Hyundai Named Most Reliable Manufacturer in CarMD'S Annual Vehicle Health Index Report

Hyundai beat out every competitor to earn the distinction of "Most Reliable Manufacturer" in the 2013 CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™ Manufacturer & Vehicle Reliability Ranking. Released today, the annual report provides a ranking of manufacturers and vehicles with the lowest combined "check engine" repair incidents and costs. The Index ranks the top 10 manufacturers, top 100 vehicles overall, top vehicles by category and the most common repairs by make. After two consecutive years of finishing second Hyundai overtook Toyota and drove to the top of the list with its low repair frequency.



"The 2013 CarMD Vehicle Health Index Manufacturer and Vehicle Reliability Ranking looked at data that applies to more than 119 million vehicles, so to earn this ranking is no small feat," said Leon C. Chen, CEO, CarMD.com Corporation. "We commend Hyundai for its commitment to quality and to its efforts to minimize vehicle operating costs."



Hyundai's 2013 Index rating was .80 with an average repair cost of $312.67, the lowest Index rating of all parent manufactures studied and the second lowest overall repair cost. This year's Index is based on more than 151,000 specific repairs performed on model year 2003 to 2013 vehicles from Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013. The Index is determined by the manufacturers whose vehicles had the fewest percentage of CarMD repair incidents combined with the lowest cost per repair, per number of registered vehicles on the road. For more information on CarMD including the complete index, visit http://corp.carmd.com.

"Hyundai strives to provide our customers with a worry-free car ownership experience by offering a lineup of vehicles that deliver on both quality and reliability, backed by the most competitive protection program in the business," said Erwin Raphael, director, Engineering and Quality, Hyundai Motor America. "Earning the first place title in CarMD's Vehicle Health Index Report proves that our recipe for combining high value vehicles with long-term vehicle protection is a success."



In addition to vehicle reliability, Hyundai's Assurance program offers vehicle owners a comprehensive suite of car care and protection services including a 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000 powertrain limited warranty. Additionally, Hyundai's Assurance Connected Care offers Blue Link equipped models with free automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, monthly vehicle diagnostics reports and maintenance alerts. These programs under the Hyundai Assurance umbrella provide customers with peace of mind long after they drive off the dealership lot.



About The CarMD Vehicle Health Index



The mission of Irvine, Calif.-based CarMD.com Corporation is to empower consumers and the vehicle market by providing the tools and information needed to make better-educated decisions about their vehicles' health and maintenance. An ISO 9001:2008-certified company, CarMD's premier product is the CarMD® Vehicle Health System™, a consumer system that helps drivers monitor vehicle health and minimize related repair costs. The company has built the largest, most up-to-date database of diagnostic trouble codes; expert fixes and repair costs, which it uses to compile its annual CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™ consumer information resource. It is the only Index to offer a ranking of automotive manufacturers and vehicles with the lowest combined "check engine"-related repair incidents and costs. The data for the 2013 CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™ Manufacturer & Vehicle Reliability Rankings was procured from CarMD's network of thousands of certified automotive technicians and database. For more information, including the complete Index, methodology and archived data, visit http://corp.carmd.com. Drivers can also visit www.carmd.com/Scorecard to see how their vehicle ranks and get a list of common repairs by year, make and model.



HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA



Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, 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 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services, complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

Gary Rome Auto Group Partners With Premier Motoring Concepts

Holyoke, MA, October 8, 2013 - - Gary Rome Auto Group has embarked on a lucrative partnership with Premier Motoring Concepts (PMC). The deal allows the auto dealer group to feature PMC products on its accessory store websites while simultaneously providing 120 more product choices for customers.

Premier Motoring Concepts is a Hyundai and Kia accessories distributor which sources Hyundai and Kia parts and accessories from South Koreaand make them available in the United States. Featured products are not sold through Hyundai Motor America or Kia Motor America. PMC’s customer base includes the five largest-volume Hyundai dealers in the U.S., as well as dealers that sell fewer than 50 units a month. The company prides itself on its excellent reputation for outstanding customer service and impeccable attention to detail.

“We are very excited to be offering more product categories for customers to choose from in our Hyundai and Kia Accessory Stores” says Gary Rome, President of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke, MAand Kia in Enfield, CT. “This partnership is possible because we always listen to our customers and find ways to solve their problems. Our relationship with PMC will help us supply products which are otherwise unavailable in the United States.

This press release has been distributed by Gary Rome Auto Group. Gary Rome Hyundai, based in Holyoke Massachusetts, and Gary Rome Kia, based in Enfield Connecticut provide Hyundai and Kia sales and service to all of Massachusetts and Connecticut. When you visit our car dealerships, expect the superior customer service that you deserve. With years of experience and training, the Gary Rome Kia and Hyundai teams are your Connecticut and Massachusetts Hyundai and Kia dealer, and will get you into the car that was built for you. Get the new or used car that you have been dreaming of by calling or visiting Gary Rome Kia of Enfield and Gary Rome Hyundai of Holyoke today. For more information, go to http:// www.garyromekia.com/or http://www.garyromehyundai.com/.

Hyundai’s $48,000 Genesis beats competitors’ prices

The recent Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, Calif., showcased the rarest and most costly autos in the world, from a 1935 Duesenberg to Ferrari race cars.

Also included on the lawn were new concept cars from Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Hyundai. Yes, Hyundai.

The South Korean brand has come from the first shoddy exports to North America in the 1980s to the HCD-14 Genesis concept, an automotive sculpture from the brand’s Irvine, Calif., design studio.

Hyundai has declared that it can line up alongside the world’s most storied brands and not look out of place.

While the Genesis concept car won’t go on sale as shown, it indicates where the company is headed, especially relevant for me, having just spent a week in the current model, a 2013 Genesis 5.0 R-Spec.

The Genesis is Hyundai’s rear-wheel sedan and the best example of the company’s unusual blend of budget and luxury.

The Genesis swims in competitive waters, among luxury sedans like the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Jaguar XF and the Lexus GS350. It’s unlikely that even the next generation Genesis will snag away 5 Series drivers who look for superior driving chops and brand recognition.

What the Genesis 5.0 does is beat competitors in value, with all of the major options included in the $48,000 price. It also gets a 10-year/100,000-mile power train warranty.

The all-in sticker is a major change from the practices of German automakers, who are especially prone to charging for every option. It’s also not easy to find a base BMW or Mercedes on sales lots.

While there is a base Genesis sedan with a 333-horsepower V-6 and a price of $35,100, the R-Spec is the model most in keeping with its rivals. It has a 5.0-liter V-8 with an eight- speed transmission, 19-inch wheels and leather seats.

Also included are a power sunroof, lane departure warning system, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive xenon headlamps, a navigation system and backup camera. One of the few options you can add is a $35 iPod cable.

I kept comparing the Hyundai to another car I recently reviewed, the Jaguar XF 2.0, which starts at $47,000. The entry-priced Jag looks great and handles extremely well, besting the Hyundai in both categories. But it has only a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with 240 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque — underwhelming compared to the Genesis’s V-8, with 429 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque.

With all of its options, many which aped the Genesis, my test XF came to $61,100. Not so cheap at all. It’s easy to see why many consumers would happily look to the less expensive Hyundai.

Of course not all is perfect. Hyundai has been on a design roll recently — but the current Genesis is still using older, stilted design language. The front end (which has no logo on the grill) looks like a reinterpretation of a Mercedes, and the sides are bland.

The HCD-14 concept indicates a new direction. It is long and slinky, with an upright sci-fi nose and short overhangs. It also has a rear-hinged back door, the kind of concept car styling which rarely makes its way into the real car.

The production-ready Genesis will be shown at January’s Detroit auto show as a 2015 model, and a company spokesman says it could go on sale the second quarter of next year.

The interior of the current Genesis lacks a suede headliner and first-grade leather. The navigation system mimics the Mercedes rotary control system, a poor choice. It should be a touch screen. One imagines those issues will be fixed in the next generation.

Hyundai’s drive character has steadily improved, but the R-Spec’s steering is artificially heavy, and the body rolls in corners, with odd shudders on broken pavement. The result is a feeling of wallowing, rather than wafting, down the road.

The thing’s got guts, though. Ford has famously offered its 5.0-liter V-8 on the Mustang over the years, and there’s a bit of muscle car character to this engine. It pushes through traffic with a nice bit of rough sound.

Turn off the traction control and gun it around a corner, and you’d even get a bit of tail swinging action like in a 1970s action film.

Again, my mind turns to the next generation, and the improvements that may come. Will it go the way of Lexus, soft and pliant, or BMW, heady and fast?

The R-Spec’s strengths and weaknesses are clear. It makes an excellent entry into the luxury sedan space for budget-minded buyers.

And when the new generation is released, the current car should go on a fire sale with significant incentives. It could make a very good deal a veritable steal.

source

Korean automaker Hyundai's market share is growing in the U.S., and its vehicles are getting larger as well

The Santa Fe used to be a modest mid-size sport-utility truck and is now a large crossover. It's heavy at 4,098 pounds and long at 193.1 inches. It has a large 3.3-liter V6 engine, and its gas mileage is mediocre at 18 mpg city and 24 highway.



I drove the GLS AWD model, meaning it has all-wheel-drive, which adds some weight and cuts its gas mileage. But AWD does give Santa Fe some of its old sport-SUV functionality. Outwardly the Santa Fe looks like most other large crossovers; not much to distinguish it. In fact, it looks more like a minivan now, but with outward opening rear doors instead of sliding van doors.



The crossover's size means it now has room for a third row seat, which is split, and will fold flat in back to boost cargo capacity that otherwise is moderate. My test unit, a Night Sky Pearl (metallic blue/gray), had no power hatch, which seemed a bit odd at the asking price of $35,180.



The GLS starts at $30,100, but this one added $4,100 for a leather and navigation package that included a premium Dimension sound system, leather seating surfaces, heated second row seats and heated steering wheel, a rearview camera, power passenger's seat and, naturally, the navigation system.



Functionally Santa Fe was on par with other large crossovers and minivans.



That direct-injected V6 cranks out 290 horsepower. You can get it to downshift and get this heavy-feeling crossover rolling by tromping the gas pedal. That will affect your gas mileage. Or you can just accelerate normally, which is plenty smooth with the six-speed automatic, but feels lethargic. Coming off a turn at a stoplight and then trying to accelerate to 35 or 40 feels slow and there is some hesitation.



If you plan to tow, it'll lug 5,000 pounds of trailer.



Likewise, if you want to save as much gas as possible, there is an ECO button on the dash that creates earlier shifts and cuts power overall. I rarely used it, feeling I needed the crossover's full power to get the Santa Fe up to proper cruising speeds.



Ride, though, is a strong point. The 4-wheel independent suspension does a good job of handling our crumbling roads and joints between cement slabs on many city streets. The interior is quiet and well-appointed to keep passengers -- up to seven of them -- comfy.



Handling is van-like, but credit Hyundai with giving you three steering choices: Normal, Comfort and Sport. Sport is the most responsive, but still there is play in the wheel and the steering effort is heavy. Comfort and Normal feel pretty much the same, which is to say more vague, yet still relatively heavy.



Braking is fine and all-wheel-drive is standard on this model, so traction will be solid in winter. Stability and traction control are standard here, too.



Inside, Hyundai has created a luxury look and feel in the GLS, including tan perforated leather seats in the test vehicle, matched with a brown textured dash and tiny bits of fake wood trim on either end of the dash. A matte silver finish is used on the doors and door releases.



For families, the best is probably the interior's quiet comfort and well formed seats, plus the fact that there is that third row. Kids will fit in the third row and moderate sized adults in the second row.



I like that both front seats were power controlled and heated, plus the option package gave the second row riders heated seats, a benefit with leather seats that tend to be pretty icy feeling in winter. The thick leather steering wheel also was heated.



That wheel featured a manual tilt/telescope function and a bunch of radio, phone and trip computer buttons on the hub. The GLS model also had automatic headlights, a big covered bin between the front seats, two 12-volt outlets under the center stack, plus an open bin with USB port.



Overhead is an OnStar type system, plus HomeLink on the rearview mirror. I bumped the navigation aid once just adjusting the mirror.



My only interior complaint is Hyundai's insistence of a little chime tune that plays every time you get in the car and shut the door, and every time you shut off the ignition.



While the test unit was pricey, you should know that you can get the same room and many of these features by going with a lower trim level. The base Sport 2.4 FWD (front wheel drive) starts at just $24,700 and earns a much better 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway due to using a 190-horse 2.4-liter I4. That's 100 hp less than the tested model, so it might be weak for hauling a lot of kids and cargo.



An AWD Sport lists at $26,450 and is rated 20 mpg city and 26 highway. A mid-level 2.0 model with 264-horse 2.0-liter I4 turbo starts at $27,950 in front-drive model, while a top level Limited with AWD starts at $34,850.



Mark Savage welcomes your questions and comments regarding new vehicles at Savageonwheels@yahoo.com.

Hyundai Genesis Received J.D. Power Highest Initial Quality Segment Ranking

Hyundai Nameplate Improves in J.D. Power Initial Quality Study;
Finishes in the Top 10 Overall



COSTA MESA, Calif., June 19, 2013 – J.D. Power announced today that the Hyundai Genesis received the trophy for the highest initial quality in the midsize premium car segment. The award comes from the J.D. Power 2013 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS). The Initial Quality Study, now in its 27th year, serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership. According to the study Hyundai Genesis owners reported fewer problems with their vehicles than any premium midsize car.



"Outperforming all of our competitors in the premium midsize car segment is a reflection of the dedication of all Hyundai team members," said Erwin Raphael, director of engineering and quality, Hyundai Motor America. "Awards like this demonstrate we're succeeding in connecting with our customers through an unprecedented combination of premium performance, technology, safety and quality."



In addition to Genesis's victory, the Hyundai brand substantially reduced problems per 100 vehicles and finished tenth overall, gaining eight rank positions. The Hyundai overall score was 106 problems per 100 vehicles, seven problems fewer than the industry average. Accent, Sonata and Azera ranked second in their respective segments. The all-new Santa Fe ranked third in its segment.



ABOUT THE J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES 2013 U.S. INITIAL QUALITY STUDY

The 2013 U.S. Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 83,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2013 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 233-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identification of problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and May 2013. The study is used by manufacturers worldwide to improve quality and by consumers to help them make more informed purchasing decisions. Throughout the years, initial quality has been shown to be a leading indicator of long-term durability, which directly impacts customer loyalty and purchase decisions.



HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, 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 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides Hyundai owners with proactive safety and car care services made possible by the Hyundai Blue Link telematics platform, complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

2013 Hyundai Sonata hybrid bulks up with more power

By David Booth

Hyundai has upgraded its Sonata hybridfor 2013 with a more powerful electric motor, a more fuel efficient 2.4-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and a lighter, but more powerful, lithium-ion battery. The result is a better Natural Resources Canada fuel economy rating (5.4 L/100 km in the city and 4.9 L/100 km on the highway) as well as improved real-word fuel economy. Indeed, in the city, the Sonata hybrid consumed about half as much dinosaur juice as the Fusion EcoBoost - 7.0 L/100 km versus 13.6. Its parsimony continued on the highway although, like other hybrids, the size of its advantage dissipated as speeds increased. By 120 km/h, it was consuming just 1.0 L/100 km less than the Sonata Turbo and the Accord V6.

Nonetheless, this and its superior drivability see Hyundai's hybrid much improved. Indeed, though the 2013 is seven horsepower down on the 2012 model, it gains 40 pound-feet of torque, making 2013 hybrid much more responsive.

Read more: source

New Website For Your Convenience

Great news!

 Gary Rome Hyundai has launched a new online appointment site designed to serve you better. Our old site is now discontinued and unavailable. Please follow the link and instructions below.  For your protection, you will need a new username and password with our new site. We welcome your feedback as we add new features. As always, you will be able to book appointments 24/7 at your convenience.

Click here to access the new online appointment site!

Gary Rome Needs Your Help to Donate to The One Fund

This is Gary Rome and I'm here to talk to you about something much more important than cars. I want to talk to you about our friends and families that were impacted by the tragic events at the marathon. My family at Gary Rome Auto Group came to me and asked me what can we do? We decided to support the Boston One Fund. For every test drive we'll donate $10and $100 for every car purchased. And because we know how important time with our family is, I'm going to give you a $10 gift certificate to Squires Bistro on Main Street in Agawam.
GO TO VIDEO

Please come to Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke or Gary Rome Kia in Enfield and take a test drive and I'll donate $10 to The One Fund and I'll give you a $10 gift certificate to Squires Bistro in Agawam and when you decide to buy from me, I'll then donate $100 to The One Fund. Gary Rome Auto Group, helping those that help us. It doesn't cost any of us extra to be nice!

You can also donate directly to The One Fund: OneFundBoston.org

2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: First Drive

When it appeared in 2011 to counter rivals like the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid generally didn't fare too well in head-to-head matchups. Complaints of a lack of refinement in the hybrid powertrain and braking feel were cited, and the Sonata routinely under-delivered on the fuel economy front. Hyundai seems to have been listening, as these are exactly the areas the company focused on for the 2013 Sonata Hybrid, and the result is a top-notch, fully competitive hybrid sedan ready to take on the competitors.

Changes start with the powertrain: The same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine remains, but it now makes slightly less power, 159 horsepower compared to the 2012 model's 166. This is made up for by a more powerful electric motor, rated at 35 kilowatts instead of the last model's 30. Net power thus drops from 206 in the 2012 model to 199 in the 2013, but this is the only trade-off for superior performance, fuel economy and cargo room. The 2013 Sonata Hybrid'slithium polymer battery has a higher capacity, but it's also lighter and better packaged, allowing the trunk's cargo room to grow from 10.7 to 12.1 cubic feet.

Hyundai also tuned these new components far better than the last version. The car exhibits improved smoothness in its electric-to-gas hybrid transition, better regenerative braking feel and much more seamless acceleration. A light in the gauge cluster will light up when the engine shuts off while cruising on flat, level roads indicating that the car is operating electrically — and it will do so even at highway speeds. Although there is no dedicated EV mode button, the car seems like it's engaged in all-electric driving over more distance and under harder acceleration than the competition.


The Sonata Hybrid has a conventional six-speed automatic, which makes the car feel more "normal" than many other hybrid sedans on the market that use continuously variable transmissions. There is no loud, buzzy drone under hard acceleration as there is with a CVT, just smooth acceleration and barely perceptible shifts. At speed, the Sonata's ride is well damped, and the cabin is quiet with just minor wind noise.

The improvements boost the Sonata Hybrid's fuel economy as well, with the 2013 rated at 36 city, 40 highway and 38 combined, compared to the 2012 model's 34/39/36 (the 2013 Limited trim level gets 37 combined, due to the extra weight of equipment). This matches more favorably against the Toyota Camry Hybrid LE (43/39/41) and XLE (40/38/40) than the Ford Fusion Hybrid (47/47/47), although the average reported fuel economy for the Fusion is nowhere near the EPA rating, according to government website fueleconomy.gov. My test loop consisted of a morning's worth of high-speed highway, some stop-and-go traffic and a few hard acceleration moments to pass slower traffic, returning a respectable combined 37 mpg. This compares favorably to the consumer-reported averages for the Camry and Fusion.

That number becomes even more impressive when one considers the car that delivered it. The '13 Sonata Hybrid is a big midsize sedan with plenty of room inside, comfortable seats and high-quality materials throughout. Exterior styling is differentiated from conventional Sonatas through different front and rear ends, headlights, taillights and wheels. My Limited model had leather seats, navigation, a nine-speaker Infinity sound system, heated front and rear seats and a massive panoramic sunroof. The only aspect of the Sonata Hybrid's interior that did not impress was the infotainment system's subpar graphics. Hybrid functions and monitoring displays are located in several different places throughout the hierarchy of screens, and the ones that are available look extremely dated and offer limited information. This is an area that can easily be updated to look better, yet looks nearly a decade behind the times in its sophistication.

Pricing is still reasonable for the Sonata Hybrid as well, starting at $26,445 (including $795 delivery fee) for the base Hybrid and climbing to $31,345 for the Hybrid Limited. The only option is a $1,000 panoramic sunroof on the Limited model. The Camry Hybrid LE starts at $26,935 (including $795 destination fee), jumping to $28,465 for the more luxurious XLE. The XLE price does not include a leather interior ($1,185) or integrated back-up camera and alarm ($695), bringing a comparably equipped XLE to $30,345. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is more expensive, starting at $27,995 (including $795 shipping) for an SE trim model and jumping to $32,895 for the Titanium. Load it up with comparable technology goodies and a moonroof, however, and the Fusion Hybrid Titanium can easily top $36,890.

Hyundai's updated Sonata Hybrid removes all the complaints many had about the operation of the old model, displaying a welcome refinement that further demonstrates the company's ability to do something that previously the Japanese had been known for: continuous improvement.

source

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA SETS ALL-TIME RECORD FIRST QUARTER SALES

March sales are the second best month in history

Elantra sets all-time record, up 33 percent



COSTA MESA, Calif., April 2, 2013 -- Hyundai Motor America today announced sales of 68,306 units, down just two percent versus the best volume month Hyundai ever recorded last year, and up more than 30 percent over February levels. The first quarter of 2013 was the best in Hyundai's history.



"March felt just great," said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of national sales. "We definitely benefitted from better inventories of Elantra thanks to the addition of the third shift at our Alabama plant, improved weather conditions in our important Northern markets and more robust retail activity reflecting a steady recovery in consumer confidence. Elantra led the pack with an all-time monthly sales record of 26,153 units, up 33 percent year-over-year. Sonata Hybrid also set a new all-time sales record with 2,006 sales, up 13 percent versus last year."



Fleet mix was 17 percent for the month and stands at 16 percent for the year, among the lowest in the industry.



"This March was an incredibly strong month for us, the second best sales month in our history, just two percent below our all-time record from last March," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "While our plants continue to stretch to hit our demand levels, we still have one of the tightest inventory levels in the industry. This month, you could see the impact of improved Elantra availability, but our dealers remain constrained on Sonata, which continues as one of the fastest turning mid-size cars in the industry."



According to data from Cars.com, the traditional five highest volume mid-size sedans (Accord, Camry, Altima, Fusion, and Malibu) have 72 percent more dealer stock than Sonata.



Sales in March of Certified Pre-Owned vehicles totaled 6,715, up eight percent for the first quarter. More than 80 percent of Hyundai's dealers are now participating in the CPO program, which has been a key component in driving Hyundai residual values to record high levels. Hyundai Elantra, Azera, and Santa Fe Sport are all ALG Residual Value award winners for the 2013 model year.

CARLINE	MAR/2013	MAR/2012	CY/2013	CY/2012
ACCENT	5,669	8,337	13,914	18,484
SONATA	18,031	23,281	47,285	55,195
ELANTRA	26,153	19,681	54,546	44,401
SANTA FE	7,116	5,853	19,446	14,535
AZERA	1,117	128	2,709	159
TUCSON	4,073	4,197	11,010	11,049
VERACRUZ	39	622	136	1,809
VELOSTER	2,693	3,848	6,357	8,781
GENESIS	3,124	3,429	8,113	8,232
EQUUS	291	352	814	928
TOTAL	68,306	69,728	164,330	163,573

SALES-WEIGHTED FUEL ECONOMY

	February Label Combined MPG	March Window Label Combined MPG	2013 CYTD Window Label Combined MPG
Car	28.0	28.4	28.0
Truck	22.9	22.5	22.8
Hyundai Brand	27.9	28.2	27.8

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA



Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, 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 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. On May 16, 2013, Hyundai Assurance will be expanded to include Assurance Connected Care for all Blue Link equipped vehicles. Assurance Connected Care provides Hyundai owners with proactive safety and car care services made possible by the Hyundai Blue Link telematics platform standard for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

Hyundai Equus: A Few Rungs Up the Social Ladder

By LAWRENCE ULRICH
Introduced on Wednesday, March 27, 2013: 2014 Hyundai Equus
2013 New York Auto Show

What is it? A refreshed version of perhaps the biggest social climber in luxury cars, Hyundai’s roughly $60,000, full-size sedan.

Is it real? Dismissed by some critics as a poseur, the Equus has established a modest toehold in a class dominated by far pricier models from Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Audi.

What they said: John Krafcik, chief executive of Hyundai Motor America, said the Equus led every car in the industry – luxury or mainstream — in J.D. Power’s most recent customer satisfaction survey. Customer service has been an Equus hallmark, including free iPads and owner perks; dealers pick up cars from owners’ homes and return them following service visits.

What they didn’t say: How quickly Hyundai can advance the Equus from its generic large-car styling to something resembling its well-received HCD-14 Genesis concept car.

What makes it tick? The formidable 5-liter, direct-injection V-8 with 429 horsepower and 8-speed automatic transmission carry-over from last year’s model. The air suspension is retuned, hopefully lending the Equus the sophisticated dynamics it currently lacks. But the Equus is noticeably gussied-up inside, with more convincing wood, aluminum, leather, display screens and features.

How much? How soon? The reworked Equus goes on sale in May, for roughly $57,000 to start.

How’s it look? No threat to design leaders like the Audi A8 or Jaguar XJ. But the Equus is more convincingly deluxe, especially inside, where it looks more Lexus, less Buick.

Dealership News!

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Future Cars: Hyundai's All-New 2014 Genesis Sedan Comes into Focus

Now, when someone asks what type of car you drive, and you answer with 'Genesis', more often than not, you'll receive a puzzling blank stare. However, one need not to be offended; Hyundai's entrant into the luxury car segment is still a relatively new player.

Revealed at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, it was Hyundai's interpretation of a luxury sedan to compete with the Euros. While sales of the first generation haven't exactly taken the world by storm, those enthusiastic boffins from South Korea are not waving the white flag just yet.

In fact, they're so intent on making inroads on the luxury sedan market that they're having a second attempt, with the reveal expected either later this year or early 2014. While the current Genesis Sedan has a reasonable amount of kit for the dollar, it struggles to exude a visual statement compared to its direct competitors.

Hyundai's next installment hope's to change that; so based on actual spy-shots depicting the real thing, we at Carscoops are providing an illustrated glimpse of how things have improved.

The Peter Schreyer-led team has translated a fair chunk of aesthetic punch from the HCD-14 Concept car that debuted at this year's Detroit motor show, and infused it into the bodywork of the next Genesis.

 

Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language is complemented with smooth surfacing and shorter overhangs; while the long powerful hood and imposing 'Bentley-like' grill conceal what is expected to be either a 3.8L V6 or a 5.0L V8. Mated to an eight speed transmission (with a 10-speed unit to be introduced later on), the Genesis is also expected to offer both rear wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations for those who live amongst the more slippery geography.

Detailed visual highlights start with the LED head and taillights; tackling Audi where so much design emphasis has been placed in the recent past, and strategic placing of chrome-work.

 

Even the shut-lines have been carefully thought out with fluidic intersecting joins at the base of the windscreen and rear bumper. Whilst the greenhouse could have been transferred from the latest Toyota Avalon or Chevrolet Impala, a prominent shoulder crease runs the length of the car linking head and taillights together in a broad sweep.

Compared with the likes of Jaguar XF, Mercedes E-Class, and BMW 5-Series, the next Genesis appears to be a strong contender. However, does it go far enough? One cannot help wonder if staying closer to the HCD-14 Concept in design would have yielded a greater statement. Tell us what you think in the comments below.

 By Josh Byrnes

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA SELLS ITS FIRST SPECIAL EDITION VELOSTER RE:MIX MODEL

Hyundai’s Innovative 3-door Sport Coupe Now Available in a Uniquely Aggressive Sporty Variant with Premium Features and a 450-watt Dimension® Audio System

COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 22, 2013 – Hyundai Motor America recently delivered the first of its new Veloster RE:MIX limited edition models to its excited new owner at Sterling McCall Hyundai in Houston, Texas. Hyundai began selling its special edition production Veloster in mid-February alongside a comprehensive offering of stylish, well-equipped and efficient sedans, coupes and crossovers, including the all-new 2013 Santa Fe SUV and the stylish and fun-to-drive 2013 Elantra GT.

Inspired by Hyundai’s successful RE:MIX Lab program, Hyundai first introduced the special edition RE:MIX production Veloster to consumers at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show at Las Vegas in November 2012. This limited edition production Velosterfeatures an aggressive sporty exterior with a unique body kit, 18-inch dark gunmetal-finish alloy wheels, LED headlight accents and taillights, and unique RE:MIX badging. The interior is enhanced with a 450-watt premium Dimension audio system, push-button start with proximity key, leather steering wheel and shift knob, unique interior light kit and RE:MIX floormats.

This Veloster is a turn-key production offering with an aggressive demeanor, specifically for enthusiasts. Truly a “Re-Mix,” this Veloster is a cool blend of exclusive features and options that synthesize to create a distinctive lifestyle offering from Hyundai. In addition to the exclusive Sprint Gray exterior color, a simplified color palate of five additional Veloster colors will be available: Century White, 26.2 Yellow, Marathon Blue, Ultra Black and Boston Red. The Veloster RE:MIX starts at $20,845 for the manual transmission model (including a $795 freight charge).

“The Veloster RE:MIX represents the ultimate Hyundai lifestyle coupe in terms of style, design and performance,” said Sales Manager, Sterling McCall Hyundai. “Many Hyundai customers today are looking for individual design expression, exclusivity and smartphone connectivity. Veloster RE:MIX delivers a truly unique sporty appearance, premium branded audio and abundant tech features.”

Hyundai’s Velosteris an innovative compact coupe that features ground-breaking design, with a unique curbside third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai’s Blue Link®telematics system, Pandora® internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine. Veloster continues to attract Hyundai’s next generation of buyers, earning numerous accolades including Bloomberg’s “Best Economy Car,” one of Kelley Blue Book’s “10 Coolest New Cars under $18,000” and Autobytel’s Car of the Year for 2012.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, 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 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com

Please visit our media website at www.hyundainews.com and our blog at www.hyundailikesunday.com

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook

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2012 Hyundai Azera

By Michael Taylor

We all know there are far too many cars out there. At least three dozen auto brands vie for your dollar – or, in these parlous times, your $30,000, the average price of a new car in the U.S. There are hundreds of models, and the people who design cars, or figure out how to market them, are slotting so many of them into the lineup that sometimes you think, hey, just make it simple, give me one or two choices. Well, if today’s example is any indication, you’re not going to get that choice anytime soon, and in there is a point to be made.

Hyundai, the Korean manufacturer whose first attempts to sell cars on these shores, the 1980s-era Excel (aka the Execrable), ended in ignominious failure, has zoomed up the ladder here. Hyundai now sells an array of modern, well-made sedans, SUVs, and sports cars that, frankly, are giving the veteran Japanese auto makers fits, just as the Japanese gave the Americans fits more than 30 years ago with their own incursion. Hyundai’s darling-of-the-auto-press these days is the Sonata, a four-cylinder sedan that competes favorably with Honda’s venerable Accord and Toyota’s ubiquitous Camry. These cars – the bread-and-butter sedan of America – all start in the low $20,000 range and range up to a shade over $30,000. The Sonata has gotten rave reviews and is clearly making a dent (so to speak) on the car buyer’s consciousness.

In the world of Hyundai, there’s the Sonata in that popular range and then, when your ship arrives, you trade up to the Genesis, a rear-wheel-drive sedan in the wannabe-luxo area (roughly $34,000 to $46,000).

In between is the Azera (where do they get these names?), the car that, more than almost any car out there, screams anonymity – or, at least, a tendency to stay firmly in the middle; it’s a centrist, a political hothouse flower that isn’t ready to make a commitment to anything. Maybe we’re getting carried away here, but when several friends asked me recently what I was driving and I brightly said, “a Hyundai Azera!,” the reaction was a mixture of “huh?” or “hmmm, a what?” and so on.

Okay, okay. It’s not as bad as all that. What we do have here is a car with a remarkable array of features, goodies we really shouldn’t take for granted, wrapped up in a package that has a base price of $32,000. Its competitors are the Toyota Avalon, Acura TL, Nissan Maxima, Buick LaCrosse and Lexus ES350, among a few others. (The Lexus, equipped like the $36,875 Azera I tested, will run you nearly $10,000 more, by the way. But you do pay for that Lexus name. It’s the star factor.)

The Azera is powered by a 3.3-liter, 293-horsepower V6 and glides down the road with the help of a six-speed automatic gearbox (with the requisite manumatic shifter so you can play Boy Racer at will) and gets about the average gas mileage you’d expect in a car like this (20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway.) The design is in that currently voguish look of high beltline, fairly short window glass and, as Hyundai puts it, the car is a product of “fluidic sculpture.” I liked the style touch of the exhaust tips that blend into the rear bumper (viz. Lexus LS460). My first visual impression of the silver Azera I tested, with its dark glass roof, was that it looked kind of like a Mercedes-Benz CL series (I can hear the howls in Stuttgart) and maybe that was Hyundai’s intention. The car had the $4,000 technology package whose greatest feature, frankly, has little to do with technology – it’s a panoramic double sunroof, in which a huge piece of glass over the front seats slides back over another big piece of glass on the back half of the roof. You can also drive with the glass closed up, but the two, yes two, sliding roof curtains fold into the roof’s interior. You also get the 550-watt “Infinity” audio system, 19-inch (instead of 18) wheels, rear window sunshade and other doodads, such as ventilated front seats (chilled air as well as heat), and a “driver’s seat cushion extension.” (The 2012 Azera we tested is identical to the 2013 model, Hyundai says.)

On the road, the Azera is quiet, nimble, and quick to react in the usual panic stops that inevitably happen in freeway driving. I did feel that the electrically-aided power steering was a bit numb – you didn’t get much road feel coming back through that steering column – but this is clearly not the end of the world and you don’t have to take the car back to the dealer and demand your money back.

A few nits: the front seat adjustment buttons, mimicking the sideview outline of a seat cushion and its backrest (looks a lot likes the ones in a Mercedes), are mounted high up at the front of the doors and are a bit too far away. Or maybe I was just pushing the seat back too far.  Because of that high mass of steel on the sides, and the lower roofline, you feel a little cramped when you look around while backing out of a parking space. The Azera’s predecessor had a larger greenhouse and the sightlines were better. But these are nits.

The main thing about the Azera is this: it is a car for people who don’t want to be noticed. It will blend in with all the other four-door near-luxury sedans in that sprawling shopping center parking lot (good luck on finding your car in that sea of sameness) and it will do a fine job of getting you from here to there.

In truth, it’s a stealth car. It’s as if Hyundai sneaked it in between the Genesis and the Sonata and is now telling its customers, almost as an afterthought, “well, come over here and take a look at this one.” And they’re right. It’s worth looking at.

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Your Smartphone Will Also Be Your Car Key By 2015

There is no doubt that this is the future. Smartphones have already taken over our lives, with the phone part being just small part of the wide array of functionalities. South Korean automaker Hyundai recently demonstrated the use of smartphone as a car key at its European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

 

Part of Hyundai’s “Connectivity Concept” a smartphone was used to unlock and lock a Hyundai i30 hatchback. The modified i30 had Near Field Communication chips embedded in it, a technology which is fast becoming a standard feature in many smartphones.

 

The technology is not limited to only using the smartphone as a car key of course. Once inside the smartphone can be placed on a center console, doing which will immediately connect the smartphone with the car’s infotainment system, (in this case, a 7 inch touch screen display) and transfer user preferences, contacts, music, videos, maps etc from the smartphone. This means seating position, steering position, driving preferences are automatically adjusted for each user as he or she ‘logs-in’ with their smartphone. Placing the phone on the console also charges the battery.

 

MirrorLink standard was used to transfer data from the smartphone to the car’s infotainment system and Hyundai has announced that Broadcom is its technology partner.

 

“With this technology, Hyundai is able to harness the all-in-one functionality of existing smartphone technology and integrate it into everyday driving in a seamless fashion,” said Allan Rushforth, senior vice president and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe.

 

Though the feature is already functional it will become mainstream in Hyundai automobiles only by 2015. This time frame will be used to streamline the features and make sure it works without any glitches. We understand that several security features will also need to be put in place before it can be standardised. Afterall, we would not want just anyone with a smartphone to just walk in and drive away with our cars.

 

Hyundai is not the first automaker who has showcased the integration of smartphones and cars. Earlier, Ford had demonstrated a similar technology to unlock cars as well and NFC based wireless charging will be a standard feature in 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited.

 

Via: Wired