sales, Trends | No Comments »
Hyundai already recalled nearly 600K vehicles for same issue.
by Michael Strong on Jun.12, 2018
The 2011 Kia Forte is part of a larger recall related to an airbag deployment problem..
Kia issued a recall of more than 500,000 cars in the U.S. because the airbags may fail to inflate during a crash, according to the automaker.
The action includes 2010–13 Forte modes, 2011–13 Optima models as well as 2011 and 2012 Optima hybrids and Sedona minivans. The move comes in conjunction with a similar action by Kia’s sibling maker, Hyundai.
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Which brings the total to nearly 1.1 million vehicles due to the problem, which has been linked to four deaths. (more…)
Tags: Kia airbag failure problem, Kia airbag recall, Kia and Hyundai airbag failure, Kia recalls 500K cars, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, kia news, michael strong, recall news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Hybrids, Hyundai, Kia, Markets, NHTSA Investigations, Recalls, Safety, U.S./North America | No Comments »
Company building plant to make enginesu
by Joseph Szczesny on May.30, 2018
Hyundai is investing $388 million for a new plant to build Sonata and Elantra engines.
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama LLC plans to spend $388 million to build a new plant outside Montgomery, Alabama, dedicated to making parts for a new engine for two sedans.
HMMA President and CEO Dong Ryeol Choi announced Hyundai plans to construct a plant dedicated to manufacturing engine heads and enhance existing operations to support production of new models of Sonata and Elantra sedans. The investment will create 50 new jobs, he said.
Stay in the Loop!
HMMA is preparing for the next-generation Hyundai engine, which requires new technologies and components as part of its assembly process. The capital investment will be spent on equipment for the engine head machining plant and updating technology in an existing engine plant. (more…)
Tags: Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai investing in Alabama, Hyundai new plant, Hyundai's $388M engine plant, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, hyundai alabama, hyundai news, hyundai sonata, joseph szczesny, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Hyundai, Markets, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Slightly more practical, Korean entry is still an oddball.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on May.21, 2018
The second-generation Hyundai Veloster gets a larger grille, bolder fenders and wheel arches and a number of powertrain updates.
In their nearly three-decade history here in the U.S., the Koreans have seldom shied away from introducing oddball offerings. And while it’s not quite as quirky as the Kia Soul, the Hyundai Veloster doesn’t readily fit into any neat category. Consider the fact that it has three doors – not including its hatch – one on the driver’s side, two on the passenger side.
While clearly not mainstream, the Veloster has a loyal following, enough to convince Hyundai to ignore current trends that have led most automakers to trim back on their passenger car line-ups – and Ford to all but drop out entirely.
Reviews You Can Trust!
Fittingly, when it came time to launch an all-new, second-generation version of the Veloster, Korea’s largest automaker invited us down to Austin, Texas, a town locked in a battle with Portland, Oregon, for bragging rights as the country’s weirdest city. We won’t take sides on that debate, but after some time behind the wheel of several turbo versions of the 2019 Hyundai Veloster we can weigh in on its merits.
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Tags: 2019 hyundai veloster, Hyundai small cars, Hyundai updates Veloster, Hyundai's new hot hatch, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, hyundai news, new Hyundai Veloster, paul a. eisenstein, second-gen Veloster, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, First Drive, Hyundai, Markets, Reviews, Sales, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Tech distractions and possible tech solutions.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on May.09, 2018
Despite recent efforts to improve safety, pedestrian deaths have risen for the past few years.
Highway deaths have been on the rise in recent years, reversing a long period of improved roadway safety. And one reason for the deadly turnaround has been the skyrocketing increase in pedestrian fatalities.
Since 2009, the number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes has jumped by nearly 50%, and a number of factors are being blamed, including the use of mobile devices by both motorists and pedestrians. But a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety puts a chunk of the blame on the increasing number of SUVs on the road.
Safety First!
Both the number SUVs and their design appear to be factors, according to David Harkey, the president of the insurance industry trade groups, who noted that, “SUVs have higher front ends, and often the design for the vehicle is much more vertical than passenger cars.” That can make for a more blunt impact and less likelihood that a pedestrian being struck by an SUV might be able to roll off the vehicle and reduce injuries.
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Tags: IIHS, auto news, auto safety, car news, crash death, forward collision warning, highway death, highway safety, hyundai news, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, pedestrian death pedestrian fatality, thedetroitbureau, volvo news
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Hyundai, NHTSA Investigations, Safety, Safety, Technology, Traffic Fatalities, Volvo | 1 Comment »
Timing of U.S. launch unclear.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on May.04, 2018
The long-range version of the Kia Niro EV will get 236 miles out of a 64 kWh battery pack.
We got a first look at the concept version of Kia’s all-electric Niro model during the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year. The Korean carmaker has now pulled the wraps off the production model during the Fifth International Electric Vehicle Expo in Seoul.
A quick glance suggests the version that will be rolling into showrooms is a bit more conservative than the CES show car, with relatively conventional lights and bumpers. Perhaps the biggest difference between the Niro EV and earlier versions of the crossover can be seen in the textured, albeit solid, grille – which actually bears more than a passing likeness to the snout on the all-electric Hyundai Kona that debuted at the New York International Auto Show barely a month ago.
Product News!
Kia is being sparse when it comes to offering details about the Niro EV, though it did indicate the battery-electric vehicle will be offered with a choice of two different batteries – at least in some markets – the more powerful, 64 kWh pack will provide enough energy to travel an estimated 236 miles between charges, the 39.2 kWh pack reducing range to around 149 miles.
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Tags: Chevy Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro EV, Kia niro, auto news, battery car, battery suv, car news, electric suv, electric vehicle, hyundai ioniq, kia electric, kia news, nissan leaf, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, tesla model 3, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Autonomous Driving, Business, CES, Chevrolet, Concept Cars, Electrified Vehicles, First Look, GM, Hybrids, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Paris, SUVs, Safety, Semi-autonomous Driving, Technology, Technology, Tesla | Comments Off
