Hyundai’s Production Reaches 6 Lakh Units In 2010
Hyundai Motor India was the 1st automobile company who challenged Maruti Suzuki dominance in the country with the launch of small car Santro twelve years back. Hyundai India is the 2nd largest car manufacturer in the country and in november they reached a historic milestone selling 200000 cars in Indian market.
On the occasion, H W Park, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “Today is one of the landmark days in the history of our company. Achieving this milestone is a testament to the growing popularity of Hyundai as a brand and immense faith that our customers have placed in us. With this we gear up for next phase of growth and remain committed in bringing world class products and service to our consumers. ” The 1st Hyundai Santro rolled out in September, 1998. Right from the beginning Hyundai Motor India Limited has always been the trend-setter. From the record of setting up the plant in just seventeen months to becoming the 2nd largest car manufacturer in just six months to rolling out 150000 cars in about 25 months, Hyundai Motor India Limited becomes only the 2nd manufacturer in India to have achieved this distinction. It was also the fastest to reach the sales mark of 20 lakh units in the domestic market. Hyundai India set a record of producing six Lakh cars in 2010. It achieved this record for the 1st time since its operation in India.
Hyundai Motor India Production touches 6 Lakh units in 2010
Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), the second largest car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter, today achieved a historic milestone by reaching the production of 6 Lakh units, the highest since inception in a calendar year. On the occasion, H. W. Park, Managing Director & CEO, HMIL, said, “Today is one of the landmark days in the history of our company. Achieving this milestone is a testament to the rising popularity of Hyundai India as a product and immense trust that our customers have placed in us. With this we gear up for next phase of growth and remain dedicated in bringing world class products and service to our customers. ” HMIL is the only Indian manufacturer to present a full variety starting from the compact Santro to the top end luxury SUV – Santa Fe and enjoys a market share of around 20%. HMIL sells 7 models with 47 variants in the Indian market. It currently exports roughly 42% of its production to around 120 countries across the globe with i10 being the largest exported model.
HMIL started operation in 1996 and the first Santro rolled out in September, 1998. Right from the beginning HMIL has always been the trend-setter. From the record of setting up the plant in just 17 months to becoming the 2nd largest automobile manufacturer in just 6 months to rolling out 150,000 cars in about 25 months, Hyundai has satisfied everybody’s expectations. Popular Cars by Hyundai are Hyundai Accent Eco, Hyundai i20 1.2 Kappa, Hyundai Sonata Transform and Hyundai Getz Prime etc. In August, 2010 Hyundai Motor achieved the extraordinary distinction of reaching the 30 lakh car production in a record time of less than 12 years. With this achievement, HMIL becomes only the second manufacturer in India to have achieved this distinction. It was also the best to reach the sales mark of 20 lakh (2 million) units in the domestic market in November, 2010.
Hyundai Sonata Sales Top 200.000 units in 2010
The year is not over just yet, but Hyundai has already sold more than 200.000 units of its all-new Sonata sedan, a new record for the model. According to Hyundai Motor America, sales of its popular mid-size sedan in the States reached 180.659 at the end of November and broke the 200.000 mark on previous Thursday.
Hyundai Motor America last broke the 200.000 units milestone with a single model in the U.S. market 22 years ago, when it sold 261.782 Excels in 1988. The Excel sold for around $5.000 at that time. John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO, admits that Sonata has delivered some pretty incredible results for the brand. It has also helped the brand to move its sales past 500.000 units in the 2010.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has, so far, received a large number of awards from most renowned brands in the automobile industry. Those include the Top Safety Pick award by U.S. IIHS, “Ten Best Cars for 2011″ by Car and Driver, Number One Vehicle Under $50.000 by Thecarconnection.com and “Best Buy” from Consumers Digest Magazine. It was also named one of the three finalists for the 2011 North American Car of the Year!
Hyundai to set-up new diesel engine manufacturing plant in India
The Indian unit of Korean auto giant Hyundai Motors announced on Monday that it will set-up a new diesel engine manufacturing plant in the Indian market with an investment of over Rs 400 crore over the period of next three years. The new plant will be having an annual manufacturing capacity of 1.5 lakh units. The plant will go on stream by the end of year 2013. According to a declaration given by Hyundai India Managing Director and CEO Han Woo Park to PTI, "The feasibility study for the diesel engine plant has been finished and we will announce the location in the next few months. The plant is proposed to have an annual installed capacity of 1.5 lakh units." Hyundai India will produce three different types of engines at this prospective plant comprising of 1.1L, 1.4L and 1.6L engines.
All of these engines will be produced for domestic market only. At present, the company imports the diesel engines for its cars like Hyundai i20 and Verna from Korea. Moreover, the company is also planning to enhance its vehicle manufacturing capacity to 6.7 lakh units from existing capacity of 6.3 lakh units, by next year. It is also planning to launch three new cars in the country by next year with a new 800CC small car.
New Five-Door Hyundai Verna Debuts in China
Hyundai has revealed the new 5 door Verna at Guangzhou Show in China. The 5 door Hyundai Verna comes with 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter Gamma engines. The 1st one packs 108 hp and 135.4 Nm of torque, and the 2nd one 124 hp and 155 Nm of torque. The Chinese market Hyundai Verna will be built at a local plant in Beijing.
Hyundai cars india is planning to launch new 2011 Verna in india next year. Hyundai has high hopes in China and expects to sell around 700,000 units 2010. By 2012, Hyundai will have a capacity to build one million vehicles a year in China for the local market.
Hyundai Tucson ix Hydrogen Fuel-Cell EV
Hyundai has completed development of its next- generation hydrogen fuel cell car — the Hyundai Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle. Hyundai’s 3rd-generation FCEV is equipped with a 100-kilowatt fuel cell system and two hydrogen storage tanks (700bar). The Sport Utility Vehicle can travel 650 kilometers on a single charge – a range equal to a gasoline-powered car. It can start in temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius. The Hyundai Tucson ix FCEV’s range is a 76% improvement over the 2nd generation Tucson FCEV, which was limited to 370 km on one charge. The new model gets gasoline equivalent fuel efficiency of 31 km per liter, a 15% improvement over the previous version.
More than 95% of the Tucson ix FCEV’s major components were made with Korean technology through close collaboration with about 120 domestic auto parts manufacturers. Overall volume of the fuel cell system was downsized by 20% compared to the last system via modularization of bulky parts in the fuel cell system including fuel cell stack, balance of plant, inverter and high voltage junction box. Hyundai cars india is planning to launch new 2011 Hyundai Tucson ix in india next year. Hyundai plans to make a limited supply of the Tucson ix FCEV in 2012 and begin mass production in 2015.
{Source: Globalmotors}
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid priced from $25,795
Hyundai’s all-new Sonata Hybrid, featuring Hybrid Blue Drive technology and lithium-polymer batteries will come in just two flavors from the factory priced from $25,795, and $30,795 for the premium version plus $750 freight charge. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid delivers a 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating, higher than any other mid-size sedan, hybrid or non-hybrid. In city driving, Sonata Hybrid delivers 35 mpg, yielding a 37 mpg combined city/highway rating from the EPA. The drag coefficient for the Sonata Hybrid is the lowest in the industry at just 0.25, which is more slippery than most sports cars including the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (0.34) and the 2011 Nissan GT-R (0.27).
SONATA HYBRID KEY FEATURES
* 2.4L Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder hybrid engine
* Hybrid starter-generator (HSG)
* Permanent magnet high-power density motor
* 270V lithium polymer battery
* 6-speed automatic transmission
* Electronic stability control with traction control system
* ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist
* Front active head restraints
* Front, front seat side and curtain airbags
* 16-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels
* Headlight LED accents
* LED taillights
* Front fog lights
* Side mirror-mounted turn signal indicators
* Unique, tinted chrome front grille
* Bodyside molding tinted chrome inserts
* Chrome window belt-line moldings
* Chrome exterior door handles
* Proximity entry with push-button start
* Remote keyless entry, alarm and immobilizer
* Electroluminescent instrument cluster (Supervision)
* 4.2-inch TFT multi-function trip computer with hybrid technology display
* Dual automatic temperature control
* Floor console mounted rear vents
* Power driver seat with lumbar support
* Chrome interior door handles
* Leatherette interior door panel inserts
* Tilt & telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio controls
* Metalgrain interior accents
* AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 with iPod/USB & Aux input jacks
* Power windows, locks, heated mirrors
* Integrated Bluetooth with phonebook transfer
* Automatic light control
* Solar control glass
HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID PREMIUM PACKAGE ADDS THESE FEATURES
* Panoramic sunroof with tilt & slide
* 17-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels with unique finish
* Navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display
* Rear backup camera
* Infinity premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier (400-watt)
* HD Radio Technology with multicasting
* Leather seating surfaces with heated front seats and rear seat bottom cushions
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift knob
* Auto-dimming mirror / HomeLink / compass
* Premium door sill plates
* Glossy black door surround and outside mirror housing.
The ability to easily slip through the air combined with low rolling resistance tires, along with the sophisticated Hybrid Blue Drive powertrain with engine decoupling, significantly reduces the amount of energy required to maintain highway speeds, resulting in the remarkable highway fuel efficiency of the Sonata Hybrid, the best of any mid-size hybrid sedan in the market.
Hyundai Motor America sales 500,000 units in same year
Hyundai Motor America made its 500,000th sale within the same year for the very first time. Bettering its previous best of 467,009 sales in 2007, Hyundai India is targeting to sell over 530,000 vehicles in 2010. Stepping into 2011, which will be the 25th year of Hyundai in North America, acquiring nearly 5 percent of market share complimented by selling half a million vehicles comes as a great morale booster. Elated at this success, Dave Zuchowski, executive VP Sales, was quoted saying that “Hyundai‘s sales continue to climb as more consumers become aware of our great products, high quality, the industry’s best warranty, and improving dealership experience.” One major reason accredited for these numbers is the 2011 Sonata which was launched earlier this year; the standout design of this family size sedan which gives 35 miles to the gallon on the highway comes in a four-cylinder turbo or a hybrid option.
Proclaimed as “2010 Automobile All-Star” by the Automobile magazine, Hyundai New Sonata sales have risen 64 percent from last November. Adding to the enviable sales figures is the new Tuscon crossover whose sales have skyrocketed 145 percent this year, the Genesis with an increase in sales by 37% and the Elantra car which boasts of a 22% increase. Zuchowski spoke positively about the future saying, Hyundai expect the sales momentum to continue as the company heads into the New Year with models like the all-new 2011 Elantra, the first of four planned 40-mpg Hyundai vehicles in the U.S. line-up, and premium luxury sedan, Equus, just now starting to roll into showrooms.
Dave also said the future looks bright, largely due to Hyundai’s product renaissance. His projections seem to be spot on with the newly arrived next year Elantra which is flying out of Hyundai dealerships. Hyundai has set itself a target to be the first to achieve a CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) of 50 miles to the gallon by the year 2025; this will be for passenger cars and light duty trucks. Given Hyundai’s top notch quality and extensive research capabilities, this seems to be an achievable goal for one of the world’s leading car manufacturer.
Hyundai-Kia to use dual-clutch gearbox, CVT from 2011
The dual-clutch gearbox, popularised by Volkswagen and adopted by the likes of Ford, Volvo, BMW and Porsche today, will discover its way into Hyundai-Kia vehicles from next year. First out with be a six-speed component followed by a seven speeder, supplied via Germany’s LUK and branded as Parallel Shift Gearbox (PSG). Like VW’s DSG, PSG has two processor operated clutches, one handling even gears and the other odd gears. Compared to a torque converter automatic, shift speed and efficiency are improved, but it’s the latter Hyundai is chasing after.
“To improve our fuel economy, we are forcefully trying to apply various technologies,” Dr Woong-chul Yang, president of Hyundai-Kia’s R&D division said. The “various tech” mentioned includes the continuously variable transmissions (CVT), which will be introduced in smaller models to increase mileage. In the US, Hyundai has announced plans to lift its corporate standard fuel economy rating to 50 mpg (17.7 km/l) by 2025. Four upcoming models including the new Elantra (Avante for us) will get at least 40 mpg or 14.2 km/l on the highway. Transmissions are input but other events include direct-injection engines, turbochargers and hybrid tech. Reports from Australia say that the recipients of the PSG will contain the ix35 and i45, which we know as the Tucson and Sonata respectively.
Hyundai Motor Signs MoU with Allahabad Bank
Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), the second largest car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter, in an initiative to provide convenient finance options for its customers, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Allahabad Bank, a leading public sector bank in the country. The MoU was signed by Mr. Arvind Saxena, Director, Marketing & Sales, HMIL and Mr. Bibhas Kumar Srivastav, General Manager, Retail Banking, Allahabad Bank on behalf of their respective organizations.
Allahabad Bank, with its headquarters in Kolkata, has 2,364 branches and more than 200 ATMs across the country. It offers vast and varied services to ensure seamless banking for its customers. This strategic alliance will help both the partners to leverage their individual strengths and reach out to a wider market and make auto loans available for prospective car buyers on easier terms. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Arvind Saxena, Director, Marketing and Sales, Hyundai India Limited, said, “We are very happy to announce this partnership with Allahabad Bank. This partnership will provide our customers with competitive rates and convenient finance options at locations where the bank has branches. As we are rapidly increasing our sales network, this tie up will further help us to reach a wider base of customers, increase penetration in tier II & III cities in terms of our products and the finance options available.”
As part of the agreement, both HMIL dealers and the bank will utilise their respective customer databases for growing their car loan business. The tie-up is extended to cover financing options by all the branches of the bank in India. Both the partners will utilize and leverage each other’s strengths to sell Hyundai vehicles along with the bank’s car loan products. HMIL currently has a 307 strong dealer network and 627 strong service points across India, which will see further expansion in 2011.