- Depreciation Value: How will the car hold up over time? kbb.com bases its predictions on historical data (how the model has performed in the past) and economic factors.
- Fuel Economy: Gas is expected to rise going into the summer months. Significant amounts of money can be saved by buying a more fuel efficient vehicle; estimates put savings due to fuel costs at close to $900/year. That's close to $4500 of savings over the standard 5-yr span.
- Auto Insurance: Insurance is mostly based on the driver's past experience, age, credit rating, address, etc., but it is also based on the model of the car. Luxury brands and sports cars tend to have higher insurance costs to start, while family minivans and SUVs will have a lower starting insurance cost.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Kia, Hyundai Both Named Most Economical Cars Of 2012 By Forbes, Kelly Blue Book
Initial cost is not the only thing that makes a car an economical purchase. It's actually the long-term investment aspect that plays the biggest role. A cheaper vehicle up-front may, in actuality, cost more to maintain over its lifespan.
“Car shoppers should take the time to compare vehicles on their consideration lists to fully understand the financial implications involved with cost of ownership,” says Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book. “While a vehicle might be less expensive up front, the cost of fuel for that model, insurance and other expenditures could make it the less appealing choice for their wallet in the long run.”
Forbes recommends doing thorough research before making a purchase. They consulted Kelley Blue Book, which recently announced its inaugural Total Cost of Ownership Awards. The kbb.com website focuses on these variables of cost, among others:
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Genesis Of Dependability
"Old Reliable" just got a shiny new face. According to J.D. Power and Associates, the Hyundai Genesis ranked number one in the midsize premium car category in the 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The study surveys original car owners three years after initial purchase, making this year the first of eligibility for the Genesis which launched into the market in model year 2009. The Genesis was the only category award recipient in its first year of eligibility, beating out other top brands such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 5 Series.
The VDS measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2009 model year) vehicles includes 202 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The Genesis "received 81 points, the lowest ever among any Hyundai automobile,’’ a Hyundai official said. Hyundai has shown consistent improvement in VDS, reducing problems per 100 vehicles by 75 points over the past five years. Hyundai finished ninth overall, ahead of Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, BMW and Audi.
The Genesis sedan has been gathering awards left and right from prominent and influential media and automotive organizations ever since its 2009 debut. Along with many other honors and distinctions, the model received the much-coveted North American Car of the Year Award, is a 3-time winner of Ward’s Ten Best Engines, and earned a Top Safety Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Improving every year, the Genesis combines the best of two worlds: the high-tech features and power specs customary of a luxury vehicle paired with a competitively low price and superb safety ratings.
"Our goal is to design and build cars that meet and exceed consumers' expectations not only off the showroom floor, but through the duration of their ownership experience. Earning Hyundai's first-ever top 10 finish in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study demonstrates that our efforts are paying dividends," said Erwin Raphael, director of engineering and quality, Hyundai Motor America. "It's equally gratifying to see Genesis sedan, a content-rich model with all the features you expect of a premium car, outperform powerful competitors in its category. Long-term dependability translates to a positive ownership experience and brings customers back to the Hyundai brand in the future."
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
So You Think You Know Jack?
Is your child or pet a big fan of Gary Rome Auto Group? Catch them on video reacting to a Gary Rome Auto Group commercial and one lucky winner could be the new star of the next Gary Rome Auto Group commercial!
OFFICIAL RULES:
Go to http://www.gotogary.com/video/ to submit your entry.
1. Contest Dates:
The “So You Think You Know Jack?” contest begins February 1, 2012, and ends March 31, 2012.
VIDEO SUBMISSION PERIOD: February 1, 2012 - March 31, 2012
SELECTION OF BEST VIDEOS: April 1, 2012 - April 13, 2012
NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS: April 16, 2012 - April 20, 2012
2. Eligibility:
Submitting a video in this contest is open to persons who on the date of entry are legal residents of one (1) of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia, at least eighteen (18) years of age (or age of majority if greater than 18), and who are registered users of http://www.youtube.com or http://vimeo.com. Employees, officers, directors and their immediate family members of the contest entities and each of their respective parents, affiliated and subsidiary companies, advertising and promotion agencies, legal and financial advisers, and any and all other companies associated with this contest are not eligible to enter. For purposes of this contest, "immediate family members" means parents, spouses, children, siblings, in-laws, grandmothers, or grandfathers.
3. Video Submission Requirements:
- Running Time: Five (5) minute maximum, including any credits. If entry is longer than five (5) minutes, the entry may be disqualified in the Administrator’s sole discretion.
- Language: English
- Video: The video should feature your pet or your child's reaction to watching a Gary Rome Auto Group commercial.
- Age: Any child recorded in the video must be ten (10) years of age or younger.
4. Judging to Determine the Potential Winners:
All eligible video submissions received during the video submission period will be watched and judged. The judges will score each eligible entrant’s video based on the following judging criteria, each given equal weight:
- Does the video feature either a pet and/or a child (under the age of ten (10))?
- How original/creative/entertaining, to all age groups, is the video submission?
- How favorable is the Video Submission to Gary Rome Auto Group?
- For helpful examples, check out the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmqeosjjTaY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u23WgtoOJUY
Based on the above judging criteria, the winning videos will be chosen.
5. Additional Terms:
All entrants of the “So You Think You Know Jack?” contest must agree to the following terms and conditions. DO NOT enter this contest if you do not agree with these terms and conditions. Your video submissions may be used for a Gary Rome Auto Group commercial but may not be copied, sold or distributed to other persons.
We reserve the rights to change the rules and prizes without any written notice.
6. Disclaimer of Warranties and Liabilities:
The undersigned (the participant or the legal guardian, if the former is less than 18 years of age) for and in consideration of the granting of permission to Gary Rome Auto Group, agrees to refrain from suing and discharges Gary Rome Auto Group and its officers, agents and employees from all liability arising out of the participation of the contestant in the “So You Think You Know Jack?” contest. The undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Gary Rome Auto Group for any loss or damage that the contestant may incur due to the acts or the omissions of the contestant while participating in the aforementioned event. The undersigned having read and understood agrees to comply with the rules and the safety provisions established for the contest.
7. Consent of Release:
By submitting your video you give Gary Rome Auto Group the rights to use your video in any/or all promotional spots. As a guardian, you will be required to fill out a consent form for any contestant under the age of eighteen (18). Proof of guardianship will be required.
8. Who Won:
The winning entrants will be notified on or by April 20, 2012.
Grand prize: The lucky winner will be featured in an upcoming Gary Rome Auto Group commercial & receive a choice of a $250 American Express gift card or a $250 Dave's Soda & Pet City gift card. Transportation to the filming studio, in West Springfield, MA, is the responsibility of the winner. Every valid submission will receive a stuffed Jack doll.
Monday, January 16, 2012
2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER NAMED INTERNATIONAL SPORTY COUPE OF THE YEAR - MOST PERSONALITY
The International Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY) announced the all-new Hyundai Veloster as the 2012 International Sporty Coupe of the Year – Most Personality. Selected by the ICOTY jury, a group of nationally-renowned automotive journalists, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster was deemed the most emotionally compelling new sporty coupe for the year.
"The Veloster is one of the most exciting and fun vehicles we've seen pass through the sporty coupe category in a long time," said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY founder and executive producer. "The ICOTY jury agreed that the new Veloster had the most personality and will bond effortlessly with consumer lifestyles in both mind and spirit."
The 16th annual ICOTY presenters included Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief, Road & Travel Magazine; Denise McCluggage, famed auto journalist and author; and Ken Gross, auto writer for Playboy and Hemisphere's magazine.
"Conceived to attract new, youthful drivers to the Hyundai brand, Veloster stands out from the crowd with a stylish yet functional design that combines the best characteristics of both a coupe and hatchback," said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The unique personality of the car is attracting many different types of shoppers and we're honored that the ICOTY jury agrees."
The Veloster is an innovative compact coupe that features ground-breaking design, with a unique 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 that can be mated to either Hyundai's first EcoShift™ dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. The Veloster is also one of four Hyundai vehicles that achieve 40 mpg on the highway, along with the Accent, Elantra and Sonata Hybrid.
ICOTY
The ICOTY Awards were founded in 1996 by Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief of Road & Travel Magazine. Its unique and pioneering theme was created by Caldwell to recognize automakers that successfully designed their vehicles to consumer lifestyles eliciting an emotional connection to, and passion for, the cars they own and drive, which translates into consumer loyalty. Today, many automakers use the 'emotional connection' theme in their national marketing and advertising campaigns to connect with consumers.
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 800 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.
"The Veloster is one of the most exciting and fun vehicles we've seen pass through the sporty coupe category in a long time," said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY founder and executive producer. "The ICOTY jury agreed that the new Veloster had the most personality and will bond effortlessly with consumer lifestyles in both mind and spirit."
The 16th annual ICOTY presenters included Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief, Road & Travel Magazine; Denise McCluggage, famed auto journalist and author; and Ken Gross, auto writer for Playboy and Hemisphere's magazine.
"Conceived to attract new, youthful drivers to the Hyundai brand, Veloster stands out from the crowd with a stylish yet functional design that combines the best characteristics of both a coupe and hatchback," said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The unique personality of the car is attracting many different types of shoppers and we're honored that the ICOTY jury agrees."
The Veloster is an innovative compact coupe that features ground-breaking design, with a unique 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 that can be mated to either Hyundai's first EcoShift™ dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. The Veloster is also one of four Hyundai vehicles that achieve 40 mpg on the highway, along with the Accent, Elantra and Sonata Hybrid.
ICOTY
The ICOTY Awards were founded in 1996 by Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief of Road & Travel Magazine. Its unique and pioneering theme was created by Caldwell to recognize automakers that successfully designed their vehicles to consumer lifestyles eliciting an emotional connection to, and passion for, the cars they own and drive, which translates into consumer loyalty. Today, many automakers use the 'emotional connection' theme in their national marketing and advertising campaigns to connect with consumers.
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 800 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.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
HYUNDAI VELOSTER NAMED AUTOBYTEL'S 2012 CAR OF THE YEAR
Autobytel named the all-new 2012 Hyundai Veloster its Car of the Year for 2012. Autobytel's Car of the Year Award is selected annually by the editorial staff at Autobytel.com, a website dedicated to helping dealers and car-buyers connect online. The Veloster also won the award in the Compact Car category.
"Bringing progressive style and substance to the sport compact category, the 3-door hatchback Hyundai Veloster coupe is a win, appealing to fans from the college-bound to the empty nester. The design is a masterfully aggressive representation of Hyundai's design language," said Michelle Naranjo, managing editor, Autobytel.com. "Starting at $17,300 Autobytel editors believe that the 2012 Hyundai Veloster will be leading the pack for the coming year."
Every year Autobytel.com editors ranging in age, driving habits and geography test out a number of cars. This year's winner, the Veloster, was chosen based on its game changing potential, advances in design and overall efficiency.
"From the name to its long list of attributes, the Veloster is truly one of a kind - it offers the latest in-vehicle technology, delivers 40 mpg on the highway and combines the sporty driving dynamics of a coupe and utility of a hatchback," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "This award serves as a testament to the true innovation of our company and we're tremendously honored to receive this accolade from the automotive experts at Autobytel."
The all-new 2012 Veloster is the sixth vehicle in Hyundai's 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative. Delivering innovation to the compact coupe segment with standard features such as a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai's Blue Link™ telematics system, Pandora® internet radio, seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter Gasoline-Direct-Injected (GDI) four-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission. GDI technology helps deliver highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, lower emissions and higher reliability. With a starting price of $17,300 (plus freight), Veloster adds great value to its compelling list attributes.
AUTOBYTEL INC. (www.autobytel.com)
Autobytel Inc., an online leader offering consumer purchase requests and marketing resources to car dealers and manufacturers and providing consumers with the information they need to purchase new and used cars, pioneered the automotive Internet when it launched autobytel.com in 1995. Autobytel continues to offer innovative products and services to help consumers buy, and auto dealers and manufacturers sell, more used and new cars. Autobytel has helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and helped every major automaker market its brand online. Through its flagship website Autobytel.com®, its network of automotive sites, including Autoweb.com®, AutoSite.com®, Car.comsm, CarSmart.com®, DealershipJobs.comsm, MyGarage.com® and MyRide.com® and its respected online partners, Autobytel continues its dedication to innovating the industry's highest quality Internet programs to provide consumers with a comprehensive and positive automotive research and purchasing experience, and auto dealers, dealer groups and auto manufacturers with some of the industry's most productive and cost-effective customer referral and marketing programs.
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 800 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.
"Bringing progressive style and substance to the sport compact category, the 3-door hatchback Hyundai Veloster coupe is a win, appealing to fans from the college-bound to the empty nester. The design is a masterfully aggressive representation of Hyundai's design language," said Michelle Naranjo, managing editor, Autobytel.com. "Starting at $17,300 Autobytel editors believe that the 2012 Hyundai Veloster will be leading the pack for the coming year."
Every year Autobytel.com editors ranging in age, driving habits and geography test out a number of cars. This year's winner, the Veloster, was chosen based on its game changing potential, advances in design and overall efficiency.
"From the name to its long list of attributes, the Veloster is truly one of a kind - it offers the latest in-vehicle technology, delivers 40 mpg on the highway and combines the sporty driving dynamics of a coupe and utility of a hatchback," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "This award serves as a testament to the true innovation of our company and we're tremendously honored to receive this accolade from the automotive experts at Autobytel."
The all-new 2012 Veloster is the sixth vehicle in Hyundai's 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative. Delivering innovation to the compact coupe segment with standard features such as a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai's Blue Link™ telematics system, Pandora® internet radio, seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter Gasoline-Direct-Injected (GDI) four-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission. GDI technology helps deliver highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, lower emissions and higher reliability. With a starting price of $17,300 (plus freight), Veloster adds great value to its compelling list attributes.
AUTOBYTEL INC. (www.autobytel.com)
Autobytel Inc., an online leader offering consumer purchase requests and marketing resources to car dealers and manufacturers and providing consumers with the information they need to purchase new and used cars, pioneered the automotive Internet when it launched autobytel.com in 1995. Autobytel continues to offer innovative products and services to help consumers buy, and auto dealers and manufacturers sell, more used and new cars. Autobytel has helped tens of millions of automotive consumers research vehicles; connected thousands of dealers nationwide with motivated car buyers; and helped every major automaker market its brand online. Through its flagship website Autobytel.com®, its network of automotive sites, including Autoweb.com®, AutoSite.com®, Car.comsm, CarSmart.com®, DealershipJobs.comsm, MyGarage.com® and MyRide.com® and its respected online partners, Autobytel continues its dedication to innovating the industry's highest quality Internet programs to provide consumers with a comprehensive and positive automotive research and purchasing experience, and auto dealers, dealer groups and auto manufacturers with some of the industry's most productive and cost-effective customer referral and marketing programs.
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 800 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.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
HYUNDAI ELANTRA NAMED 2012 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR
Award caps record year for Hyundai Motor America and Elantra
* Bold Fluidic Sculpture design
* Best-in-class standard fuel economy on all models
* Highest owner satisfaction with real world fuel economy of all compact cars
* Mid-size interior room in a compact class footprint
* Elantra is built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra took top honors in the most exclusive award in North America when it was named 2012 North American Car of the Year today.
A jury of 50 independent North American automotive journalists evaluated each of the new cars introduced last year and chose the 2012 Hyundai Elantra as the winner. The award was announced at a news conference at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which marks Hyundai's second win. The Hyundai Genesis was named North American Car of the Year in 2009.
"Elantra speaks to the success of our recipe of bold design and great fuel economy," said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America. "In a year with some truly breakthrough competitors, we are honored that the jury recognizes Elantra's far-reaching impact on the industry."
The jurors considered more than 50 new vehicles, before selecting the top three cars and top three trucks. The Volkswagen Passat and Ford Focus were the other car finalists.
This is the 19th year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European "Car of the Year." The jury is administered by an organizing committee and funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors judge the cars on a number of factors including innovation, impact on the industry, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.
HYUNDAI "FLUIDIC SCULPTURE" DESIGN
Elantra exemplifies Hyundai's emotional "Fluidic Sculpture" design principles. "Fluidic Sculpture" considers the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. Elantra is an evolution of the design qualities found in Sonata.
Along Elantra's sides are Sonata's flowing lines, with the addition of a strong undercut feature line starting at the front door. These lines, along with muscular wheel arches and a sleek roofline, create a memorable and spacious package. Flowing lines also lead to an aerodynamic body. The drag coefficient for the Elantra is an exceptionally low 0.28 that compares favorably to the Chevrolet Volt (0.29).
Hyundai's signature hexagonal front grille and detailed swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact athletic face. The assertive stance is complimented by 15-, 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels and athletic proportions. Available fog lights and side repeater mirrors complete the distinct design. Elantra was designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.
40 MPG POWERTRAIN
Elantra's standard fuel economy is EPA-rated at 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, amd 33 mpg combined, with the six-speed automatic transmission or manual transmission. These figures give Elantra a highway-only driving range of up to 500 miles. Elantra's strong EPA ratings are backed up by the highest owner satisfaction with real-world fuel economy in the compact class, according to data from J.D. Power and Associates.
Under the hood, the Elantra is powered by an all-new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque (145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque for Elantra PZEV). Thanks to advanced clean engine technology, most Elantras sold in California, Oregon and several Northeast states are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) by the EPA. The PZEV Elantra is as clean as many hybrid electric vehicles. The PZEV Elantra helps Hyundai meet its environmental commitments. Outside of these "green" states, the Elantra is available as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).
Mark on the Market
Most importantly, Elantra is driving traffic to Hyundai showrooms. Elantra's record 186,361 sales helped Hyundai achieve its record sales of 645,691 units in the U.S. in 2011. Hyundai Motor America posted a 20 percent increase over 2011 total sales.
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 800 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.
* Bold Fluidic Sculpture design
* Best-in-class standard fuel economy on all models
* Highest owner satisfaction with real world fuel economy of all compact cars
* Mid-size interior room in a compact class footprint
* Elantra is built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra took top honors in the most exclusive award in North America when it was named 2012 North American Car of the Year today.
A jury of 50 independent North American automotive journalists evaluated each of the new cars introduced last year and chose the 2012 Hyundai Elantra as the winner. The award was announced at a news conference at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which marks Hyundai's second win. The Hyundai Genesis was named North American Car of the Year in 2009.
"Elantra speaks to the success of our recipe of bold design and great fuel economy," said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America. "In a year with some truly breakthrough competitors, we are honored that the jury recognizes Elantra's far-reaching impact on the industry."
The jurors considered more than 50 new vehicles, before selecting the top three cars and top three trucks. The Volkswagen Passat and Ford Focus were the other car finalists.
This is the 19th year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European "Car of the Year." The jury is administered by an organizing committee and funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors judge the cars on a number of factors including innovation, impact on the industry, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.
HYUNDAI "FLUIDIC SCULPTURE" DESIGN
Elantra exemplifies Hyundai's emotional "Fluidic Sculpture" design principles. "Fluidic Sculpture" considers the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. Elantra is an evolution of the design qualities found in Sonata.
Along Elantra's sides are Sonata's flowing lines, with the addition of a strong undercut feature line starting at the front door. These lines, along with muscular wheel arches and a sleek roofline, create a memorable and spacious package. Flowing lines also lead to an aerodynamic body. The drag coefficient for the Elantra is an exceptionally low 0.28 that compares favorably to the Chevrolet Volt (0.29).
Hyundai's signature hexagonal front grille and detailed swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact athletic face. The assertive stance is complimented by 15-, 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels and athletic proportions. Available fog lights and side repeater mirrors complete the distinct design. Elantra was designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.
40 MPG POWERTRAIN
Elantra's standard fuel economy is EPA-rated at 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, amd 33 mpg combined, with the six-speed automatic transmission or manual transmission. These figures give Elantra a highway-only driving range of up to 500 miles. Elantra's strong EPA ratings are backed up by the highest owner satisfaction with real-world fuel economy in the compact class, according to data from J.D. Power and Associates.
Under the hood, the Elantra is powered by an all-new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque (145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque for Elantra PZEV). Thanks to advanced clean engine technology, most Elantras sold in California, Oregon and several Northeast states are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) by the EPA. The PZEV Elantra is as clean as many hybrid electric vehicles. The PZEV Elantra helps Hyundai meet its environmental commitments. Outside of these "green" states, the Elantra is available as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).
Mark on the Market
Most importantly, Elantra is driving traffic to Hyundai showrooms. Elantra's record 186,361 sales helped Hyundai achieve its record sales of 645,691 units in the U.S. in 2011. Hyundai Motor America posted a 20 percent increase over 2011 total sales.
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 800 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.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Six Hyundai Models Earn 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick Honors
Hyundai Elantra, Sonata, Genesis, Equus, Tucson and Santa Fe Achieve Highest Safety Ratings
Six Hyundai models, the all-new Hyundai Elantra, Sonata, Genesis, Equus, Tucson and Santa Fe, achieved the 2012 Top Safety Pick honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on "good" ratings in Institute tests. Winners must also have available Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a crash avoidance feature that significantly reduces crash risk.
"Safety has always been a top priority at Hyundai, so we are thrilled to see six of our models on this important and prestigious list," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Having led the industry in standardizing Electronic Stability Control for the midsize sedan segment back in 2005, Hyundai is committed to developing and providing the best in both passive and active safety technologies."
The IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings help consumers pick vehicles that offer a higher level of protection than federal safety standards require. In 2010, the Institute toughened the criteria for Top Safety Pick by adding a requirement that all qualifiers must earn a "good" rating for performance in a roof strength test to assess protection in a rollover crash.
"For the second year running a record number of models qualify," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "It's tough to win, and we commend auto manufacturers for making safety a top priority."
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 800 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, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee. Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2011 Hyundai Motor America.
Six Hyundai models, the all-new Hyundai Elantra, Sonata, Genesis, Equus, Tucson and Santa Fe, achieved the 2012 Top Safety Pick honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on "good" ratings in Institute tests. Winners must also have available Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a crash avoidance feature that significantly reduces crash risk.
"Safety has always been a top priority at Hyundai, so we are thrilled to see six of our models on this important and prestigious list," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Having led the industry in standardizing Electronic Stability Control for the midsize sedan segment back in 2005, Hyundai is committed to developing and providing the best in both passive and active safety technologies."
The IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings help consumers pick vehicles that offer a higher level of protection than federal safety standards require. In 2010, the Institute toughened the criteria for Top Safety Pick by adding a requirement that all qualifiers must earn a "good" rating for performance in a roof strength test to assess protection in a rollover crash.
"For the second year running a record number of models qualify," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "It's tough to win, and we commend auto manufacturers for making safety a top priority."
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 800 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, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee. Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2011 Hyundai Motor America.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Hyundai Sonata Leads the Competition With Best Fuel Economy in the EPA Large Car Segment
Sonata Provides Generous Interior Roominess without Typical Fuel Economy Compromises Associated With Large Car Comfort
Hyundai Sonata, the popular sedan offering class-above interior volume compared with its key competitors, also provides the best fuel economy in the EPA Large Car segment with an exceptional 28 mpg combined fuel economy rating.
Sonata interior volume is a generous 120.2 cubic feet, placing it in the EPA Large Car segment, where most of its competitors offer significantly lower combined fuel economy ratings.
2012 EPA Large Car Segment Combined Fuel Economy Ratings
Even among traditionally recognized mid-sized segment competitors, Sonata offers unsurpassed fuel economy.
2012 Traditional Mid-size Car Segment Combined Fuel Economy Ratings
"In developing the made-in-USA Sonata for mid-size sedan consumers, Hyundai engineers continually sought to exceed their expectations," said Mike O'Brien, Hyundai's vice president of corporate and strategic planning. "This meant overcoming the traditional compromises that face product development engineers, such as providing comfortable interior roominess coupled with powerful engines and exceptional fuel economy."
Sonata's large-car level of interior roominess, combined with fuel economy leadership, proves that manufacturers must continually challenge conventional thinking to delight their customers in new ways. This year, it's clear that consumers have responded to Hyundai's development team efforts with Sonata selling more than 200,000 Sonatas for the first time ever.
REAL-WORLD FUEL ECONOMY SATISFACTION
Not only does Sonata excel in government tests with exceptional combined fuel economy ratings, it also proves its efficiency in the day-to-day driving of its owners. In the 2011 J.D. Power APEAL satisfaction study, Sonata had the highest owner-reported satisfaction levels of its mid-size and large sedan competitors, with 30 percent of its owners rating its fuel economy the top rank of "truly exceptional."
2011 J.D. Power APEAL Satisfaction Study Owner-reported Ratings
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 800 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, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee. Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2011 Hyundai Motor America.
Hyundai Sonata, the popular sedan offering class-above interior volume compared with its key competitors, also provides the best fuel economy in the EPA Large Car segment with an exceptional 28 mpg combined fuel economy rating.
Sonata interior volume is a generous 120.2 cubic feet, placing it in the EPA Large Car segment, where most of its competitors offer significantly lower combined fuel economy ratings.
2012 EPA Large Car Segment Combined Fuel Economy Ratings
| EPA Large Car Segment |
Hyundai Sonata | Chevrolet Impala | Chrysler 300 | Dodge Charger | Ford Taurus | Honda Accord | Toyota Avalon |
| EPA Combined fuel economy rating (mpg) |
28 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 27 | 23 |
2012 Traditional Mid-size Car Segment Combined Fuel Economy Ratings
| Traditional Mid-size Car Segment |
Hyundai Sonata |
Chevrolet Malibu |
Toyota Camry |
Nissan Altima |
Nissan Maxima |
Ford Fusion |
Kia Optima |
| EPA Combined fuel economy rating (mpg) |
28 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 22 | 26 | 28 |
Sonata's large-car level of interior roominess, combined with fuel economy leadership, proves that manufacturers must continually challenge conventional thinking to delight their customers in new ways. This year, it's clear that consumers have responded to Hyundai's development team efforts with Sonata selling more than 200,000 Sonatas for the first time ever.
REAL-WORLD FUEL ECONOMY SATISFACTION
Not only does Sonata excel in government tests with exceptional combined fuel economy ratings, it also proves its efficiency in the day-to-day driving of its owners. In the 2011 J.D. Power APEAL satisfaction study, Sonata had the highest owner-reported satisfaction levels of its mid-size and large sedan competitors, with 30 percent of its owners rating its fuel economy the top rank of "truly exceptional."
2011 J.D. Power APEAL Satisfaction Study Owner-reported Ratings
| Sonata Sedan Competitors | Hyundai Sonata | Comp. Model A |
Comp. Model B |
Comp. Model C |
Comp. Model D |
Comp. Model E |
Comp. Model F |
Mid-size Segment Average |
| Rating of Vehicle's Fuel Economy (mpg) (1-10) 10 = "Truly Exceptional" |
30% | 18% | 16% | 19% | 20% | 19% | 23% | 20% |
| Fuel Economy Index Mean/Weighted Average | 814.4 | 745.0 | 753.9 | 761.5 | 760.1 | 719.3 | 800.9 | 756.3 |
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 800 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, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee. Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2011 Hyundai Motor America.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
HYUNDAI NAMED TOP CPO PROGRAM
Awards Revealed at Certified Pre-Owned Forum and National Remarketing Conference In Las Vegas Nov. 15
IntelliChoice, the leading provider of automotive cost of ownership and value analysis and part of the Motor Trend Automotive Group, announced today the winners of its 13th annual ranking of manufacturer Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs, at the Certified Pre-Owned Forum and National Remarketing Conference in Las Vegas. For the fifth straight year, Volvo earned the top ranking among Premium manufacturers, while Hyundai was ranked highest among Popular vehicle brands.
Each year, IntelliChoice issues the industry's only independent report card comparing Certified Pre-Owned programs offered to consumers through franchise dealerships. Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles (CPOs) are cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles that have come off lease or have been resold to dealers, and have been thoroughly inspected prior to sale. Car manufacturers have traditionally refined and augmented their programs based on the criteria employed by IntelliChoice in its benchmarking analysis, in an effort to compete more effectively in the marketplace for certified used cars.
"Since 2008, Hyundai had placed third overall in the Popular category, but was finally able to break into the top spot overtaking the two previous winners, MINI and Volkswagen," said Eric Anderson, senior analyst at IntelliChoice. "While Volvo was able to retain its top ranking in the Premium category, Cadillac and Porsche are not far behind."
Tyler Schulze, vice president and general manager of IntelliChoice, added, "The Certified Pre-Owned segment of the market continues to be very important to manufacturers and dealers alike, particularly due to the recent contraction in used-vehicle inventory levels. The ability for dealers to certify their best used cars and trucks under a compelling program sponsored by the manufacturer is a clear win for both the consumer and the dealer. We continue to see marginal year-over-year improvements in CPO program features across all makes, indicating that consumers can benefit from the ever-increasing competition in this market segment."
Methodology
IntelliChoice originally developed its CPO analysis methodology to address the significant growth of manufacturer CPO programs in line with its stated mission to provide consumers with comprehensive automotive analysis and advice. IntelliChoice investigates and analyzes 26 manufacturer programs which are divided into two major classes: Premium and Popular. Programs are then rated on the following set of nine criteria that consumers have identified as being most valuable to their decision-making processes:
Extended Manufacturer Warranties
Title Verification
Certification Inspection Process
Roadside Assistance
Special Financing
Return/Exchange Policies
Program and Dealer Compliance
Used Cost of Ownership
Market Penetration
The 2012 Winners Include:
Premium:
Overall Winner Volvo
Best Warranty Porsche
Used Cost of Ownership Lincoln
Popular:
Overall Winner Hyundai
Best Warranty MINI
Used Cost of OwnershipToyota
Top 5 Premium Programs:
1. Volvo
2. Cadillac
3. Porsche
4. Lexus
5. Lincoln
Top 5 Popular Programs:
1. Hyundai
2. MINI
3. Toyota
4. Honda
5. Scion
About IntelliChoice
IntelliChoice, part of the Motor Trend Auto Group, is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car values analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com web site consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price new cars. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide. Motor Trend Auto Group is a subsidiary of Source Interlink Media, a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.
IntelliChoice, the leading provider of automotive cost of ownership and value analysis and part of the Motor Trend Automotive Group, announced today the winners of its 13th annual ranking of manufacturer Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs, at the Certified Pre-Owned Forum and National Remarketing Conference in Las Vegas. For the fifth straight year, Volvo earned the top ranking among Premium manufacturers, while Hyundai was ranked highest among Popular vehicle brands.
Each year, IntelliChoice issues the industry's only independent report card comparing Certified Pre-Owned programs offered to consumers through franchise dealerships. Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles (CPOs) are cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles that have come off lease or have been resold to dealers, and have been thoroughly inspected prior to sale. Car manufacturers have traditionally refined and augmented their programs based on the criteria employed by IntelliChoice in its benchmarking analysis, in an effort to compete more effectively in the marketplace for certified used cars.
"Since 2008, Hyundai had placed third overall in the Popular category, but was finally able to break into the top spot overtaking the two previous winners, MINI and Volkswagen," said Eric Anderson, senior analyst at IntelliChoice. "While Volvo was able to retain its top ranking in the Premium category, Cadillac and Porsche are not far behind."
Tyler Schulze, vice president and general manager of IntelliChoice, added, "The Certified Pre-Owned segment of the market continues to be very important to manufacturers and dealers alike, particularly due to the recent contraction in used-vehicle inventory levels. The ability for dealers to certify their best used cars and trucks under a compelling program sponsored by the manufacturer is a clear win for both the consumer and the dealer. We continue to see marginal year-over-year improvements in CPO program features across all makes, indicating that consumers can benefit from the ever-increasing competition in this market segment."
Methodology
IntelliChoice originally developed its CPO analysis methodology to address the significant growth of manufacturer CPO programs in line with its stated mission to provide consumers with comprehensive automotive analysis and advice. IntelliChoice investigates and analyzes 26 manufacturer programs which are divided into two major classes: Premium and Popular. Programs are then rated on the following set of nine criteria that consumers have identified as being most valuable to their decision-making processes:
Extended Manufacturer Warranties
Title Verification
Certification Inspection Process
Roadside Assistance
Special Financing
Return/Exchange Policies
Program and Dealer Compliance
Used Cost of Ownership
Market Penetration
The 2012 Winners Include:
Premium:
Overall Winner Volvo
Best Warranty Porsche
Used Cost of Ownership Lincoln
Popular:
Overall Winner Hyundai
Best Warranty MINI
Used Cost of OwnershipToyota
Top 5 Premium Programs:
1. Volvo
2. Cadillac
3. Porsche
4. Lexus
5. Lincoln
Top 5 Popular Programs:
1. Hyundai
2. MINI
3. Toyota
4. Honda
5. Scion
About IntelliChoice
IntelliChoice, part of the Motor Trend Auto Group, is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car values analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com web site consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price new cars. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide. Motor Trend Auto Group is a subsidiary of Source Interlink Media, a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
HYUNDAI ELANTRA WINS ALG RESIDUAL VALUE AWARD FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW
13th Annual ALG Awards Honor Elantra in Compact Car Segment
Hyundai today announced that the 2012 Elantra has received a Residual Value Award from ALG in the Compact Car segment. ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data, annually recognizes automakers' outstanding achievements in producing new vehicles that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional three-year period. Awards are given in 19 vehicle categories. This year's awards are based on 2012 model year vehicles.
"The Elantra's eye-catching sporty profile and upscale interior, combined with Hyundai's increasing image of quality, earn the model its second consecutive win in the Compact Car segment," said Raj Sundaram, ALG. "High demand and minimal incentives also help it nab the top spot."
Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing and marketing strategies remain the key factors that affect ALG's residual value forecasts.
"Hyundai's Elantra stands out in the competitive compact segment, offering innovation, content, style, and 40 mpg highway standard fuel economy," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Strong residual value is an important element in Hyundai's overall value equation, reducing the overall cost of ownership and allowing us to offer customers the Hyundai Assurance Trade-In Value Guarantee."
The Trade-In Value Guarantee is the newest addition to the Hyundai Assurance suite of programs. It eliminates concern about depreciation by giving Hyundai owners a guaranteed value for their vehicle in months 24 through 48 of ownership.
The 2012 Elantra sets the bar in the compact sedan category offering a "class-above" midsize car interior volume, modern design, outstanding fuel economy, and loads of comfort and convenience features, all at an attractive starting price. Elantra also delivers standard advanced safety technologies including a new Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system to optimally manage Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS).
ALG (www.alg.com)
Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the "Automotive Lease Guide" – the standard for Residual Value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 45 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. ALG is a subsidiary of TrueCar, Inc.
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 800 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, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee.
Hyundai today announced that the 2012 Elantra has received a Residual Value Award from ALG in the Compact Car segment. ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data, annually recognizes automakers' outstanding achievements in producing new vehicles that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional three-year period. Awards are given in 19 vehicle categories. This year's awards are based on 2012 model year vehicles.
"The Elantra's eye-catching sporty profile and upscale interior, combined with Hyundai's increasing image of quality, earn the model its second consecutive win in the Compact Car segment," said Raj Sundaram, ALG. "High demand and minimal incentives also help it nab the top spot."
Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing and marketing strategies remain the key factors that affect ALG's residual value forecasts.
"Hyundai's Elantra stands out in the competitive compact segment, offering innovation, content, style, and 40 mpg highway standard fuel economy," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Strong residual value is an important element in Hyundai's overall value equation, reducing the overall cost of ownership and allowing us to offer customers the Hyundai Assurance Trade-In Value Guarantee."
The Trade-In Value Guarantee is the newest addition to the Hyundai Assurance suite of programs. It eliminates concern about depreciation by giving Hyundai owners a guaranteed value for their vehicle in months 24 through 48 of ownership.
The 2012 Elantra sets the bar in the compact sedan category offering a "class-above" midsize car interior volume, modern design, outstanding fuel economy, and loads of comfort and convenience features, all at an attractive starting price. Elantra also delivers standard advanced safety technologies including a new Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system to optimally manage Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS).
ALG (www.alg.com)
Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the "Automotive Lease Guide" – the standard for Residual Value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 45 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. ALG is a subsidiary of TrueCar, Inc.
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 800 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, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Hyundai, Kia and Ford brands see the biggest long-term gains
Toyota's perceived quality score rose more than two percent over the last six months closing the gap with leading mainstream brand Honda, and Lexus once again reigned supreme among luxury brands, according to the Fall 2011 Perceived Quality Study from ALG, an independent subsidiary of TrueCar, Inc., and the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data.
"The continued rally of Toyota is evidence of the brand's widespread reputation for quality and ownership loyalty. This is the third straight survey where Toyota has shown relatively strong growth. If this trend continues, the brand might soon regain the top spot from Honda in the mainstream category," states Eric Lyman, Vice President, Residual Value Solutions, ALG.
Twice a year, ALG surveys approximately 3,000-4,000 U.S. consumers to gauge perceptions of a number of mainstream and luxury automotive brands for its PQS. According to Lyman, "Consumer perception can dramatically affect a brand's reputation and sales. A strong perception can result in greater sales while a negative perception can drive a consumer away from a brand's entire lineup."
Of the 23 brands included in the Fall 2008 survey that remain in the survey today, Ford brands, Kia and Hyundai have racked up the biggest long-term gains. Hyundai led the group, moving from 18th place to 9th place, a gain of nine spots over the past three years. Ford Cars and Ford Trucks moved from 15th to 7th and 8th to 3rd place, respectively, and lastly, Kia jumped from 23rd place in 2008 (last place among those still in the survey) to 18th place.
"These three automakers have made impressive efforts to improve brand perception and we can see that it has truly paid off in the mainstream rankings. The perception of where luxury brands stand in relation to each other seems to be solidly cemented in the minds of consumers, owing to the consistency of the luxury rankings," adds Lyman.
Additional highlights from the survey include: in the luxury category, Lexus topped the charts with an overall PQS of 82.4 (out of 100) followed by Mercedes (79.8 and -3.9 percent vs. the Spring 2011 Study), BMW (78.4; -2.5 percent), Porsche (76.7; -4 percent) and Acura (76.3; -2.6 percent). New to the survey is Alfa Romeo, scheduled to reenter the US market in 2013, which came in at the bottom of the luxury rankings, but as a brand is relatively unknown among US consumers. Honda (78.9; -2.5 percent) once again led the mainstream brands and Toyota (75.3; +2.3 percent) continued to rebound from the product recalls from early last year. Ford Trucks (68.7; -3.8 percent), Subaru (68.3; -3.5 percent), and Nissan (67.6; -3.4 percent) round out the top five.
About ALG
Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the "Automotive Lease Guide" -- the standard for residual value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 45 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets.
About TrueCar, Inc.
TrueCar, Inc. is an innovative automotive marketplace that benefits both buyers and sellers by providing a significantly better customer experience while helping qualified dealer partners to gain incremental market share and reduce costs. As a transparent, visual publisher of new car transaction data, TrueCar.com price reports help both dealers and consumers to agree on the parameters of a fair deal by providing an accurate, comprehensive and simple understanding of what others actually paid for the identically equipped new car over the last 30 days both locally and nationally.
TrueCar, Inc. works with a national network of over 5,000 Certified Dealers that provide up-front, no-haggle, competitive pricing to assist some of the nation's largest and most well respected membership and service organizations to meet the auto buying needs of their members and customers. These partnerships include American Express, AAA, USAA and more than 60 others. Collectively these audiences represent over 1M in-market customers each month.
"The continued rally of Toyota is evidence of the brand's widespread reputation for quality and ownership loyalty. This is the third straight survey where Toyota has shown relatively strong growth. If this trend continues, the brand might soon regain the top spot from Honda in the mainstream category," states Eric Lyman, Vice President, Residual Value Solutions, ALG.
Twice a year, ALG surveys approximately 3,000-4,000 U.S. consumers to gauge perceptions of a number of mainstream and luxury automotive brands for its PQS. According to Lyman, "Consumer perception can dramatically affect a brand's reputation and sales. A strong perception can result in greater sales while a negative perception can drive a consumer away from a brand's entire lineup."
Of the 23 brands included in the Fall 2008 survey that remain in the survey today, Ford brands, Kia and Hyundai have racked up the biggest long-term gains. Hyundai led the group, moving from 18th place to 9th place, a gain of nine spots over the past three years. Ford Cars and Ford Trucks moved from 15th to 7th and 8th to 3rd place, respectively, and lastly, Kia jumped from 23rd place in 2008 (last place among those still in the survey) to 18th place.
"These three automakers have made impressive efforts to improve brand perception and we can see that it has truly paid off in the mainstream rankings. The perception of where luxury brands stand in relation to each other seems to be solidly cemented in the minds of consumers, owing to the consistency of the luxury rankings," adds Lyman.
Additional highlights from the survey include: in the luxury category, Lexus topped the charts with an overall PQS of 82.4 (out of 100) followed by Mercedes (79.8 and -3.9 percent vs. the Spring 2011 Study), BMW (78.4; -2.5 percent), Porsche (76.7; -4 percent) and Acura (76.3; -2.6 percent). New to the survey is Alfa Romeo, scheduled to reenter the US market in 2013, which came in at the bottom of the luxury rankings, but as a brand is relatively unknown among US consumers. Honda (78.9; -2.5 percent) once again led the mainstream brands and Toyota (75.3; +2.3 percent) continued to rebound from the product recalls from early last year. Ford Trucks (68.7; -3.8 percent), Subaru (68.3; -3.5 percent), and Nissan (67.6; -3.4 percent) round out the top five.
About ALG
Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the "Automotive Lease Guide" -- the standard for residual value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 45 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets.
About TrueCar, Inc.
TrueCar, Inc. is an innovative automotive marketplace that benefits both buyers and sellers by providing a significantly better customer experience while helping qualified dealer partners to gain incremental market share and reduce costs. As a transparent, visual publisher of new car transaction data, TrueCar.com price reports help both dealers and consumers to agree on the parameters of a fair deal by providing an accurate, comprehensive and simple understanding of what others actually paid for the identically equipped new car over the last 30 days both locally and nationally.
TrueCar, Inc. works with a national network of over 5,000 Certified Dealers that provide up-front, no-haggle, competitive pricing to assist some of the nation's largest and most well respected membership and service organizations to meet the auto buying needs of their members and customers. These partnerships include American Express, AAA, USAA and more than 60 others. Collectively these audiences represent over 1M in-market customers each month.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Top Wheels, Part I: Five Cars for Work
When you get right down to it, there are two types of luxury cars. The first is both practical and pleasurable--the car that will actually make you look forward to your daily commute, yet won't draw undue attention in the office parking lot. The second is the kind that simply makes your spirit--and body-soar. To help you find the right ride for your needs, the Chief Executive teamed up with Edmunds.com to round up the best of the best in each category in a two-part series.
In this issue, we present five cars that offer comfort, performance and hi-tech features but are also sensitive to appearances--essential in an era of intense scrutiny of corporate leaders. These wheels will carry you in comfort, while making the kind of statement you're comfortable with. Stay tuned for our November/December issue's roundup of five cars that deliver powerful performance—perfect for play.
Until now, Hyundai hasn't been known for making luxury vehicles, but it has clearly challenged the Germans and Japanese with this sumptuous sedan. Think of it as all the things that you like best about the full-size Lexus LS sedan--quiet ride, effortless driving, lots of comfort, and convenience features--and a price that makes you think of Costco.
Just like a Lexus, the Korean-built Equus is a premium car, stately and imposing in appearance. It's fully powered, with a large V-8 engine up front and the rear wheels putting the power on the ground. The range of comfort and convenience features isn’t as broad as either Lexus or the premium German sedans, yet it has everything you need.
The Hyundai Equus makes a statement about money, but one about value, not excess. Hyundai has become a brand that's about smart spending—a message today's CEOs understand all too well.
by William J. Holstein and Michael Jordan
In this issue, we present five cars that offer comfort, performance and hi-tech features but are also sensitive to appearances--essential in an era of intense scrutiny of corporate leaders. These wheels will carry you in comfort, while making the kind of statement you're comfortable with. Stay tuned for our November/December issue's roundup of five cars that deliver powerful performance—perfect for play.
Until now, Hyundai hasn't been known for making luxury vehicles, but it has clearly challenged the Germans and Japanese with this sumptuous sedan. Think of it as all the things that you like best about the full-size Lexus LS sedan--quiet ride, effortless driving, lots of comfort, and convenience features--and a price that makes you think of Costco.
Just like a Lexus, the Korean-built Equus is a premium car, stately and imposing in appearance. It's fully powered, with a large V-8 engine up front and the rear wheels putting the power on the ground. The range of comfort and convenience features isn’t as broad as either Lexus or the premium German sedans, yet it has everything you need.
The Hyundai Equus makes a statement about money, but one about value, not excess. Hyundai has become a brand that's about smart spending—a message today's CEOs understand all too well.
by William J. Holstein and Michael Jordan
Thursday, August 25, 2011
HYUNDAI EQUUS RECEIVES J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES 2011 APEAL AWARD
- Equus Tops Large Premium Car Segment
- Hyundai Ranks Ahead of All Asian and Domestic Non-Premium Brands
- Hyundai Achieves Biggest Rank Increase in Industry With 33 Point Gain
J.D. Power and Associates designated the 2011 Hyundai Equus as its most appealing large premium car in the 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM as Hyundai soared in the annual owner survey. In its 16th year, the APEAL study examines owners' assessments of the design, content, layout, and performance of their new vehicle. Vehicles and their brands are scored on a 1,000 point scale.
The Equus exceeded 900 points in this year’s study, achieving the highest APEAL score of any model in the industry. Equus outscored all other luxury premium sedans and performed considerably better than the segment average in the categories of vehicle exterior, storage, and audio/entertainment/navigation.
"The Equus has the distinction of being the highest-performing model in the 2011 APEAL Study," said J.D. Power and Associates. "The Hyundai Equus has achieved an impressive introduction into the marketplace from a performance, execution and layout perspective."
Overall, Hyundai was the most-improved nameplate in the industry and moved up 13 rank positions and 33 points to place 15th in 2011. This is the highest Hyundai has ever ranked in the APEAL Study, finishing ahead of all the Asian and U.S. domestic non-premium brands. The improvement is driven primarily by two of its redesigned models, the Sonata and Elantra, which improve by 57 and 35 points, respectively.
"We are thrilled with the recognition of Equus and the Hyundai brand as a whole in this year's J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study," said Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, Customer Satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America. "With the success of our Equus flagship and the unique appeal of our dynamically designed and fuel-efficient Elantra and Sonata, we're continuing our quest to satisfy all types of American car buyers."
Additionally, in the tightest race in the study, the Hyundai Sonata finished second by just two points – 818 v. 816 -- in the midsize car segment.
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 800 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, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee.
- Hyundai Ranks Ahead of All Asian and Domestic Non-Premium Brands
- Hyundai Achieves Biggest Rank Increase in Industry With 33 Point Gain
J.D. Power and Associates designated the 2011 Hyundai Equus as its most appealing large premium car in the 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM as Hyundai soared in the annual owner survey. In its 16th year, the APEAL study examines owners' assessments of the design, content, layout, and performance of their new vehicle. Vehicles and their brands are scored on a 1,000 point scale.
The Equus exceeded 900 points in this year’s study, achieving the highest APEAL score of any model in the industry. Equus outscored all other luxury premium sedans and performed considerably better than the segment average in the categories of vehicle exterior, storage, and audio/entertainment/navigation.
"The Equus has the distinction of being the highest-performing model in the 2011 APEAL Study," said J.D. Power and Associates. "The Hyundai Equus has achieved an impressive introduction into the marketplace from a performance, execution and layout perspective."
Overall, Hyundai was the most-improved nameplate in the industry and moved up 13 rank positions and 33 points to place 15th in 2011. This is the highest Hyundai has ever ranked in the APEAL Study, finishing ahead of all the Asian and U.S. domestic non-premium brands. The improvement is driven primarily by two of its redesigned models, the Sonata and Elantra, which improve by 57 and 35 points, respectively.
"We are thrilled with the recognition of Equus and the Hyundai brand as a whole in this year's J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study," said Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, Customer Satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America. "With the success of our Equus flagship and the unique appeal of our dynamically designed and fuel-efficient Elantra and Sonata, we're continuing our quest to satisfy all types of American car buyers."
Additionally, in the tightest race in the study, the Hyundai Sonata finished second by just two points – 818 v. 816 -- in the midsize car segment.
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 800 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, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA RANKED ONE OF THE "TOP 10 COOLEST NEW CARS UNDER $18,000" BY KELLEY BLUE BOOK'S KBB.COM
Kbb.com Praises 40 MPG Elantra for Design, Fuel-Efficiency
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has been named one of the "Top 10 Coolest New Cars under $18,000" by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. According to kbb.com experts, the Elantra was chosen on the basis of two criteria—being fun to drive and fun to own. Kbb.com praised the Elantra's "all-around package of slick design, convenient features and fuel efficiency," as well as the fact that "every Elantra gets 40 miles per gallon on the highway."
The Elantra will be one of four Hyundai vehicles sold in 2011 that achieves the milestone 40 MPG highway fuel economy rating, along with the Accent, Sonata Hybrid and the Veloster. Elantra received a complete redesign for 2011, as well as an 18 percent bump in fuel efficiency over its predecessor.
"We're honored that kbb.com recognized so many of the things about the Elantra that we baked into the recipe," said Brandon Ramirez, manager, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "With standard 40 mpg highway fuel economy and terrific looks, as well as a wealth of advanced technological and safety features, the Elantra is definitely one of the coolest options in its segment." The 2011 Elantra excels in terms of design and fuel economy, but it also rises above the competition with a combination of advanced safety features, exceptional interior room equal to that of a midsize sedan and an all-new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. All of these features, plus Hyundai's industry-leading standard warranty, amount to an exceptional vehicle that is also an exceptional value.
As kbb.com notes, "it takes some panache to be fuel efficient, affordable and great looking, and the 2011 Hyundai Elantra pulls it off in style."
Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, remarked of all the vehicles featured in the "Top 10 Coolest Cars under $18,000," "There are great deals to be had on many new cars under $18,000, but only a handful of them really possess that cool, difficult-to-describe 'it' factor. Each year the competition keeps getting tougher in this affordable segment, with more personality-filled, amenity-laden, versatile vehicles entering the marketplace."
For more information about kbb.com's 2011 "Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000," please visit http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/10-coolest-cars-under-18000-_-2011-edition/.
KELLEY BLUE BOOK
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.
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 800 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 power train warranty, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee.
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has been named one of the "Top 10 Coolest New Cars under $18,000" by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. According to kbb.com experts, the Elantra was chosen on the basis of two criteria—being fun to drive and fun to own. Kbb.com praised the Elantra's "all-around package of slick design, convenient features and fuel efficiency," as well as the fact that "every Elantra gets 40 miles per gallon on the highway."
The Elantra will be one of four Hyundai vehicles sold in 2011 that achieves the milestone 40 MPG highway fuel economy rating, along with the Accent, Sonata Hybrid and the Veloster. Elantra received a complete redesign for 2011, as well as an 18 percent bump in fuel efficiency over its predecessor.
"We're honored that kbb.com recognized so many of the things about the Elantra that we baked into the recipe," said Brandon Ramirez, manager, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "With standard 40 mpg highway fuel economy and terrific looks, as well as a wealth of advanced technological and safety features, the Elantra is definitely one of the coolest options in its segment." The 2011 Elantra excels in terms of design and fuel economy, but it also rises above the competition with a combination of advanced safety features, exceptional interior room equal to that of a midsize sedan and an all-new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. All of these features, plus Hyundai's industry-leading standard warranty, amount to an exceptional vehicle that is also an exceptional value.
As kbb.com notes, "it takes some panache to be fuel efficient, affordable and great looking, and the 2011 Hyundai Elantra pulls it off in style."
Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, remarked of all the vehicles featured in the "Top 10 Coolest Cars under $18,000," "There are great deals to be had on many new cars under $18,000, but only a handful of them really possess that cool, difficult-to-describe 'it' factor. Each year the competition keeps getting tougher in this affordable segment, with more personality-filled, amenity-laden, versatile vehicles entering the marketplace."
For more information about kbb.com's 2011 "Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000," please visit http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/10-coolest-cars-under-18000-_-2011-edition/.
KELLEY BLUE BOOK
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.
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 800 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 power train warranty, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Local Auto Dealership Sees High Demand
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB) -- May wasn't a good month for most auto makers. Overall, sales dropped 2.9 percent, the biggest decline since February 2010, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Chrysler and Hyundai, however, saw increases. Chrysler sales were up ten percent over May 2010. Hyundai sales were up 21 percent over the same time last year, largely due to the popularity of the Elantra and Sonata.
"Every month is a new record," said Cliff Dexheimer, Gary Rome Hyundai General Sales Manager . "They're up, up, up. Their market share is greater than it's ever been."
Tami Bailly of Granby just bought an Elantra. Her daughter encouraged her to buy one and she's now encouraging her father-in-law to do the same. She says a price tag of under twenty thousand and a high safety rating are big pluses. She says the biggest reason, though, is gas mileage. The Elantra gets 40 MPG on the highway. The Sonata gets 35.
"What you save on gas is what you can put toward your payment," says Bailly. "I thought it would be a really good deal."
"We're trading in trucks and SUV's like crazy," said Dexheimer. "Folks are saving a hundred or more dollars a month just on their fuel bill."
While demand isn't a problem, Dexheimer says supply is. The dealership's new car lot is almost empty. Bailly is actually on a wait-list for her Elantra. Dexheimer says Hyundai is thinking about adding a third shift at its plant in Alabama. It's an enviable position for a company to be in these days.
Chrysler and Hyundai, however, saw increases. Chrysler sales were up ten percent over May 2010. Hyundai sales were up 21 percent over the same time last year, largely due to the popularity of the Elantra and Sonata.
"Every month is a new record," said Cliff Dexheimer, Gary Rome Hyundai General Sales Manager . "They're up, up, up. Their market share is greater than it's ever been."
Tami Bailly of Granby just bought an Elantra. Her daughter encouraged her to buy one and she's now encouraging her father-in-law to do the same. She says a price tag of under twenty thousand and a high safety rating are big pluses. She says the biggest reason, though, is gas mileage. The Elantra gets 40 MPG on the highway. The Sonata gets 35.
"What you save on gas is what you can put toward your payment," says Bailly. "I thought it would be a really good deal."
"We're trading in trucks and SUV's like crazy," said Dexheimer. "Folks are saving a hundred or more dollars a month just on their fuel bill."
While demand isn't a problem, Dexheimer says supply is. The dealership's new car lot is almost empty. Bailly is actually on a wait-list for her Elantra. Dexheimer says Hyundai is thinking about adding a third shift at its plant in Alabama. It's an enviable position for a company to be in these days.
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