FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 02/26/2009 The “2009 North American Car of the Year” Hyundai Genesis sedan bolstered its resume with a “TOP SAFETY PICK” rating from 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.

“Hyundai is committed to standardizing the most effective life-saving technologies and Genesis sedan is no exception,” said Michael Deitz, product planning manager for the Hyundai Genesis sedan. “From the debut of Hyundai’s first electronic active head restraint system which helps prevent whiplash, to standard Electronic Stability Control, the most effective new safety technology since the seatbelt, Genesis was designed with safety in mind.”

To qualify for a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of “good” in the Institute’s front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with ESC. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of ESC, which is standard on the Genesis. TOP SAFETY PICK status is applicable for all 2009 Genesis models built after November 2008.

“Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results,” says Institute president Adrian Lund.

According to IIHS, 51 percent of driver deaths in recent model cars occurred in side impacts so the Institute’s side impact test is severe. The Genesis performed well in side-impact tests and earned a “good” overall evaluation. The report notes that both driver’s and passengers’ head and neck are protected against “being hit by any hard structures,” reducing the chance of serious injury.

In the Institute’s 40 mph offset test, 40 percent of the total width of each vehicle strikes a barrier on the driver’s side, mirroring the forces involved in a frontal offset crash between two vehicles. Genesis again scored “good” in the overall evaluation. The report notes that, “Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.”

All new Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. In addition, the Hyundai Assurance Program is now offered on all new Hyundais leased or purchased at a participating Hyundai dealership. Hyundai Assurance allows consumers to walk away from a financing obligation when certain adverse life events occur, providing protection from financial shortfalls that arise from vehicle depreciation (negative equity) up to $7,500. For a limited time, Hyundai is also offering Hyundai Assurance Plus, adding 90 days of payment relief to the existing protection plan. Hyundai Assurance Plus is part of Hyundai’s Spring Sales Event, which runs until April 30, 2009. Hyundai Assurance and Hyundai Assurance Plus are complimentary for the first 12 months of the financing or lease date for vehicles financed through any lender or financing source. The programs supplement all existing consumer incentives, and are available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment history or financed amount of the vehicle. Visit www.HyundaiUSA.com for details.

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.