Thursday, April 18, 2019

Hyundai Santa Fe Named a 2019 Wards 10 Best Interior


    • Prestigious award demonstrates Santa Fe’s premium interior
    • Santa Fe is Hyundai’s best-selling SUV in the U.S.

NEW YORK, April 18, 2019 – The Hyundai Santa Fe has earned a 2019 Wards 10 Best Interior award from a field of 32 vehicle nominees with new or significantly redesigned interiors. Vehicles were evaluated by eight Wards editors in Southfield, MI, and scored on aesthetics, comfort, fit-and-finish, material quality and ergonomics. While value is a consideration, there is no price cap for entries.
“The Santa Fe’s performance in the marketplace has surpassed expectations and we continue to be honored in receiving further accolades such as Wards 10 Best Interior,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “This recognition by an authoritative media outlet further enhances consumer awareness of Hyundai and its great products.”
“The $39,905 Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T AWD grade we tested is an incredible value,” said Christie Truett, senior editor, Wards. “It has better materials and fit-and-finish, plus a more progressive interior design, than some competing midsize CUVs costing thousands more. Our editors especially loved its door speaker grilles with their raised, rock-like appearance, as well as the CUV’s tweed-like headliner. What’s more, the Santa Fe comes standard with an array of advanced-driver-assistance system (ADAS) technologies oftentimes optional, even in six-figure luxury models.”
With sales of more than 1.6 million units — the Santa Fe represents Hyundai’s strong SUV heritage and continues its success story with the all-new 2019 model. The fourth generation 2019 model builds on this success offering an all-new family-oriented interior, loaded with practical cutting-edge technologies and bold exterior looks.
The Santa Fe interior design combines premium quality with a roomy layout featuring a strong horizontal design theme and enhanced visibility. Premium touches such as the layered, three-dimensional instrument panel and contrasting seat stitching ensures a high level of luxury within the cabin. The Santa Fe’s larger daylight opening enhances the interior’s feeling of openness with generous amounts of natural light.

Details about the 2019 Wards 10 Best Interior winners will be posted on WardsAuto.com the morning of April 18, following the public announcement at the New York International Auto Show. Galleries and profiles about the winners will be posted before the May 9 WardsAuto Interiors Conference.

Tuesday, April 09, 2019

Meet Hyundai's Newest SUV: Venue | Small on Size; Big on Personality



    •   Venue’s Global Reveal will be on April 17, 2019 at 10:45 a.m. ET at the New York International Auto Show
    •   Tune in to see the “Augmented Reality” Livestream at https://www.hyundaiusa.com/

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 8, 2019
– Hyundai today released design sketches of its newest SUV, Hyundai Venue. Venue symbolizes a trendy, unique style, perfect for Hyundai’s newest, smallest and most affordable SUV. The vehicle embodies the characteristics of ‘the place to be’, en route to the final destination, wherever that may be.
From everyday workplace activities to weekend fun, Venue is a great fit in accommodating busy lifestyles with an abundance of playful and practical features including seamless safety, versatility and connectivity.

Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Hyundai Helps Customers Free Themselves of Student Loan Debt Faster with Student Assurance


    •    Hyundai Introduces Industry-First Incentive to Help Customers Pay Down Their Student Loans by Contributing Up to $900 Toward Their Student Loan Debt
    •   Student Assurance Initially Available from April 1 – September 30 in California and Phoenix, Arizona Dealerships
    •   Student Assurance is a Result of the Better Idea Generator, Hyundai’s Internal Innovation Contest

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 2, 2019
– In building on its brand promise to make things better for customers, Hyundai introduces Student Assurance, an industry-first incentive for customers with student loan debt. Student Assurance will help eligible customers free themselves of student loan debt faster by providing a contribution of up to $900 directly toward their student loan with a purchase or lease of a new Hyundai vehicle.
Student Assurance is initially available at Hyundai dealerships in California and the Phoenix, Arizona area from April 1 – September 30, 2019 with plans for a national rollout based on dealer and customer feedback. To learn more about Student Assurance and to find a participating dealer, visit http://www.hyundaistudentassurance.com.
More than 44 million Americans have student loan debt, totaling more than $1.5 trillion[1]. High student loan debt has far-reaching consequences that not only affect those who owe it, but also the economy at large. A significant number of young adults are putting off life-establishing moves that are traditionally made in their 20’s and 30’s, including purchasing or leasing a new vehicle. This delay in acquiring a vehicle can often impact their ability to travel to a job (according to Gallup, 83 percent of Americans rely on a car to get to work every day), take vacations and participate in other life experiences that are facilitated by personal vehicle ownership.
“We recognize that student loan debt is one of the most significant financial stress points for people and we want to help address that issue, while allowing people to take advantage of the many benefits of owning a new vehicle,” said Michael DePaul, director, Retail Operations, Hyundai Motor America. “Making things better is at the heart of everything we do, and that’s why we are directly contributing to helping our customers get out from being under the burden of student loan debt.”

How the Program Works
Hyundai has designed the program to make it easy for customers to take advantage of this industry-first offer and has partnered with Gradifi, a leading provider of student loan benefits, to administer the contributions directly to the customers’ student loan debts.
1. Customer visits HyundaiStudentAssurance.com to check eligibility and is directed to the Hyundai Student Assurance Center to receive a Reward Code
2. They purchase or lease an eligible new Hyundai vehicle from a dealer in California or the Phoenix, Arizona area
3. They verify their purchase at Hyundai Student Assurance Center using the Reward Code and VIN
4. The customer then receives an email from Gradifi with instructions to create an account and register their student loan for verification
5. Upon the loan being verified the customer will receive up to a $900 contribution directly to their student loan debt
Hyundai has a long history of having its customers’ backs and responding to cultural or economic factors that are impacting the car industry through its Hyundai Assurance program which consists of Shopper and Owner Assurance (America’s Best Warranty, Road-Side assistance, Blue Link Connected Care and Car Care). Past examples include the innovative job loss protection program during the recession, a trade-in value guarantee and many others that demonstrated Hyundai’s dedication to making things better for its customers. There is no company better suited to introduce a program that will help customers relieve not only one of the top stressors in America, but also one of the top reasons why people hold off purchasing a new car.

Better Idea Generator
Student Assurance is a result of Hyundai’s internal innovation contest, the Better Idea Generator (BIG) that was launched in late 2017. The Better Idea Generator enables Hyundai associates at all levels of the organization to develop and pitch new and innovative ideas. The overall goal of the program is to make innovation inherent throughout the company regardless of seniority or area of responsibility.
Student Assurance was one of 118 ideas that were submitted. To qualify as a BIG idea, the idea must have met at least one of the following conditions: increase sales, provide new revenue, improve quality, enhance the product, and/or improve efficiency. After being reviewed by an expert panel of Hyundai senior leaders, Student Assurance founders Samantha Recchia, an associate in Public Relations and Martha Mejia, an assistant manager in Quality Data Analytics, developed a business plan and presented Student Assurance to the executive team. It was then approved to proceed to the R&D phase for testing and validation, ultimately leading to the pilot program now available.
“It’s a great feeling to work for a company that encourages new ideas from employees at all levels,” said Recchia. “Developing an idea that revolved around alleviating student debt was the first thing that came to mind when I heard about the Better Idea Generator. Martha and I were determined to come up with a solution that would directly impact the pay down of someone’s student loan. Our partner, Gradifi, modified its traditional business model of employee contributions and helped us make the program a reality.”

“It has been a pleasure to lead the launch of an industry-first program that is aimed at helping peers my age with this debt crisis,” said Mejia. “I am humbled by the opportunity that Hyundai has given me to bring forth an idea that has such personal relevance in my own life.”