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.
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.
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.
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.
Are you awake yet from last-night’s Christmas feast and gift giving?
- December 26
- , 2011
Gary, Jack and all of our employees would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday. We will be closed Sunday and Monday.
- December 24
- , 2011
What would you do if you were waiting at the cash register at your local drug store and your cashier said you… http://t.co/OjMhLXVt
- December 23
- , 2011
Hyundai Assurance— The Gift that keeps on giving http://t.co/z3jjfZGm
- December 17
- , 2011
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
| 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.
- December 15
- , 2011
Click on the link to find out more information:… http://t.co/GaOMP1Td
- November 30
- , 2011
