FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 30, 2019 – Popular Mechanics honored the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT with a feature on its “Best Compact Cars” list. Based on the i30 model designed for the European market, Popular Mechanics editors highlighted Hyundai’s attention to handling in its latest models, noting that the Elantra GT’s chassis was developed on the Nürburgring.
The 2018 Elantra GT brings an 8 percent increase in cargo capacity versus the prior generation. It is one of only a few hatchbacks classified by the EPA as a Large Car due to total interior volume eclipsing 120 cubic feet. In fact, Elantra GT has more cargo volume than other hatchbacks such as the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf and Toyota Corolla iM. Elantra GT is also a sporty alternative to small CUVs. Elantra GT with the rear seats folded down has more cargo capacity than the Toyota CH-R, Mazda CX-3, Chevrolet Trax and Jeep Renegade.
Hyundai is honored with Greenest Vehicle award for Ioniq EV, Ioniq Blue, and Kona EV
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 24, 2019 – The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric, Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Blue and Hyundai Kona Electric were named to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) list of “Greenest Vehicles of 2019.” In the growing, competitive green vehicle segment, the Hyundai vehicle’s life-time environmental impact was analyzed by ACEEE, scoring among a select group of standouts.
“Hyundai’s global strategy offers a variety of green options for a diverse group of drivers. Gone are the days a green vehicle means sacrifice. We have cars and SUVs that are more capable than ever meeting the needs of a large and growing group of drivers who require highly efficient, low-emissions vehicles for daily use,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “We are proud to have several vehicles, the most from any manufacturer to make such a prominent list in the competitive green vehicle segment.”
The 2019 Greenest Vehicles list specifies the 10 most environmentally-friendly nameplates available to consumers this model year. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric earned a Green Score of 67, the highest on this year’s rankings. The Ioniq Hybrid Blue scored second highest with a 65 Green Score and the Hyundai Kona Electric scored 63. Only the top-scoring configuration of each nameplate is included in this list. Scores are from a life-cycle analysis taking into account emissions from driving, manufacturing, and eventual recycling of the vehicles.
The Ioniq eco-focused vehicle is the first in the world to offer three distinct electrified powertrains on a single, dedicated vehicle platform. Hyundai’s approach for the Ioniq line delivers an uncompromising design and driving experience coupled with the latest in safety and convenience technologies, making it an appealing choice for a wide range of buyers.
Kona was developed with a focus on enhanced driving dynamics and responsive performance for a variety of urban and multi-surface driving conditions. Kona Electric’s estimated range is an impressive 258 miles and offers standard fast-charging capability, a feature for which many competitors charge extra. The Kona Electric platform has been developed to give customers CUV-like ground clearance and an elevated, command seating position to provide better visibility and comfort on long journeys, as well as easy ingress and egress.
AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT ECONOMY The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. We believe that the United States can harness the full potential of energy efficiency to achieve greater economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection for all its people.
DETROIT, Jan. 25, 2019 – The Detroit News awarded the Hyundai Sonata the Readers’ Choice Award in the “Most for Your Money” category at its 15th annual Readers’ Choice Awards ceremony held during the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan.
“Hyundai is particularly pleased with The Detroit News Readers’ Choice Award as it acknowledges consumer preferences and reinforces the significance of the sedan market,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The Hyundai Sonata offers consumers stylish design, a suite of advanced safety technology and user-friendly features, at an affordable price point.”
The Detroit News produces the annual Readers’ Choice Awards. One hundred Detroit News readers selected their best of the best at NAIAS after touring the show before it opened to the public.
The Sonata offers a bold, distinctive design, technologies and advanced safety features. From a technology standpoint, the Sonata comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Qi wireless phone charging and heated steering wheel is available. Standard safety features include Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Additionally, the 2019 Hyundai Sonata with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights was awarded the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+. The Sonata is backed by America’s Best Warranty.
The Texas Motor Press Association (TxMPA) is the newly formed press association gathering informed journalists representing the Texas automotive industry
The inaugural awards recognized the Hyundai Kona as the top CUV in Texas
HOUSTON, TX., Jan. 23, 2019 – – The Hyundai Kona was named the 2019 Crossover of the Year by the Texas Motor Press Association (TxMPA), which includes automotive journalists as diverse in coverage and membership as the state itself. A selected group of jurors from TxMPA chose the Hyundai Kona after being charged with finding, not just the best new or significantly refreshed vehicles on the market by Nov. 1, 2018, but the ones that are also best for Texans. The TxMPA Vehicle of the Year Awards were presented today during the Houston Auto Show at the NRG Center.
“We are highly honored to receive this distinguished recognition awarded to the Hyundai Kona as the 2019 Crossover of the Year in the great state of Texas,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Kona is a stylish and functional compact CUV, tailored to the needs of customers who pursue active lifestyles in a variety of terrains. It’s setting new standards for its segment, with appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading available safety features at an affordable price. Receiving this award from the Texas Motor Press Association validates that we are meeting both the practical and lifestyle needs of Texans.”
Adds Michael Herzing, President, TxMPA, “The Texas Motor Press Association is proud to recognize the top contenders in the automotive industry in terms of new vehicle innovation, drivability, and design with the Texas Vehicle of the Year Awards. Jurors spent thousands of hours in 2018 test driving the newest vehicles on the market to help them cast informed votes. The Hyundai Kona was selected Texas Crossover of the Year for its enhanced driving dynamics and responsive performance for a variety of urban and multi-surface driving conditions.”
This year’s TxMPA jury consisted of members of the automotive press who have a significant audience in Texas: Michael Herzing (SB Nation Radio), David Stall (KCBQ), Nicole Wakelin (freelance including Autobytel and BestRide), Chad Kirchner (freelance including AutoGuide.com, The Drive, The Truth About Cars), Alexander Dykes (Alex on Autos), Michael Garfield (High Tech Texan/KPRC/iHeartRadio), Alan Gell (KBFC-FM, Focus Daily News), William Owney (motorcarsnow.com), Gregory Riley (Let’s Talk Wheels, Old Cars Weekly), Steve Smirnis (Estate Life Magazines), Adam Moore (TXGarage.com), Matt Perrault (SB Nation Radio), Jerry Perez (The Drive), Manuel Carrillo (Roadshow by CNET) and Eileen Falkenberg-Hull (Trucks.com, American City Business Journals, U.S. News & World Report).
The Hyundai Kona is built on an all-new CUV platform, offering versatility to consumers with active lifestyles of all kinds. For the 2019 model year, Kona’s safety equation is enhanced by standardizing key Hyundai SmartSense™ safety technologies for a more sophisticated driving experience.
TEXAS MOTOR PRESS ASSOCIATION Texas Motor Press Association (TxMPA) is a registered 501(c)3 organization that is focused on bringing together automotive industry professionals to create informed content highlighting various facets of the industry in ways that register with a Texas-based audience and beyond. The membership is made up of automotive industry journalists that cover cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, and UTVs in a variety of media as well as professionals that represent corporate interests in the automotive community. TxMPA members represent the best of the Texas automotive industry. Media members have engaged, interested, enthusiastic, and influential audiences that span the media landscape. The membership is as diverse in coverage and membership as the state itself.
New airbag system offers additional protection in secondary impacts
30 percent of all accidents involve a secondary impact according to data from NHTSA
Future Hyundai and Kia vehicles will receive state-of-the-art airbag technology to
improve driver safety and reduce injuries in multi-collision accidents
SEOUL, JAN. 23, 2019 Hyundai Motor Group announced the development and future commercialization of the world’s first multi-collision airbag system that significantly improves airbag performance in multi-collision accidents. Multi-collision accidents are those in which the primary impact is followed by collisions with secondary objects, such as trees, electrical posts or other vehicles, which occurs in three out of every 10 accidents.
Current airbag systems do not offer secondary protection when the initial impact is insufficient to cause them to deploy. However, the multi-collision airbag system allows airbags to deploy effectively upon a secondary impact by calibrating the status of the vehicle and the occupants.
Hyundai’s new technology detects occupant position in the cabin following an initial collision. When occupants are forced into unusual positions, the effectiveness of existing safety technology may be compromised. Multi-collision airbag systems are designed to deploy even faster when initial safety systems may not be effective, providing additional safety when drivers and passengers are most vulnerable. By recalibrating the collision intensity required for deployment, the airbag system responds more promptly during the secondary impact, thereby improving the safety of multi-collision vehicle occupants.
“By improving airbag performance in multi-collision scenarios, we expect to significantly improve the safety of our drivers and passengers,” said Taesoo Chi, head of Chassis Technology Center at Hyundai Motor Group. “We will continue our research on more diverse crash situations as part of our commitment to producing even safer vehicles that protect occupants and prevent injuries.”
According to statistics by the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS), an office of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in U.S., about 30 percent of 56,000 vehicle accidents from 2000 to 2012 in the North American region involved multi-collisions*.
The leading type of multi-collision accidents involved cars crossing over the center line (30.8 percent), followed by collisions caused by a sudden stop at highway tollgates (13.5 percent), highway median strip collisions (8.0 percent), and sideswiping and collision with trees and electric poles (4.0 percent).
Hyundai Motor Group analyzed multi-collision scenarios in multilateral ways to improve airbag performance and precision in secondary collisions.
Hyundai Motor Group will implement the system in new Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the future.
DETROIT, Jan. 16, 2019 – Car and Driver today named the 2019 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV models the Best Subcompact SUV as part of its 2019 10Best Trucks and SUVs awards in events surrounding the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The award marks the first time that a Hyundai CUV model has been named to Car and Driver's 10Best Trucks and SUVs list.
"We are thrilled the editors of Car and Driver recognized the Kona and Kona Electric models as CUVs worthy of their highest recommendation," said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Kona is an affordable, stylish and functional compact CUV, tailored to the needs of customers who pursue active lifestyles of all kinds. Even more, Car and Driver is both highly discerning and selective, so their recognition of Kona as a 10Best winner is certainly a strong indicator of Kona product line excellence.”
From left to right: David VanderWerp, Deputy Online Editor, Car and Driver; Brian Smith, COO, Hyundai Motor America and Mike O’Brien, Vice President, Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America.
KONA AND KONA ELECTRIC MODELS
Both the Kona and Kona Electric are built on all-new CUV platforms, offering versatility to consumers. Kona was developed with a focus on enhanced driving dynamics and responsive performance for a variety of urban and multi-surface driving conditions. Kona Electric’s estimated range is an impressive 258 miles and offers standard fast-charging capability, a feature for which many competitors charge extra. The Kona Electric platform has been developed to give customers CUV-like ground clearance and an elevated, command seating position to provide better visibility and comfort on long journeys, as well as easy ingress and egress.
In choosing the Kona above the rest of the subcompact field, Car and Driver said, “Inside, though, it’s conventionally attractive and comfortable, with lowest-bidder plastics—universal in this class—balanced by satisfying touch points. And like its stablemates, this Hyundai is a textbook example of functional touchscreen ergonomics, with every control exactly where you’d expect it to be.” They also noted that “In the subcompact segment, the competition sets a low bar. But where mere goodness would suffice, the Kona is excellent. It is proof that not all crossovers are equal.”
CAR AND DRIVER 10BEST
Car and Driver 10Best is a list annually produced by Car and Driver, nominating what it considers the ten best cars of the year. Car and Driver also annually produces the 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, highlighting what it considers the ten best vehicles from the combined truck and SUV category.
Extends Hyundai Capital Auto Loan and Lease Payments for 30 Days During the Government Shutdown for Impacted Federal Government Employees
DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2019 – Hyundai has a long history of providing customers peace of mind through its Assurance program, and like it did in 2013, is launching a government shutdown payment relief program aimed at helping federal employees furloughed during the government shutdown. Under the plan, Hyundai will extend all Hyundai Capital auto loan and lease payments for 30 days for current Hyundai owners who are federal government employees furloughed during the shutdown. Impacted consumers should contact Hyundai Motor Finance at 1-800-523-4030 to take advantage of this offer
“We recognize that there are many federal employees who are Hyundai owners and are not receiving their normal pay check,” said Brian Smith, COO, Hyundai Motor America. “Hyundai is a brand that aims to make things better for its customers and this is our way of showing customers ‘we have your back’ during this uncertain time.”
It is estimated that more than 800,000 workers are not getting paid during the shutdown. The government shutdown payment relief program is aimed at helping workers at a time when they most need it. The program is available to federal government employees who have financed their purchase or lease through Hyundai Motor Finance.
DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2019 – The 2019 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV models were together named the winner of the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year automotive media jury. This is the first time that a Hyundai CUV model has won the Utility Vehicle of the Year category. The winner of the CUV category is announced every year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our innovative new Kona and Kona Electric crossover winning the prestigious North American Utility Vehicle of the Year,” said Brian Smith, chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America. “Kona is an affordable, stylish and functional compact CUV, tailored to the needs of customers who pursue active lifestyles of all kinds. It’s setting new standards for its segment, with appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading available safety features. We know our customers are going to agree with the top media confirming this impressive award.”
The 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year jury is made up of an independent panel of top journalists and analysts based in the United States and Canada. Since 1994, the organization has recognized top cars, trucks, and utility vehicles. This year's jury of 54 media outlets includes legacy newspapers, magazine experts, broadcast veterans, digital columnists and freelance media.
William Lee (right), president & CEO, Hyundai North America and Brian Smith (left), chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America, celebrate after the 2019 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV models win the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year™ awarded by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year automotive media jury. This is the first time that a Hyundai CUV model has won the Utility Vehicle of the Year category. The winner of the CUV category is announced every year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year jury is made up of an independent panel of top journalists and analysts based in the United States and Canada. Since 1994, the organization has recognized top cars, trucks, and utility vehicles. This year's jury of 54 media outlets includes legacy newspapers, magazine experts, broadcast veterans, digital columnists and freelance media.
Both the Kona and Kona Electric are built on all-new CUV platforms, offering versatility to consumers with active lifestyles of all kinds. Kona was developed with a focus on enhanced driving dynamics and responsive performance for a variety of urban and multi-surface driving conditions. Kona Electric’s estimated range is an impressive 258 miles and offers standard fast-charging capability, a feature for which many competitors charge extra. The Kona Electric platform has been developed to give customers CUV-like ground clearance and an elevated, command seating position to provide better visibility and comfort on long journeys, as well as easy ingress and egress.
The technology delivers true ‘freedom of mobility’ by providing hearing-impaired people with a safe and comfortable driving experience
A heart-warming campaign video illustrates the possibilities for automobiles to help hearing-impaired drivers interact with their external environment
SEOUL, Jan. 10, 2018 — Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) revealed a new innovative technology that assists hearing-impaired drivers.
Hearing-impaired drivers are dependent mainly on their sight and touch senses. HMG created a way of communication for hearing impaired people that incorporates both internal and external sounds through tactile and visual means, thereby expanding freedom of mobility to all drivers regardless of their physical limitations.
The technology utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze the external sound patterns and employs two separate driving assist systems that work together simultaneously – the Audio-Visual Conversion (AVC) and Audio-Tactile Conversion (ATC), to help hearing-impaired drivers who have an acute, highly developed sense of touch and attuned visual capabilities.
The AVC allows for safer driving, by enabling communication with the external environment through visual portrayals of sound patterns, such as warning sounds of emergency vehicles, as pictograms on the head-up display (HUD). The steering wheel is also equipped with multi-colored LEDs which indicate navigational information while driving.
The ATC transfers the sound data into vibrations through the steering wheel, notifying the driver of information about external environments such as distance from obstacles.
HMG, demonstrating the technology, has revealed a campaign video called ‘Quiet Taxi’ that aspires to give hope to drivers with impaired hearing.
Starting with an open invitation, stories were sent in by people from all over the country, and HMG chose Daeho Lee, as Seoul’s first ever, designated hearing-impaired taxi driver to showcase the driving assist technology.
Mr. Lee, a hearing-impaired father of two children who recently began a new career as a taxi driver, had difficulties with hearing and had to rely mainly on his sight. Problems arose with other drivers on the road when he could not hear the horns or sirens of surrounding vehicles. Additionally, he needed to constantly rely on his vision, which caused fatigue at a rate many times that of the average driver.
The campaign video, along with the technology itself, will emphasize the value of ‘freedom of mobility,’ demonstrating Hyundai’s efforts to enable the hearing-impaired to drive freely and safely using state-of-the-art innovative developments. As part of its goal, Hyundai also developed an application that enables communication between passengers and drivers who are hearing-impaired.
The campaign video, along with the technology itself, will emphasize the value of ‘freedom of mobility,’ demonstrating Hyundai’s efforts to enable the hearing-impaired to drive freely and safely using state-of-the-art innovative developments. As part of its goal, Hyundai also developed an application that enables communication between passengers and drivers who are hearing-impaired.
The entire process of the ‘Quiet Taxi’ was filmed in a documentary-style video that can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/yzgNQxYboBY
Hyundai Motor Group reveals the ‘Quiet Taxi’, a video campaign featuring a new technology idea developed by the company’s researchers.
