If there is one car company that is not showing any effects of recession, Hyundai Motors has to be it. While other companies are closing down, Hyundai is opening new ones. The Korean car company is making the most of a bad situation with some innovative thinking. And they’re moving up the automotive ranks because of it.

Hyundai is viewed by many as a rising star, backed by ever-improving products with solid five-year warranties. They recently leapfrogged into fifth place – behind Toyota, GM, Ford and Volkswagen – on the market. Locally, Vernon Hyundai is lapping up this wave of success through its recently opened Hyundai dealership.

The $6 million, 17,000 square-foot dealership has more options than a luxury sedan – a cutting-edge service department, wash bay exclusive for customer vehicles, drive through reception, customer lounge with Internet access and leather seating.

Hyundai just finished rolling out seven new models over seven consecutive years, and they are set to repeat the cycle, including several new hybrid options. The mid-range Hyundai Genesis just won North American Car of the Year at the Detroit Auto Show, as well as Canadian Car of the Year.

(Source) Vernon Morning

Tags: american car, bad situation, canadian car, car company, car of the year, customer lounge, customer vehicles, detroit auto, edge service, gm ford, hybrid options, hyundai dealership, hyundai motors, innovative thinking, korean car, leather seating, mid range, recession, rising star, seven consecutive years

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Despite the tumbling economy, Chrysler has been able to weather the storm. One of the big three that was reportedly in dire straits as far as financing operations is concerned, Chrysler LLC’s sales throughout the Midwest, the Rockies and the plains of America posted a retail sales increase of almost 3% over February.

The region has shown positive sales growth for two consecutive months despite industry trends. Chrysler LLC also bucked the trend nationwide reporting March U.S. total sales greater than 100,000 units for the first time since Sept. 2008 and increased retail market share to an estimated 10 percent.

On top of a second month of sales improvements, Dodge Ram 1500 was awarded the 2009 Truck of the Year and the Dodge Challenger was awarded the 2009 Car of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association.

“We are honored by the continuing vote of confidence from our customers, dealers and media across this region. Our focus remains to keep rebuilding their confidence and trust,” said Fred Diaz, Director of the Denver Business Center, Chrysler LLC.

“The market is starting to show small signs of life which need to be nourished like seedlings,” said Jim Press, Vice Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC. “The fact that we exceeded 100,000 units for the first time since last fall is encouraging, and evidence that our improved quality, improved mileage as well as value represented in Employee Pricing Plus Plus are just what the doctor ordered for recession-wary customers who are reluctant to make long-term purchases. It’s too early to see a trend, but spring shows signs of hope.”

(Source) Press

Tags: business center, car of the year, Chrysler, denver business, dodge challenger, dodge ram 1500, market share, mileage, retail sales, rockies, rocky mountain

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In what many are comparing to the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe promises a lot of new features for car enthusiasts looking for affordable and feature-filled cars in the market. It’s the companion to the Hyundai Genesis sedan, a credible car in its own right that was voted 2009 North American Car of the Year by automotive journalists. But you aren’t apt to get the two mixed up. The sedan is a refined family vehicle.

The two-door, in contrast, is sleekly low slung with race car-like styling and two choices of engines, a 2.0-liter turbo four cylinder generating 218 horsepower and a 3.8-liter V6 churning out 306 hp.

The 2.0-liter model starts at $22,000 and is priced around $25,000 with options. The limited edition 3.8-liter version starts at $29,875 and can run with extras up to $32,000 or so. According to Zarres, it is the lowest priced rear wheel drive car in America with more than 300 hp.

The V6 has a six-speed transmission with clutchless manual feature, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, 18 inch alloy wheels, leather seats, xenon headlights and power locks and windows standard. There’s also a host of accessories and safety features, including backup warning system, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control and Bluetooth-enabled hands free phone.

The Genesis coupe likely will replace the Tiburon, which has been Hyundai’s sportier model.

(Source) The Post and Courier

Tags: american car, car of the year, electronic stability control, hands free phone, leather seats, paddle shifters, power locks, safety features, six speed, speed transmission, steering wheel, xenon headlights

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The Opel Insignia first debuted in Paris some months back. And now, it will be debuting in Malta, to which local agents of the United Automobile Limited are going to have a sneak peak today. The Car of the Year is a designation awarded by 59 senior motoring correspondents from 23 European countries. They chose the Insignia from 37 contenders in this year’s competition. Twenty journalists placed the Insignia first.

Opel’s Insignia obtained five stars for safety by the European traffic institution Euro NCAP. The Insignia has also been awarded four stars for child protection and two stars for pedestrian protection – the best ratings given so far in the large family car segment. The independent institute earlier confirmed the high quality of the Insignia’s head rests for protection against whiplash.

The Insignia will be on display at the United Automobile showroom in Abate Rigord Street, Ta’ Xbiex, today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(Source) Times of Malta

Tags: automobile showroom, car of the year, car segment, contenders, european traffic, five stars, opel insignia, two stars

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The Hyundai Genesis, this year’s 2009 North America Car of the year, has placed another feather in its cap as it was chosen as the Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Hyundai’s all-new flagship earned a “good” overall evaluation in side impact, frontal offset and rear crash tests, the highest ranking awarded by the Institute.

Maintaining Hyundai’s emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features to help both prevent accidents and maximize the wellbeing of its occupants in the event of a collision.

The Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardizing key life-saving safety technology, and includes standard features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.

(Source) Press

Tags: Accidents, airbags, car of the year, crash tests, electronic stability control, Genesis, Hyundai, insurance institute for highway safety, north america, passive safety features, rear crash, side impact

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If you think Hyundai Motors was crazy investing a lot on advertising during the Super Bowl, wait until you hear this one. Apparently, Hyundai is not slowing down and announced that they will launch its first national advertising campaign on Oscar Night with eight total spots airing on ABC’s telecast of the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

Building on the momentum of Hyundai’s Super Bowl advertising, Hyundai will again communicate three major initiatives during its airtime, including a significant addition to the innovative Hyundai Assurance program called “Hyundai Assurance Plus,” the “2009 North American Car of the Year” award garnered by the Hyundai Genesis, and the launch of the exciting new Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Hyundai has secured seven 30-second ads and one 60-second ad that will air during the Oscar ceremony.

All-new ads announcing the launch of Hyundai Assurance Plus will debut during the telecast. Hyundai Assurance Plus extends the security offered by the Hyundai Assurance program by adding 90 days of payment relief to the existing protection plan for consumers that finance or lease a new Hyundai between Feb. 23 and April 30.

(Source) Press

Tags: car of the year, coupe hyundai, Genesis, hyundai motors, new hyundai, oscar night, oscars

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Many fans were eager to see what the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe had to offer at the Chicago Auto Show. However, while that is to be expected, Hyundai made another announcement that of which was the team-up with Rhys Millen Racing and Red Bull Energy Drink to campaign the car in the high-energy sport of drift racing this year.

Hyundai unveiled its motorsports program in the U.S. with the help of drift champion Rhys Millen, who will fabricate and race a 550-horsepower Genesis Coupe in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the Formula Drift Professional Drifting Championship and at select Redline Time Attack series events in 2009.

“Today’s announcement puts the Genesis Coupe into three great motorsports series,” said John Krafcik, acting president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We like to refer to the Genesis Coupe as the sinister sibling to the North American Car of the Year, the Genesis sedan, and we look forward to Rhys harnessing every ounce of energy in the Coupe as he campaigns it.”

(Source) Press

Tags: car of the year, chicago auto show, hyundai motor, hyundai motor america, red bull energy drink, rhys millen racing

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Despite being produced on a tight budget, the 2008 Ford Falcon has earned the nod as New Zealand’s Car of the Year for its excellent performance handling, value for money and ease of operation.

The FG-series Falcon was one of nine finalists for this year’s New Zealand Car of the Year award, which is open to new models launched in New Zealand during the 12 months prior to 1 November 2008. The others were the Fiat 500, Honda Accord Euro, Hyundai i30, Jaguar XF, Mazda 6, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Not many people are aware of the existence of the Ford Falcon, an economical car with home and quality finish that can appeal to any car critic today. Garnering the award is an achievement in itself and it certainly helps boost the Ford brand as well.

(Source) NZV8

Tags: 2008 ford falcon, car of the year, economical car, Fiat, fiat 500, honda accord, honda accord euro, Hyundai, hyundai i30, jaguar, Jaguar XF, mazda 6, nissan x trail, subaru forester

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The Honda City has been known to be the smallest and economical car suitable for yuppies these days and its conservative approach towards providing efficient modes of private transportation has been evident in recent years. With its new design, the 2008 Honda City has bagged a couple of awards that included:

Business Standard Motoring Car of the Year
Zigwheels Car of the Year
Zigwheels Sedan of the Year

The Honda City actually bested three other cars in its category and with its refined aero dynamics, it seems to gain attention wherever it may find itself in.

The new Honda City is fully loaded with all active and passive safety features including Dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist and G-CON (G-Force Control Technology) body with a crush-proof survival zone. The new 1.5 L i-VTEC engine delivers 118PS, while being extremely fuel efficient. It is the first car in its segment to be equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift.

Source

Tags: aero dynamics, automatic transmission, car of the year, economical car, Honda, honda city, vtec engine

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