Category Archives: Awards

Hyundai Accent Retains Crown as America’s Least Expensive Car

November 25, 2008 — FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — The country’s most dependable sub-compact car is also its most affordable.

The high-mileage 2009 Hyundai Accent has a starting price of $9,970, making it the least expensive new car on the market. But it’s also the “Most Dependable Sub-Compact Car” available (as determined by the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study(SM)) and one of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road today – a trifecta that no other car can match.

“Accent is the perfect vehicle for a customer looking for the ideal mix of price, dependability and fuel economy,” said Mark Dipko, Small Car product manager. “And as a brand known the world over for its value, we feel it is important to retain our crown as the most affordable new car available.”

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai announced even more good news for the Accent, revealing that next year a special high-mileage “Blue” edition will be available that offers even higher levels of fuel economy without adding to the price. Accent “Blue” will feature fuel-efficient modifications to reduce engine friction and rolling resistance, enhance aerodynamics, optimize gearing and revise engine calibrations for maximum efficiency, all adding up to higher fuel mileage and lower emissions than today’s model.

The 2009 Accent GS retains the same content as last year’s model and has not been reduced to achieve America’s best price point. Accent GS offers a 1.6-litre, 110-horsepower engine, power steering, advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof-mounted curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, front variable intermittent wipers, 60/40 split fold-down seatback, six-way adjustable driver seat, adjustable head restraints for all seating positions and rear spoiler.

Pricing for all other Accent models remains unchanged, delivering outstanding value throughout the lineup. In addition to the $9,970 Accent GS 3-door with manual transmission, the Accent three-door with automatic transmission starts at $12,070; Accent GLS 4-door with manual transmission starts at $12,920; and the sport-tuned and comprehensively equipped Accent SE 3-door with manual transmission starts at $15,070. Freight charges for Accent are $695.

All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. Hyundai buyers are protected by a 10-year/100,000-mile power train warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and 5-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance protection.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 790 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

Hyundai Accent received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among sub-compact cars in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study(SM). Study based on responses from over 52,000 original owners of 2005 model-year vehicles, measuring more than 250 models. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in January to April 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

Three Hyundai Models Earn Top Safety Pick Awards

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 11/25/2008 For a second year in a row, three Hyundai models earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award. The Hyundai Veracruz and Santa Fe received awards in the midsize SUV segment and the Hyundai Entourage in the minivan segment. All winning vehicles are recognized for their ability to protect passengers in front, side and rear crashes.

This marks the fourth year in a row the Entourage has received the Institute’s highest honor in the minivan category and second year in a row for the Veracruz and Santa Fe. All three vehicles also earned five-star crash test ratings, the highest government rating under NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program, for both frontal and side impact.

Top Safety Pick awards recognize vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side and rear crashes based on ratings in the Institute’s tests. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation is based on a variety of measures including injuries to dummies, vehicle’s structural performance, restraint performance, etc. Winners are also required to be equipped with the latest crash prevention technology, electronic stability control (ESC) — which is standard on all three Hyundai Top Safety Pick vehicles and 67 percent of all Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S.

According to the IIHS, “Consumers are the biggest winners. No matter what kind of vehicle buyers may be considering, now they can walk into just about any dealership and find one that affords the best overall protection in serious crashes.”

“Hyundai remains committed to the implementation of advanced safety technologies, such as electronic active head restraints, introduced on the 2009 Hyundai Genesis,” said Michael Deitz, manager of product development, Hyundai Motor America. “We’re pleased that three of our models are Top Safety Picks again this year.”

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide.

"Autobytel Inc. Announces 2009 Autobytel / MyRide.com Editors’ Choice Awards"

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The editors and analysts of Autobytel Inc.’s automotive information sites MyRide.com and Autobytel.com today announced their sixth annual Editors’ Choice Awards, revealing the vehicles on the current market that they’d most recommend to car buyers.

“With a shrinking economy, radically changing buyer tastes, the green and the powerful on a collision course, and more choices than ever before, the industry is in total flux, which made choosing our 10 picks more difficult but ultimately more significant than ever,” said Autobytel/MyRide.com Road Test Editor Keith Buglewicz. “Buyers really need help navigating this market – and we’re happy to provide it.”

And the Winners Are…

Best Kept Secret: 2009 Kia Borrego

The 2009 Kia Borrego is a V-8 powered, four-wheel drive SUV that’s capable, comfortable, roomy, and a worthy competitor to any other mid-sized SUV. Sure, the market for trucks like this is shrinking, but even in contracting markets, there’s money to be made and customers to be won, and seeing such a winning formula from Kia was a pleasant, but definite, surprise.

Car of the Year: 2009 Hyundai Genesis

When Autobytel/MyRide.com editors first drove the 2009 Hyundai Genesis, they opined that they were on the verge of a sea change in the automotive landscape on par with the introduction of the Lexus luxury brand in 1990. After more time with the Genesis, they stand by this claim, and award Hyundai the Editors’ Choice Car of the Year award.

Methodology

Autobytel’s editors compiled a list of every new or substantially revised vehicle, assigned them to their respective categories based on factors such as segment and price, and deleted vehicles not driven by at least one editor prior to voting on Oct 28, 2008, with the exception of the Dream Car category. To be considered, a vehicle must be available for sale during the 2008 calendar year. Each editor voted for the vehicle they’d most often recommend, with winners determined by a simple majority.

For more information, or to speak with an Autobytel editor about this year’s selections, please contact: Melanie Webber at 949-862-3023 or melaniew@autobytel.com.

About Autobytel Inc.

Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq:ABTL) is an Internet automotive marketing services company that helps dealers and manufacturers sell cars and related products and services. The company owns and operates consumer-facing automotive websites, including its flagship site, MyRide.com, which is designed to help consumers find, see, buy and learn anything related to automobiles. The company’s other websites are: Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Car.com, CarSmart.com, AutoSite.com, and CarTV.com.

By providing a convenient and comprehensive automotive consumer experience across the purchase and ownership lifecycle, Autobytel seeks to provide dealerships with opportunities to connect with a steady, diverse stream of motivated, serious shoppers, while providing manufacturers with precision-targeted brand and product advertising opportunities. In addition to its websites, the company generates leads and advertising opportunities for dealers and automakers through its marketing network, which includes the AutoReachsm ad network, co-brands, such as ESPN.com, and marketing affiliates such as AOL, Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book.

Tucson and Elantra Make Back-to-School Cars Lists by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 09/03/2008 Kelley Blue Book’s www.kbb.com recognized the 2008 Hyundai Tucson as a “Top 10 New Back-to-School Car” and the 2006 Hyundai Elantra as a “Top 10 Used Back-to-School Car.” The “Top 10” lists are designed to help students and parents decide which vehicles are best to consider for their next automotive purchase by offering expert advice from www.kbb.com editors and top recommendations for getting to and from class in an economical and reliable new or used car.

“There are so many options these days, in both the new- and used-car realm, for safe, fun and affordable back-to-school rides,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book and www.kbb.com. “Hyundai offers vehicles that are better built and better equipped than ever before, and more importantly, they include potentially life-saving standard safety features at prices that parents and students will find difficult to beat.”

The 2008 Tucson boasts safety and convenience with standard safety features like active front head restraints, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and six airbags. It also offers new entertainment upgrades to better fit a student’s lifestyle, such as standard XM Satellite Radio® and an auxiliary audio input allowing drivers to listen to music from their iPod® or mp3 player.

The affordable 2006 Elantra earns high marks with a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features, earning five stars in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a “Good” score in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) crash testing. With more interior volume than key competitors Civic and Corolla, the Elantra provides comfortable and versatile seating for all.

All of the new cars on this year’s Back-to-School lists from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com feature starting New Car Blue Book Values of less than $18,000, while all used cars have a Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value of less than $12,000.

“We’re very honored to have our vehicles recognized by kbb.com as a smart option parents should consider for their children,” said Tim Benner, national manager, Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. “The Tucson and Elantra come equipped with robust standard safety packages, expansive interiors and fuel-efficient engines – all at an affordable price. The Elantra and Tucson exemplify the quality and value that parents are looking for when they are shopping for the household fleet.”

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Accent Named Most Dependable Sub-Compact Car

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HYUNDAI BRAND JUMPS EIGHT RANK POSITIONS IN YEARLY DEPENDABILITY STUDY / PROBLEMS-PER-100 VEHICLES DROP OVERALL BY 14 PERCENT / HIGH-MILEAGE ACCENT AT THE TOP OF ITS CLASS / ALL MODELS IMPROVED OVER LAST YEAR

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 08/07/2008 The fuel-efficient Hyundai Accent, which gets up to 35 miles per gallon on the highway, today was named the most dependable sub-compact car by J.D. Power and Associates in its 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The highly regarded study measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2005 model year) vehicles. The study is based on the responses of more than 52,000 owners of new vehicles bought between November 2004 and April 2005.

In addition to the highest ranking by Accent, Hyundai on the whole made dramatic improvements in its overall dependability scores:
– The number of problems per 100 vehicles over the entire product lineup dropped 28 points to 200, a 14 percent increase over 2007, almost tripling the industry average improvement of 10 points.
– In the “non-premium” segment, Hyundai improved from 13th place to sixth place.
– Hyundai’s score placed it 13th among the 38 nameplates measured in the study and placed it ahead of the industry average for the first time.
– Each product in the Hyundai product portfolio improved over last year.

“Our continued dedication to quality is paying off for consumers, and this year’s Vehicle Dependability Study is further demonstration of the strides we are making,” said Barry Ratzlaff, Hyundai Motor America director of product quality. “Customers deserve higher levels of quality at the time they buy their vehicle and throughout its lifetime. Our improving initial quality and long-term dependability show that we’ve responded in a meaningful way for the long term.”

Ratzlaff went on to say that with the results achieved in this year’s dependability survey that Hyundai had reached a top tier of only a small number of brands that are above industry average in both initial quality and dependability.

The Accent scores registered only 187 problems per 100 cars, a more than 20 percent improvement over 2007 results. This improvement was mostly accounted for by measured improvements in the engine, climate controls and seating categories.

The VDS study measures problem symptoms of three-year-old vehicles primarily in categories such as ride, handling, braking, temperate controls, seats, engine performance, driving dynamics and interior and exterior durability. The VDS is one of three J.D. Power and Associates quality studies, along with the Initial Quality Study (IQS) that measures quality after 90 days of ownership, and the Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study that measures customer perceptions on the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Elantra beats Toyota Corolla in Consumer Reports’ test of five small sedans

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Redesigned Toyota Corolla gets excellent 32 mpg in CR’s stringent fuel economy tests

Yonkers, NY — After testing a group of compacts and subcompacts, Consumer Reports judged the Hyundai Elantra SE best with an “Excellent” overall road test score. But three other compact cars, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus, also achieved “Very Good” ratings in a report on gas-saving sedans published in the July issue.

The Corolla achieved a very impressive 32 mpg overall in Consumer Reports’ real-world fuel economy tests. That’s among the best gas mileage CR has seen in a conventional gasoline-powered car with an automatic transmission. Only the smaller Honda Fit (32 mpg) and Toyota Yaris (33 mpg) subcompacts do as well or better.

Two Chevrolets were also tested as part of this group, the Cobalt and Aveo. Both ranked near the bottom of the pack. Among compact sedans, the Cobalt ranks 17th out of 19 vehicles tested. Among subcompacts, the Aveo ranks last among the 12 vehicles tested.

Prices for the six cars in CR’s tests range from $16,205 for the subcompact Aveo LT to $19,106 for the Impreza 2.5i which is all wheel drive. Even with prices under $20,000, the best of today’s small cars provide many convenience features, comfortable interiors, good refinement, and improved fuel economy.

Full tests and ratings of the test group appear in the July issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale June 3. The issue features a cover package of stories on gas-saving cars, with CR’s ratings on a total of 31 small sedans and 21 top used cars with great mpg figures. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org.

The Elantra’s top rating in the small sedans class shows how far Hyundai has come in the last decade. Its cars used to be unreliable and unrefined, with low scores in CR’s tests. Now, some compete with the best in their classes.

Formal evaluations on these vehicles were completed earlier this year, which allowed Consumer Reports to name the Elantra SE its Top Pick in the small sedan category for its Annual April Auto issue. It outpoints the Honda Civic EX with a manual transmission by just a fraction of a point–but also comes with standard electronic stability control, a very important safety feature.

Of the vehicles in this report, Consumer Reports is Recommending the Elantra, Impreza, and Focus. CR doesn’t have reliability data yet on the redesigned Corolla. The Cobalt scores too low in CR’s road tests to be Recommended; its reliability has been average. The Aveo also scored too low in testing to be Recommended; its reliability has been below average. Consumer Reports only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR’s Annual Car Reliability Survey of its more than seven million print and web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

The Elantra SE is a well-rounded package with a quiet, roomy cabin, a comfortable ride, and nice fit. It provides excellent braking and very secure emergency handling, aided by the SE’s standard electronic stability control. Fuel economy is respectable at 27 mpg overall. The Elantra SE ($17,980 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price as tested) is equipped with a 132-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic that delivers reasonable acceleration and smooth and responsive shifts. The Elantra delivered the shortest braking distances and achieved a Very Good score in CR’s emergency handling tests. The nice-sized trunk can be expanded by lowering the 60/40-split rear seatbacks.

The redesigned Impreza is a pleasant and practical car with the most comfortable ride of any small car tested by Consumer Reports. It has more rear-seat room, a quieter cabin, and better fit and finish than the previous model. While its handling is still fairly agile, the Impreza isn’t as sporty to drive as its predecessor. Its standard all-wheel-drive helps in slippery conditions but saps fuel economy: its 24 mpg ties for lowest in this group with the Cobalt. The Impreza 2.5i ($19,106 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 170-hp, 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine and was among the quickest in this group from 0 to 60 mph. The car’s optional four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is very good. The small trunk can be expanded by folding down the 60/40-split rear seatbacks.

The pleasant and refined Corolla provides a comfortable ride, an improved driving position, and a roomier rear seat, compared with the previous model. But the interior fit and finish isn’t quite as good. Aided by optional electronic stability control, handling is responsive and secure if not sporty. The Corolla LE ($18,404 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 132-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that accelerates reasonably and gets excellent fuel economy. In highway driving, the Corolla gets 40 mpg. The four-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive. Braking is very good overall. Trunk room is adequate and can be expanded by folding the 60/40-split rear seatbacks.

Ford’s freshening of the Focus doesn’t hide the fact that the underpinnings for this car’s design are nine years old. The Focus was once CR’s top-rated small car, but now it rates only midpack. It retains some of its strengths–agile handling, a composed ride, and a roomy interior. But interior fit and finish and noise remain weak points. The Focus SES ($18,490 MSRP as tested) is equipped with a 130-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers average performance. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is very good, though stopping distances are longer than in the previous generation Focus. There’s ample trunk room, and the trunk can be expanded by folding the 60/40-split rear seatbacks.

The Cobalt offers plenty of equipment for the money, especially when you factor in sale incentives. The Cobalt LT tested carried an MSRP of $17,450. But it is a lackluster car that falls short in several areas, including powertrain refinement, fit and finish, seat comfort and driving position. Recent tweaks have improved fuel economy and reduced engine noise a bit, but those changes also compromised acceleration, braking, and cornering grip. The Cobalt’s 148-hp, 2.2-liter engine delivers decent acceleration but just 24 mpg overall in CR’s tests. The optional four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The moderately sized trunk expands when you fold down the 60/40-split rear seatbacks.

Recent upgrades to the Aveo haven’t made it competitive in its class of subcompacts, which include Honda’s Fit and the Toyota Yaris. It suffers from a stiff ride, uncomfortable seats, a noisy cabin, clumsy handling, and slow acceleration. Its 25 mpg overall fuel economy is disappointing for such a small and slow car. But at least the Aveo features relatively easy access, decent trunk space, and a tight turning circle. The Aveo LT ($16,205 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 103-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers only fair acceleration. The four-speed transmission shifts smoothly enough. The 60/40-split rear seatbacks fold forward to increase cargo space.

With more than 7 million print and online subscribers, Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Web site; the magazine’s auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To become a subscriber, consumers can call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Hyundai Entourage Wins AutoPacific 2008 Ideal Vehicle Award

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 07/10/2008 Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific announced that the Hyundai Entourage won the 2008 Ideal Vehicle Award with a “Best-in-Class” rank in the Minivan Segment. The victory marks the second consecutive top performance for Entourage in this competitive study.

AutoPacific’s third annual Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) ranked auto manufacturers for how closely their 2008 model-year cars or trucks came to matching owners’ expectations and criteria. The vehicles that customers said they would change the least were considered the most “ideal.”

“Earning a five-star safety rating, owners gave the Entourage kudos for its safety features,” said George Peterson, president, AutoPacific. “Owners complimented the exterior styling including wheels and tires, and gave the Entourage high ratings for passenger room, seat firmness and interior lighting.”

To determine the winners, AutoPacific asked owners to rate their new car or truck on how close it came to “ideal” in the following areas: exterior size; passenger roominess; cargo space; driver’s seat comfort; driver’s seat visibility; interior technology; power; ease of getting in and out; interior storage compartments; and tires and wheels.

“We are pleased to accept the Ideal Vehicle Award for the Entourage for the second year in a row,” said Brandon Ramirez, manager, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “With its superior standard safety features, quality interior convenience features and an impressive exterior design, the Entourage is truly a great deal for value-conscious families.”

The 2008 Hyundai Entourage uses a powerful 3.8-liter V6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission – all backed by Hyundai’s 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. It includes standard safety features like electronic stability control (ESC), six air bags, active front seat head restraints, which have earned the Entourage a top five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) and a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) – the best rating ever for a minivan. The IVA ratings reflect input from buyers of new vehicles purchased from September 2007 through December 2007. Over 33,500 respondents provided input for these awards.

AUTOPACIFIC

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year it publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies for the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Additional information can be found at www.autopacific.com.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 790 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe Wins North American Production Preview Concept Vehicle of the Year

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DEARBORN, Mich., June 24, 2008 – Hyundai received the 2008 “Production Preview Vehicle of the Year” award for its Concept Genesis Coupe at the seventh annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards today. Concept Genesis Coupe closely resembles the production model which will join Hyundai’s lineup in the spring of 2009. The awards, organized by the South East Automotive Media Organization (SEAMO), recognize those vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry. Winners were honored in a ceremony at the Automotive Hall of Fame.

According to juror Kevin Kelly of Automotive Design & Production, the Concept Genesis Coupe is “sporty, aggressive and modern – not words you commonly associate with Hyundai design, with the exception of this car. The Concept Genesis Coupe doesn’t try to be a muscle car in the vein of the American concept, it busts through those doors to create something that’s a combination of sport and a bit of luxury that will still appeal to those who want power.”

“It’s rewarding that SEAMO recognized how closely Concept Genesis Coupe foreshadowed the production model’s breakthrough design,” said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer, Hyundai Design, North American Design Center. “Our design objective for the concept was to create a ‘Tuner’ version of the production car. This allowed us to exaggerate the front and rear fascia designs as well as introduce more aftermarket design details in keeping with a tuner image.”

Some of these items include the carbon fiber hood, roof panels and lower valence panels to the larger, more aggressive front air intake and dual exhaust ports in the rear.

“The production Genesis Coupe will be another excellent example of Hyundai’s commitment to outstanding quality, value, safety and forward-looking design” Piaskowski added.

A jury of more than two dozen professional automotive journalists from throughout North America selected the concept award winners from the 40 concept vehicles and 12 production preview vehicles that made a North American debut during the 2008 auto show season. The Concept Award panel is assembled by peer selection, and the jurors do not pay or get paid to participate.

The “Production Preview” category is for those vehicles based on a model that has already been announced or planned for production. As a “reality check” between the design and production stages of development, production preview concepts continue to grow in importance.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which debuted at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show, is a new benchmark for affordable 300-horsepower sports coupes. The Genesis Coupe is a purpose-built rear-wheel drive sports coupe featuring two performance-focused engines – a 212-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a range-topping all-aluminum 306-horsepower, DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by almost 800 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

Hyundai Veracruz Wins 2008 AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 05/29/2008 The 2008 Hyundai Veracruz ranked above the competition in the Large Crossover Sport Utility Vehicle category in AutoPacific’s 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA). AutoPacific’s VSA, based on owner survey results, is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied owners are with their new car or light truck.

“Today there are more nameplates and fewer buyers than a decade ago and the 2008 calendar year is the most challenging year for the American auto industry since the mid-1990s,” said George Peterson, president, AutoPacific, Inc. “This extremely competitive situation means that automakers need to use any advantage they have to get their vehicles considered and purchased.”

“We are pleased and honored to have been recognized with such an influential industry award,” said Scott Margason, national manager of Product Development at Hyundai Motor America. “Veracruz is an exceptionally well-equipped vehicle, boasting the latest safety technologies like Electronic Stability Control, convenience features like a proximity key, and a quiet, comfortable ride. Veracruz is a prime example of Hyundai’s commitment to achieving maximum customer satisfaction.”

AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are driven by data collected from more than 34,000 buyers and lessees of new vehicles acquired during September through December 2007. Buyers and lessees rate 46 attributes related to a vehicle’s operation, comfort, safety and overall purchase experience. The awards recognize vehicles in 28 different categories. A complete description of scoring methodology and a list of all winners can be found at www.autopacific.com.

Hyundai Santa Fe Tops Strategic Vision 2008 Total Quality Index in Small SUV Category

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 05/28/2008 The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe was named Best-in-Segment, topping the small SUV category in Strategic Vision’s 2008 Total Quality Index™ (TQI). The Total Quality Index measures total vehicle satisfaction among new car owners. Santa Fe earned the honor for the second consecutive year, a significant accomplishment in one of the most competitive automotive segments annually.

“Hyundai’s continued success with the Santa Fe is not surprising given its current products and press, as well as its leadership team who is looking strategically to the future with new designs from styling to powertrain,” reports Dr. Darrel Edwards, founder and CEO of San Diego-based Strategic Vision.

The Hyundai Santa Fe beat out competitors such as the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler four-door for the top spot in the category.

“The Strategic Vision Total Quality Index recognizes Santa Fe’s tremendous quality and terrific consumer appeal,” said Scott Margason, national manager of Product Development at Hyundai Motor America. “In addition to great design, quality, safety and value, Hyundai also offers outstanding fuel economy, ranking in the top three among all automakers in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

The Total Quality Index was calculated from the responses of 20,655 vehicle buyers who bought 2008 models in September, October and November of 2007. Consumers were asked an array of questions about their ownership experience, including buying, owning and driving their new vehicles. The Index 2008 results were based on ratings of new vehicle owners in 19 product categories. Strategic Vision has presented the Total Quality Index annually since 1995.