- Hyundai’s sixth-generation Sonata encompasses new `fluidic sculpture’ design philosophy

- Features 2.0 Theta II MPi engine, 6-speed automatic transmission

(Note: All specifications and details in this release are based on the Korean domestic model)

(Seoul, Korea) Hyundai Motor Company’s all-new Sonata, being introduced today, is expected to shake up the world’s mid-size sedan market with its daring design.

The 2010 Sonata adopts Hyundais new “fluidic sculpture” design language, boasts outstanding performance with the segment-leading safety features and fuel efficiency. Incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, the new Sonata will further elevate the Hyundai brand.

“The Sonata will set a new standard for world class mid-size sedans with state-of-the-art technology, superior build quality and emotional design,” Euisun Chung, Hyundai’s Vice Chairman said at the launching ceremony for the car today in Seoul. “The new Sonata will raise Hyundai’s brand values.”

The ceremony, held at a trendy riverside cafe, was attended by more than 200 VIPs, company executives and media members.

Sonata has been the perennial best-seller in Korea since the first generation model was launched in 1985. The sixth-generation Sonata will continue this successful tradition with impeccable quality seen today in other Hyundai premium models, such as the Genesis and EQUUS.

Hyundai began developing the new Sonata in 2005 under the codename YF (Note: The car may be launched under a different name in some regions). The project took 4 years and 450 billion won (US$ 372 million*) to go from concept to customer.

Although it is a completely new vehicle, Hyundai is retaining the Sonata name as the mid-size car has been Korea’s most popular sedan. Applying a new design aesthetic of “fluidic sculpture,” the 2010 Sonata pursues a younger and sensuous image in its interior and exterior profiles. Inspired by nature, the “fluidic sculpture” tries to reflect sophistication and dynamism in the shape of the vehicle and will serve as the core of Hyundai’s future design identity.

The outer design of the new Sonata exudes a voluminous look that creates character through the refined and harmonized lines. The interior has a dynamic look that matches the exterior while not compromising comfort or convenience. The Sonata is available in nine exterior colors, from Remington Red to Blue Black to Espresso, satisfying the diverse tastes of younger customers.

The new Sonata delivers powerful performance through its 2-liter Theta II MPi gasoline engine (Max output 165ps, Max torque of 20.2?·m). Delivering the highest fuel economy in its segment at 12.8 kilometers per liter, fuel economy is more than 11% improved compared with today’s Sonata. Furthermore, all engines are offered with a new six-speed automatic transmission for heightened performance.

To meet the most stringent automotive safety and crash requirements, the Sonata is built with hot-stamped ultra high-strength steel while featuring six standard airbags.

In addition, safety has been upgraded with standard Vehicle Dynamic Control including Hill-start Assist Control and Brake Assist System functions?an industry first in this competitive segment.

The new Sonata comes with a three-piece panoramic sunroof, giving a sense of openness and freedom as well as a stylish look. The Parking Guide System (PGS) allows drivers to avoid obstacles during parallel parking or when driving in reverse. The Dimension premium sound system offers high-quality sound in three types of modes to satisfy customers’ wide-ranging musical tastes.

The Mozen system, a telematics service that debuted in 2003 in Korea, has evolved to become more sophisticated, offering more diverse and upgraded multi-media and IT functions. The newly applied Mozen Premium Wide Navigation system provides drivers with a faster communication service through the third-generation WCDMA wireless network. For two years, it also offers free safety services such as an SOS and anti-theft tracking service. The audio-visual functions have been upgraded with the 8-inch wide screen and JBL Premium Sound system.

In the new Sonata, Hyundai offers a wireless vehicle monitoring service?another industry first– through the Mozen Autocare service, linking the vehicle’s electronic control systems to a monitoring center. The center checks various components for errors, informs the driver of the analysis, and provides directions to nearby service centers, saving time for drivers.

Hyundai revealed it aims to sell 60.000 units of the 2011 Sonata sedan in its home, Korean market by the end of this year, while next year, Hyundai plans to double that number.

Hyundai will continue to produce Sonata at both of its overseas manufacturing plants, located in Alabama, US and China. Production of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata for the US market will begin early next year, while production in China will commence in the beginning of 2011. From that year, combined Korean and overseas production of new Sonata is expected to reach 450.000 units annually!

Pricing for the US-market Sonata will be revealed closer to its official US debut, scheduled for NAIAS 2010. In Korea, Sonata will be priced from 21.3 million Won (US$17.600) for a base 2.0L model and top out at 25.95 million Won (US$21,450) for a fully-loaded 2.0L model.

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) announced today that it sold 4,537 vehicles in Korea and exported 57,847 vehicles for total November sales of 62,384 vehicles.

GM Daewoo’s domestic vehicle sales in November decreased 56.9 percent from 10,531 vehicles sold in November 2007, while the automaker’s exports in November fell 24.7 percent from the 76,860 vehicles exported in the same month last year. In November, GM Daewoo also exported 61,795 complete knockdown (CKD) kits of parts and components to be assembled into vehicles.

November vehicle sales were greatly affected by the continued decrease in global demand for vehicles brought about by the international financial crisis. In addition, many automotive financing companies around the world continued to reduce their lending.

For the first 11 months as a whole, GM Daewoo’s domestic vehicle sales were down 5.6 percent to 110,815 vehicles from 117,368 vehicles in the same period last year. GM Daewoo’s vehicle exports in the first 11 months dropped 2.9 percent to 730,834 vehicles from the 752,366 vehicles exported in the same period last year.

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Six new Hyundai models will make their international debut at this year’s Paris “Mondial de l’automobile”, including the new five-door i20, the i20 blue and the Santa Fe blue Hybrid. Multimedia material available includes still images of the models and product info documents.

Introduction
With its fresh and head-turning styling, versatile interior, class-leading safety and engaging driver dynamics, the sparkling new i20 takes centre stage.

Designed and developed in Europe to meet the high expectations of European drivers, and benefiting from Hyundai’s unlimited mileage five-year warranty, the i20 arrives fully armed to succeed in Europe’s ultra-competitive supermini sector. Initially available as a five-door model, a sportier three-door i20 version will debut in January 2009.

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Kia Soul is a five-door hatchback with front-wheel drive, a high roofline and an unusually long wheelbase. Overall length is 4,105 mm with a 2,550 mm wheelbase. Overall height is 1,610 mm, the base of the windshield is 135 mm higher than a typical compact car, the hip-points are 120 mm higher and the ground clearance is raised by 45 mm.

Access to the new Kia Soul’s spacious interior is remarkably easy and the cabin will deliver head, leg and shoulder room that matches or exceeds many larger vehicles. Generous headroom (1020/1005 mm front/rear), legroom (1070/990 mm front/rear) and shoulder room (1403/1400 mm front/rear) will ensure that Soul can accommodate five large adults in genuine comfort.

Kia plans to sell 18,000 units of the new model, called Soul, by the end of the year, and will boost annual sales to 136,000 units from next year, the Seoul-based automaker said in a statement. Exports to Europe and the U.S. will begin in the first half of 2009, it said.

Chairman Chung Mong Koo is betting on new small autos to improve profitability at Kia after operating losses in the past two years. Kia this year began selling a revamped Morning minicar and Forte small car as consumers demand more fuel-efficient vehicles to cope with a 5.2 percent increase in South Korea’s gasoline prices since December.

The Soul is fitted with a 1.6-liter or 2-liter engine, both on petrol and diesel variants. It will sell for between 14 million won ($12,300) and 20.8 million won, the statement said.
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Korea will launch a large-scale joint government and civilian project to join the group of four leading countries that develop green (future-oriented environment-friendly) cars. Initially, Hyundai Motor, three domestic battery makers — Samsung SDI, LG Chem and SK Energy — the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, and the Korea Automotive Technology Institute will sign a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop lithium-ion batteries for plug-in hybrid cars at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul on Monday.

The government plans to provide a fund of W40 billion (US$1=W1,062), W8 billion each year for five years from the second half of this year on the project, while the companies will invest more than W1 trillion.

This is the first time that domestic conglomerates have formed an “alliance” to develop batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are expected to become the key power source for future hybrid electric cars. They are over twice as efficient, and cheaper to produce, than nickel-hydrogen batteries.

Following competition in the semiconductor and LCD markets, Korea and Japan now look likely to vie for market dominance of this next-generation growth engine.

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Renault Samsung Motors, the South Korean unit of France’s Renault SA, Monday unveiled the “QM5,’’ the automaker’s first sport utility vehicle (SUV) in an effort to boost domestic sales.

Equipped with a two-liter diesel engine outsourced from Renault, the vehicle boasts of a maximum 173hp, which is pretty good for such a modest displacement. A gasoline version QM5 with a 2.5-liter engine will be introduced early next year.

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NEW DELHI: After Spark, General Motors’ next small car in India may be the Chevy Beat. The company, which showcased three mini concepts in the New York Auto Show in April (the Trax, Groove and Beat), has indicated that it will commercially produce the Beat.

Sources say the small car, developed by GMDAT (GM Daewoo Auto & Technology) in Korea like the Spark, will target markets like India, China and Korea. The Beat goes into production in Korea in 2009.

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