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Tag: Hyundai

  • Hyundai launches ‘global luxury’ Genesis

    Hyundai launches ‘global luxury’ Genesis

    Hyundai Motor has announced an all-new global luxury brand – Genesis – that will deliver ‘human-centered’ luxury through a range of new models that feature the highest standards of performance, design and innovation, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    The new Hyundai Genesis is a brand that would compete with the world’s leading luxury car brands. Refined performance, athletic elegance in design and human-focused, are part of innovations that elevate the Genesis brand.

    Created for a new generation of discerning consumers, Genesis will be a stand-alone brand that operates alongside the company’s popular Hyundai Marque. Capitalising on its success in the fast-growing global car market, Hyundai Motor will launch six new Genesis models by 2020 to compete with the world’s most renowned luxury car brands.

    The name – Genesis, – which also means new beginnings, hints at the new values and standards that, the brand will bring to the global luxury car market. Initially on sale in the Korean, Chinese, North American and Middle Eastern luxury car markets, the Genesis brand will expand its reach to Europe and other parts of Asia as the model range grows to full strength.

    Setting the brand’s cars apart from competitors, innovation will begin with the consumer, with customer requirements directing development. This philosophy echoes the vision of Hyundai Motor to be a ‘lifetime partner in automobiles and beyond’, with the ‘Modern Premium’ brand direction of Hyundai reinterpreted for the new Genesis Marque.

    The Genesis brand seeks to create a new definition of luxury, one that will provide a new platform for future mobility centered on people. By anticipating human needs at every touch point, Genesis models will embody four key aspects: Human-focused innovation, refined and balanced performance, athletic elegance in design and hassle-free customer experience.

    “We have created this new Genesis brand with a complete focus on our customers who want smart ownership experiences that save time and effort, with practical innovations that enhance satisfaction. The Genesis brand will fulfil these expectations, becoming a market leader through our human-centered brand strategy,” said Euisun Chung, Hyundai Motor Company Vice Chairman.

    Genesis models will boast outstanding driving dynamics and design, with innovations tailored to closely-meet the needs of customers. The new model line-up will distance itself from the traditional technological overload of brand-focused competitors, concentrating instead on a personalised, hassle-free customer experience. Continuing the customer-oriented approach that flows through every Genesis model, sales and service staff will provide rapid and attentive service to customer’s requests.

    To elevate and differentiate the Genesis brand from Hyundai, a distinct design identity, emblem, naming structure and customer service offering is being established.

    Genesis models will be badged with a new wing-type emblem, redesigned from the version used on the current Genesis model to create an even more luxurious look. This emblem firmly cements the Genesis models as a collective family of luxury models under the Genesis nameplate.

    The Genesis brand will also adopt a new alphanumeric naming structure. Future models will be named by combining the letter ‘G’ for Genesis with a number, 90, 80 or 70 etc., representing the segment.

    Woong Chul Yang, Head of Hyundai Motor R&D Center and Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor said: “The Genesis models will provide technological innovation, excellent driving performance and luxury to customers. Every Genesis model will be created with the needs of our customers in mind, so the resulting car will perfectly meet their needs without any unnecessary burden or excess.”

    Fitted with the latest proactive safety technologies, intuitive convenience features and IT connectivity, Genesis models are engineered to provide excellent ride comfort while retaining confident sportiness.

    To develop a distinctive and differentiated design for the new Genesis brand vehicles, Hyundai Motor has created a Prestige Design Division. From mid-2016 Luc Donckerwolke, who was previously responsible for the design of Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, SEAT and Skoda models at the Volkswagen Group, will lead this new division alongside his role as Head of the Hyundai Motor Design Centre. The work of the new Prestige Design Division will be overseen by Peter Schreyer, as part of his group-wide design responsibilities as President and Chief Design Officer (CDO) of Hyundai Motor Group.

    “In creating the design signature of Genesis brand cars, we set out to display confidence and originality, creating highly desirable products that present new charm through innovative styling and proportions,” Schreyer said.

  • Hyundai partners bank on credit facility

    Hyundai partners bank on credit facility

    Hyundai Motors Nigeria in partnership with Diamond Bank Plc have inaugurated another vehicle finance initiative tagged: ‘Hyundai-Diamond Dream Deal: It’s time to own a brand new Hyundai’.

    The credit initiative is aimed at helping desiring patrons and fleet managers to access low interest bank credit for the procurement of discounted Hyundai vehicles without necessarily paying commitment and management fees.

    Both corporations brokered this agreement in Lagos at the launch of the scheme designed to ease challenges associated with accessing bank credit to procure choice cars.

    Hyundai Motors Head of Sales and Marketing, Jatin Nadkarni said: “The credit scheme is in line with Hyundai strategy and direction of making vehicle acquisition a seamless experience.”

    According to him, “Successful customers would, aside these seamless benefits, enjoy series of other offers including free six months service including labour and consumables; interest rate as low as 14 per cent; discounted prices; five-year or 100, 000Km warranty and free Samsung Galaxy tab for every car purchased.”

    He said the Hyundai Motors’ goal is to encourage more prospective customers to buy new Hyundai vehicles, particularly now that the Federal Government is committed to the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).

    “What we are simply doing in collaboration with Diamond Bank is to help prospective buyers starve-off the burden of sourcing funds in one fell-swoop to buy a new car. Now, you can simply source credit to buy your choice car and thereafter pay at your convenience,” Nadkarni explained.

  • Hyundai marks three million Middle East sales

    Hyundai Motor Company is celebrating the sale of its three millionth vehicles in the Middle East, 39 years after it began operations in the region.

    Its officials gathered at the Ulsan Plant in Korea to mark the occasion and thank customers.

    The company is offering a new 5 year/100,000km warranty across all models.

    Firmly established as the second biggest automotive manufacturer across the region, Hyundai arrived in the Middle East 1976. Almost four decades on, the brand has enjoyed success right across the region. And now customers purchasing Hyundai models can take advantage of a new five years/100,000km warranty package, making the decision to purchase a Hyundai even easier.

    In terms of bestselling markets, Saudi Arabia has taken pole position for Hyundai, benefiting from the brand’s approach of working with three different distributor partners across the Kingdom. This was followed by Jordan which is one of the Middle East’s leading markets in terms of sales volume. Not far behind is the UAE and Oman which also prove to be important markets for the manufacturer.

    Highlighting the popularity of the brand’s diverse product offering, Hyundai can point to a compact car, a mid-size sedan and a compact SUV as its best-sellers across the decades. Having sold over 667,000 units to date, the Elantra is by far the company’s most popular Middle East model. The Sonata, which saw its seventh generation version launched in the region just last year, has recorded sales of over 321,000, while the Tucson took the honours in third place with sales exceeding 242,000 units.

    Commenting on this milestone, Jin (James) Kim, Vice-President and Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East, said:  “Meeting the three million vehicle mark is testament to the strength of our brand, and the quality and value offered across our wide model range. By purchasing our vehicles in ever increasing numbers, nothing highlights more powerfully the confidence that our customers have in us and our products.’’

    “This success is also down to the continued support of our distributor partners, who have invested in developing unrivalled facilities and unrivalled customer service offerings and this new warranty is the perfect example of the type of unbeatable offers which are available in the region.”

    Established in 1967 in Korea, Hyundai Motor Company began operations in the Middle East just nine years later, since then it has gone from strength to strength. Key milestones include the manufacturer reaching the cumulative one million sales mark in the region in 2005 and the two million sales mark in 2012. It also broke the 300,000 barrier for annual sales for the first time in the same year, something it went on to repeat in 2013 and 2014.

    In the first half of 2015 alone, the Korean brand has sold 168,878 vehicles in the region, representing a strong year-on-year increase in sales. With several key model launches coming out later this year, including the All-New Tucson, the All-New Sonata Hybrid and the Creta, a completely new compact SUV, the manufacturer is well set to continue the success of the past 39 years.

  • Hyundai unveils Grand Santa Fe

    Hyundai unveils Grand Santa Fe

    The newly introduced Hyundai Grand Santa Fe might as well be the most attractive crossover yet given the enormous progress the South Korean automaker has infused in terms of design, build quality and engineering.

    Emerging from a total makeover, the new Grand Santa Fe according to Hyundai Motor Company replaces its predecessor – Vera Cruz, but essentially remains the same Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), except that it fulfils the criteria for a typical 6-seater SUV commonly referred to as ‘Captain’s Chair.’

    The Grand Santa Fe is 225mm longer than the regular Santa Fe, incorporating an extended 100mm wheelbase with higher and wider dimensions, which incidentally gives the Grand Santa Fe a deserving place in the entire large crossover/SUV market.

    The Grand Santa Fe indeed feels more at home in the city owing to its sophisticated style and dynamic attitude – thanks to Hyundai engineering design characteristics.

    Hyundai Grand Santa Fe SUV would no doubt appeal to very many drivers that appreciate details and novelty like the three split-folding seats in the second row and fully-folding seats in the third row yet with a total of 634litres of boot space behind the second row of seats.

    The six-seater Hyundai Grand Santa Fe is indeed ideal for the large family. It comes equipped with ample knee and leg room with enough room for three adults in the rear and one kid in the third row.

    The seats themselves are more shapely and supportive than in the previous Santa Fe, with very good bolstering on the bottom cushion that’s not overly firm.

    Couple with these is storage for small items in the glove-box and console, as well as for drinks in the door pockets and dual cup holders with plenty of configurations in case one is transporting cargo.

    The Santa Fe’s rear seats also fold down as a trio or individually, and flatly, to free up more space while the front passenger seat folds flat too, for carrying very long objects.

    Hyundai’s Grand however offer loads of striking features such as rear packing assist, auto light control cooling glove box, integrated memory seat, cruise control, full auto air-conditioning and rear air conditioning.

    In addition are full leather upholstery, a premium six speakers virtual surround sound system, driver/passenger side and curtain air bags, smart key with button start and sun roof/ roof rack with motor driven power steer and anti lock brake system.

    For easier boot access, the rear loading height has been lowered by 18mm with an optional power tailgate feature and a remote-folding function for the second-row seats.

    All seats including the power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support are supportive and comfortable. The full-length panoramic sunroof adds to the sense of roominess in the cabin. Meanwhile, the rear privacy glass and blinds makes it less claustrophobic for second and third-row passengers.

    The exterior poses some notable differences too. At the front, there is a new four-bar radiator grille, premium-style fog lamps and a wide skid plate. The sides pose wider rear quarter glass, different 19-inch alloys and enhanced wing mirrors while the rear features a new dual muffler, restyled rear combination lamps and new rear bumper skid plate.

    Powered by a 3.3-litre V6 engine which produces 270 hp and 318 Nm of torque, the Grand Santa Fe has one of the smoothest engines on the market with a six-speed automatic transmission.

    As for safety, the Grand Santa Fe offers Electronic Stability Control (ESC), driver/passenger side and curtain airbags for maximum defense against injury. Depowered driver and passenger airbags minimize injuries from frontal impact while side curtain airbags ensure that your passengers are protected from side impact.

  • Hyundai showcases Naija-made Grand Xcent

    Hyundai showcases Naija-made Grand Xcent

    The B-segment made-in-Nigeria Hyundai Grand Xcent passenger car is continuing to excite and attract patrons with penchant for budget car with efficiency and practicalities of a mid-size sedan, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    Introduced into the market in February, the B-segment made-in-Nigeria Hyundai Grand Xcent passenger car has demonstrated that a comfortable and spacious car doesn’t have to be cumbersome but rather, cultured and practical to deliver value for money.

    Powered by an all-aluminum 1.25-litre Kappa Dual VTVT capacity engine, the Grand Xcent is quiet and smooth with exceptionally low weight materials to maximise fuel consumption.

    The Grand Xcent is Hyundai Motors Nigeria second indigenously assembled budget car after a similar model – the Grand i10 – which was launched last November.

    Mated to a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission which the makers described as an entirely new level of art and innovation, the new Hyundai Grand Xcent would appeal to an appreciably sized family and companies in search of functional pool car.

    The Grand Xcent is imbued with comfortable bucket-type front seats and ergonomically designed rear seats with adjustable headrests and ample support that gives the car a premium feel.

    Interestingly, the Grand Xcent 1.25cc engine is amazingly responsive and gets off to a fantastic start without sacrificing the brilliant aerodynamic appeal that makes the car the best entry level sedan yet.

    Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited Head of Sales and Marketing Jatin Nadkarni said the company was delighted to introduce another B-segment car to cater for the need of a highly important market segment that wants affordably priced functional and reassuring saloon car for their daily travels.

    He attributed the success of the Grand Xcent to the Federal Government’s National Automotive Industrial Development Plan, which he described as a motivation for introducing a truly people’s car that caters for a new market segment that craves for efficiency and practicality.

    “This car responds to every expectation with alluring cabin colour, textures and shape, yet sporting an appeal that could easily make large car envious,” Nadkarni said.

    The car also shows sharp styling with a whole new level of innovation that attests to the luminously crafted exterior that leaves an everlasting impression on all those who ride in it.

    This is in addition to the Xcent clear headlight clusters which doesn’t only look good but improves night vision and on-road visibility with extra safety and a chrome-coated radiator grille positioned to guarantee strong presence.

    Also striking in the Grand Xcent is the lib-eral boot space that could accommodate your weekend luggage with bench folding function that provides an extra flat load space.

    The car similarly comes equipped with precision designed bumper that reduces forward air flow resistance just as the rear spoiler effect combines to enhance fuel economy and driving stability.

    Hyundai, however, does not compromise on safety, especially when viewed against the structural safety that utilises anti corrosive steel, ring structure application to enhance rigidity and body robustness.

    The Grand Xcent may yet remain the most attractive budget car for field marketers and young couples looking for versatile and fashionably outstanding car with extraordinary features and affordable price tag.

    ‘The car is equipped with precision-designed bumper that reduces forward air flow resistance just as the rear spoiler effect combines to enhance fuel economy and driving stability’

     

  • Hyundai to release semi-autonomous cars

    Owners of Hyundai Motor’s upcoming Equus will be able to take their hands off the steering wheel and feet off the brakes as they are travelling down the highway, and let their car do the driving.

    The South Korea-based automaker plans to integrate a host of self-driving features into its premium sedan later this year, transforming it into a semiautonomous vehicle.

    Highway driving assistance features will allow the new Equus to stay in lane, slow down and speed up as necessary to avoid collisions. The price of the new Equus hasn’t been determined but should be similar to Hyundai’s current models, ranging from US $61,500 to $68,750, officials said.

    The main markets for the new Equus will be South Korea and the United States, company officials said at a briefing ahead of the Seoul Motor Show, which opened last Friday.

    Separately, Hyundai also announced traffic jam assistance functionality, which allows self-driving in cities, where stop-and-go driving at lower speeds is required. The company did not say which models would have this feature, or when the technology would be released.

    “It is time for us to take a leap in quality and to lead in the global race for environment-friendly, energy-efficient and high-tech cars,” said Kim Choong-ho, the president of Hyundai, during the media briefing last Thursday.

    Instead of following the lead of global tech companies investing in completely self-driving vehicles, Hyundai will focus, at least for now, on mass production of semiautonomous, driver-assistance technologies, allowing drivers to take control when they want to and have fun behind the wheel, the company said in a statement. Hyundai did not mention specific company names, but Google has been developing self-driving cars, and Apple is reportedly working on similar technology.

    Hyundai, meanwhile, will further hone ultra-precise, vehicle-to-vehicle sensors and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication technologies for future models, it said. Its ultimate goal is to commercialise completely autonomous vehicles, the company said.

    The company has already announced that it will invest two trillion won (US$1.8 billion) in driverless technologies by 2018. At the Seoul show, Hyundai affiliate Kia showcased an automobile with self-parking functions and a service that mirrors Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions, allowing iOS and Android devices to be used for in-car entertainment and navigation. The company has not yet decided which specific models will carry those functions.

    However, laws and roadways are not quite ready for driverless cars.

    “If someone was driving the Hyundai car on self-driving mode and got into an accident on the road, it would be illegal and probably not insured,” said Sohn Joo-chan, director of industrial IT convergence research at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute in Daejeon, Korea.

    It may take seven to 10 years for self-driving vehicles to go public in a safe and legal manner, because infrastructure and traffic codes need to be updated, he noted.

  • Hyundai receives innovation award for Intrado

    Hyundai Motor has received the Jury Prize at the JEC Innovation Awards 2015 for its innovative carbon-fibre frame design showcased on the Intrado concept car. The prize was presented during the JEC Europe 2015 conference in Paris this month.

    The JEC Innovation Awards recognise technical excellence, market potential and originality, rewarding the most innovative composite solutions worldwide. The organisation selected the lightweight and futuristic frame of Intrado, which complements the concept’s advanced fuel-cell powertrain and design, representing the progressive spirit of Hyundai Motor.

    At the core of Intrado’s pioneering frame are carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) sections, which are based on carbon-fibre tubes. This approach allows for more effective and flexible use of the carbon material, avoiding off cuts and long energy-consuming preparation processes. The unique process is a major forward step when compared to conventional steel and other CFRP chassis architectures.

    The minimalistic, self-supporting skeleton-like frame structure is highly stable and extremely light weight, saving 70 per cent weight compared to a conventional chassis and around 30 per cent on the overall vehicle weight, without compromising safety attributes.

    One essential element of the frame’s overall rigidity is the floating centre console beam. This beam provides Intrado with its unique strength as well as connecting the seating and powertrain to the carbon frame. It serves as a mounting point for essential controls and adds to the vehicle’s protective structure. Additionally, it supports the frame’s integration with the fuel cell powertrain components.

    The Intrado frame is a result of global collaboration and knowledge-exchange not only within Hyundai Motor but also with two of the world’s pre-eminent carbon fibre producers – Lotte Chemical and Hyosung Corporation. The frame was manufactured by Axon Automotive.

  • Hyundai introduces Xcent sedan

    Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited has introduced another affordably priced B-segment Xcent saloon car.

    Tagged ‘Hyundai Xtra Savings Festival,’ it comes with free maintenance package, comprehensive insurance and registration within the first year of purchase.

    The incentive aimed at making customers appreciate the value of their investment during the first year of procurement, Mr Jatin Nadkarni, Head of Sales and Marketing at Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited said.

    Nadkarni is convinced Hyundai Xcent sedan will attract more customers and subsequently raise Hyundai market share in the B-segment grouping.

    A 1.25Litre Kappa Dual VTVT capacity saloon car, the Xcent, according to him is expected to compliment surging demand for a similar B-segment Hyundai Grand i10 model that was launched in November last year.

    He described Xcent as an elegantly designed and versatile new level of art and innovation car with comfortable and spacious cabin mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

    “We are delighted to introduce another B-segment car to cater for the growing need of budget customers who prefer affordably priced functional and reassuring saloon car for daily travels,” he said.

    The Xcent can comfortably convey five passengers and it responds to every expectation including a generous trunk and alluring cabin colour, textures and a sport appeal that could easily make large car envious.

    The Xcent is amazingly responsive and gets off to fantastic start without sacrificing the brilliant aerodynamic appeal that makes the car the best entry level sedan yet.

    Hyundai Xcent also shows a sharp styling with a whole new level of innovation that attests to the luminously crafted exterior which leaves an everlasting impression on all those who catch a glimpse of it.

  • Unveiling Nigeria-assembled Hyundai Grand

    Unveiling Nigeria-assembled Hyundai Grand

    Powered by a dual CVVT Kappa 1.25litre all-aluminum engine that emits quiet and smooth operation, the Hyundai Grand, assembled in Nigeria will delight drivers looking for exceptionally low weight cars that maximise fuel consumption, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    he Hyundai Grand has proved a point that a comfortable and spacious car does not have to be cumbersome. And that exactly was Hyundai Motors’ conviction when it went to the drawing board to design this exceptionally cultured B-segment budget car that has become the toast of most automobile freaks worldwide.

    Manufactured only in petrol variant for the Nigerian market, the Grand, assembled in Nigeria, offers light weight and robust five-speed manual transmission that enhances smooth and accurate gearshift for optimum performance.

    The feature-packed Hyundai Grand responds to every expectation with alluring cabin colour, textures and shape that lend it a sport appeal that could easily make any large car envious.

    From whatever angle one views the car, it is evident that Grand was crafted to meet  the utmost need of the customer.

    Grand is a whole new level of art innovation which ordinarily gives the car an unimaginable feel.

    It shows a sharp styling with a whole new level of innovation that attests  to brilliantly crafted exterior that  leaves an everlasting impression on all those who catch a glimpse of it.

    The newly designed clear headlight clusters for instance, not only look good, they improve driver’s night vision and on-road visibility with extra safety.

    Hyundai Grand is also equipped with chrome-coated radiator grille positioned to perfection to project strong presence.

    The outside mirror repeaters are aerodynamically sculpted while the outside mirror is ornamented with LED repeaters for enhanced looks and safety.

    Inside the car, the front and rear seating ergonomically designed bucket type front seats gives the car a premium feel with spacious and cushioned rear seats and adjustable headrests assure ample support and comfortable seating.

    This is in addition to the liberal boot space to accommodate weekend luggage with bench folding function that provides an extra flat load space.

    Powered by a dual CVVT Kappa 1.25litre all-aluminum engine that emits quiet and smooth operation, the Grand will delight drivers looking for exceptionally low weight cars that maximise fuel consumption.

    Hyundai Motors Nigeria, Sales and Marketing Head Mr Jatin Nadkarni expressed delight as he took delivery of the first set of Hyundai Grand cars assembled at the Hyundai Motors Nigeria plant in Lagos.

    Nadkarni said: “The world is changing every day, so we decided to also change the way people communicate with each other by introducing the Hyundai Grand – a car that lets you share a new language with the world.”

    The Grand’s aerodynamic designed bumper reduces forward air flow resistance and the rear spoiler effect enhances fuel economy and driving stability.

    The Grand may be compact in look; its makers did not compromise on safety. The structural safety of the Grand which utilises anti corrosive steel, ring structure application to enhance the rigidity and body robustness while its Anti-lock brake system (ABS) prevents skidding and retains the car’s steer ability on slippery surfaces. This mechanism also enables stable braking and restricts wheel lock-up during panic braking

  • Hyundai shines at auto awards

    Hyundai shines at auto awards

    Hyundai ix35 crossover and its acquaintance Veloster sport sedan were at the just ended Ninth Nigeria Auto Awards honoured with the ‘Most preferred executive SUV’ and ‘Best in design’ awards of the year.

    While the ix35 outclassed rival Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Ford Escape in the category, the Veloster had beaten BMW X6 to emerge winner of the coveted honour.

    Among some distinguishing qualities of the Hyundai ix35 is the interior quality which the panel of adjudicators described as comfortable fit and finish, with robust switches and blue backlighting that gives the interior a classy feel.

    Coupled with this is the car’s suspension which is designed to provide soft ride and absorb all but the biggest of potholes and bumps that drivers may encounter on the roads.

    The ix35 interior is adequately insulated and does a great job of filtering out tyre, road and wind noise, while the engines are reasonably powerful, smooth and quiet.

    Currently adjudged one of the best SUVs in the market, the ix35 comes with the most affordable price tags and some of the best equipment levels around.

    Hyundai Motors Nigeria Sales and Marketing Head, Mr Jatin Nadkarni, said: “ix35 is one of the most stylish in its class with sleek, sporty look that turns heads in a way you wouldn’t expect from a car with a Hyundai badge.”

    He said Hyundai ix35 comes in three choice specification levels (Elite, Active and Highlander) with 2.0 gasoline (petrol) engine that churns out 166bhp mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and fitted to 17 inch alloy wheels.

    On the other hand, Hyundai Veloster is an entirely fashionable funky hatchback three-door sport-like sedan (one on the driver side and two on the passenger side) uniquely designed for drivers who want something refreshingly different and stimulating – some of the criteria that perhaps informed the jurors’ decisions.

    The Veloster is equipped with a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine that produces 138 hp and 132 Ib-ft of torque and mated to a six-speed traditional automatic transmission.

    Also known as the “icing on the cake,” the Veloster looks like a regular two-door but when turned 180 degrees through, it looks like a four-door – thanks to the perfectly normal-looking rear door.