Hyundai Motor is the 39th biggest brand in the WORLD

Hyundai is currently the fourth largest vehicle manufacturer in the world. Hyundai operates the world's largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility in Ulsan, South Korea, which has an annual production capacity of 1.6 million units. The company employs about 75,000 people worldwide. Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000 dealerships and showrooms. The company first started in 1967 as an assembler. It is now the 39th biggest brand in the world and the 7th biggest automobile brand in the world according to Interbrand.

 It built and designed its first car in 1975. In the 1980s it first started exporting cars to North America. In the 1990s Hyundai set up a plant in India and it is now its center for small car production. It is the 7th most notable car brand according to Interbrand and is worth USD$11.3Billion.

Makes you wonder how they've done so well in about 47 years (with a self designed car coming at least a decade later) compared to say a brand with 32years old. Maybe its time to look east again, but further north this time.

PRESS RELEASE
Hyundai Motor Reputation Once Again Acknowledged By Interbrand

October 5, 2015 – Hyundai Motor is the world’s 39th biggest brand according to new results just published by global brand specialists Interbrand. Recording an 8.5% growth in brand value since last year to $11.3bn, the Korean company is also the automotive industry’s seventh largest brand. Over the past decade Hyundai Motor has grown its value by more than $7bn, rising 36 places to sit among some of the biggest names on the planet.

Embarking on an intensive period of change, fuelled by inventive and emotional brand marketing, Hyundai Motor has boosted significantly its brand awareness with customers. Creating an enhanced profile across the areas of culture, sport, corporate social responsibility and through its new, high quality products, Hyundai Motor has advanced its caring outlook to connect with customers around the world.

Acknowledging the achievement, Mike Rocha, Global Brand Valuation Director, Interbrand said, “Despite a hyper-competitive environment, Hyundai has managed to enhance its global presence through a remarkable refinement of its products and brand spaces. Hyundai Motor's continuous commitment to providing an extraordinary customer experience at every opportunity is helping to position the global carmaker as a truly differentiated brand in many markets across the globe.”

Won Hong Cho, Chief Marketing Officer, Hyundai Motor said, “In 2015, our Modern Premium brand direction has become more visible, and even more exciting initiatives are soon to follow. Looking into the future, we see ourselves playing a central role in redefining mobility and shaping it with humanity at heart. To get there, we pledge to become a truly caring company, not just one people like for the cars it makes, but one that is beloved for what it stands for.”

Focusing on ultimate customer satisfaction through a caring approach, Hyundai Motor has recently digitalised its sales process and is exploring new ways to interact with customers to become a valued partner in their lives. Its design-driven, premium quality vehicles reflect the brand’s Modern Premium direction, while a new Global Dealer Space Identity ensures the brand experience is maximised at every stage in the customer journey.

Hyundai Motor rankings over past decade (Interbrand):
Year / Overall ranking / Brand value ($bn)
2015 39 11.3
2014 40 10.4
2013 43 9.0
2012 53 7.5
2011 61 6.0
2010 65 5.0
2009 69 4.6
2008 72 4.8
2007 72 4.5
2006 75 4.1

2015 automotive top 10
Year / Company / Brand value ($bn)
1 Toyota 49.0
2 BMW 37.2
3 Mercedes-Benz 36.7
4 Honda 22.9
5 VW 12.5
6 Ford 11.5
7 Hyundai 11.3
8 Audi 10.3
9 Nissan 9.0
10 Porsche 8.0

Interbrand’s rankings are calculated using companies’ financial balance sheets combined with marketing activities, while also reflecting each brand’s potential profit.

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Hyundai Tucson and Sonata Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Awards

In one of the American automotive industry’s most rigorous tests of vehicle safety, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson and 2016 Hyundai Sonata earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. This is the first time Tucson, which received a significant redesign for the 2016 model year, has received the highest honor from IIHS.

We currently get the Hyundai Sonata 2.0 and that is a mighty fine car to drive. It has been winning awards over in America and there is no doubt that it is a good D segment car for most of us to own. As for the all-new Tucson, I actually can't wait for it to reach Malaysian shores. The overall styling of the new Tucson apes its larger sibling, the Santa Fe. That is a well proportioned SUV. So this slightly smaller SUV now gets the same styling cues which I like. I dig those muscular wheel arches. If this new third generation Hyundai Tucson drives as well as the current crop of Hyundais sold here, then it will be something to look forward to.

PRESS RELEASE

Hyundai Tucson and Sonata Earn

IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Awards

-Hyundai Tucson and Sonata earned the Insurance Institute for Highway    Safety’s (IIHS) 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+

-First time Tucson receiving the highest honor from IIHS

October 1, 2015 - In one of the industry’s most rigorous tests of vehicle safety, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson and 2016 Sonata earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. This is the first time Tucson, which received a significant redesign for the 2016 model year, has received the highest honor from IIHS.

IIHS rates vehicles for occupant protection based on performance in five tests: moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints. Winners of the 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award must earn good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap front test. Vehicles also need an available front crash prevention system with an advanced or superior rating.

"Hyundai's redesign of the Tucson earns the 2016 model our top rating in the small overlap front test, and the Sonata retains its acceptable rating," said David Zuby, IIHS chief research officer. "Both vehicles have an available front crash prevention system that earns a superior rating in the IIHS autobrake test, a key criteria to qualify for a TOP SAFETY PICK+ award."

“Hyundai’s commitment to occupant safety is paramount throughout our entire lineup,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Corporate and Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “We strive to develop technologies that assist in avoiding crashes all together, like forward collision warning, lane departure warning and emergency brake assist, and are pleased the Tucson and Sonata have received these awards related to occupant protection when collisions do occur.”

Multiple advanced safety technology options are available on the 2016 Tucson, including AEB with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Backup Warning Sensors and a standard rearview camera. In addition, advanced high-strength steel represents over 50 percent of the new Tucson’s structure, for enhanced crash safety. The vehicle also features a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that alerts drivers if one or more tires are under-inflated, including the tire’s location.

Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Sonata lineup includes Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control System, seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, four-wheel disc brakes and ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with indicators for each tire. Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Smart Cruise Control with spot/start capability, Rear Parking Sensors, Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross-traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) are available as options.

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Road Test: 2015 Hyundai Elantra 1.6 A/T Elegance

Lots of people buy cars in the RM50,000-RM90,000 price range. This range includes a variety of cars ranging from small hatchbacks to small sized family sedans. The most popular would be the 4 door sedan. We Malaysians love cars with 4 doors and a boot. This car concept still holds true even though Perodua and other manufacturers have made inroads with popular small hatchbacks. But do note that you do see a large number of B segment sedans out there.

The thing with B segment sedans on sale right now is that they are mainly sedans based on B segment hatchbacks. This basically means a supermini sized car with a wheelbase of under 2,600mm most of the time and is also narrow. It usually means entry level fittings as it is obviously made to a price and designed to the category and price it needs to sell. Now usually if you buy a supermini, you have this amount of soundproofing, this amount of space and maybe this amount of engineering required and usually manufacturers, do to wanting to keep costs down give you this amount of car. This is why you do not get the amount of refinement, high speed performance and other good stuff you could get if you bought a larger C (small sized family car) or D (full sized car).  So whilst popular, those who bought B segment cars, or small sedans are paying less for more compromises.

So if you are one of those on a budget, a B segment car makes sense as it would have good fuel economy and is affordable to purchase. The top specced cars would have all the electronic equipment thrown in it - like SATNAV, blueteeth, USB ports, infotainment, some cow skin for seats and other perceived items of luxury. But you don't really get really good stuff like extra space, extra roadholding that comes from a longer wheelbase) and added soundproofing as well as other stuff that has to be engineered into the car during manufacturing. This is why a larger category car is always the better buy in terms of actual value for money. You want a better infotainment system? Buy one after market. 

This is where the 2015 Hyundai Elantra facelift comes in. I tested the Hyundai Elantra 1.6 A/T Elegance and it actually ticks all the correct boxes when it comes to affordable car ownership in Malaysia. It costs RM88,577.34 with insurance to buy and drive away. It is a C segment or small family sedan that you can buy for the price of a top of the range B segment sedan (like the smaller Toyota Vios and Honda City or that fugly Nissan Almera). 

It is a larger car. It has a 2,700mm wheelbase compared to many B segment cars which have a sub 2,600mm wheelbase. This means that there is more space between the front and rear wheels folks. This is the space required to fit the passenger cabin of a car and an extra 100mm in length actually makes ANY car a nicer place to be in. That longer wheelbase also translates to a comfortable ride too. And the boot is big too. 

Aside from the space, the interior is also made up of nicer to touch plastics. There is a soft touch dashboard instead of one with just hard plastics. The plastics used are well put together and feel like a C segment car. This Elantra, being a facelifted version gets better placed air vents in the middle that can now direct air to the rest of the cabin instead of blowing air to my fingers and hand. Hyundai has corrected this major flaw in the Elantra with this facelift. The seats which are of course manually adjustable gives decent support and I somehow find myself perched lower than when I drove the Elantra when it was first launched a few years back in Malaysia. So Hyundai has corrected the flaws in the cabin. Yay.

As for the driving experience, the engine, a 1.6liter 130ps/157Nm 4 cylinder engine coupled to a 6 speed automatic is actually smooth and provides ample performance. I think Hyundai has tweaked the power delivery of this facelifted model as it feels like it has more low down power than before. 0-100kmh is done in about 11.5seconds. This is about right for a 1.6liter C segment sedan and that 6 speed automatic is as good as the one fitted in the Sonata. It is smooth and has suitable gear ratios. It is willing to drop down two gears if you are in the mood for spirited driving.

The all round disc brakes is a nice thing to have at this price range. No drum brakes is always a plus point. Brakes feel good and easy to modulate. Cruising at around 140kmh is also pretty serene. That very aerodynamic looking shape allows the Elantra to be quiet at high speeds. There is very little wind noise even from the front A pillars of the car (Again, its that longer wheelbase - it allows a very aerodynamic design compared to smaller, B segment cars). 

The only real issues with this basic, entry level model is there is some slack and vagueness in the steering. I think it is because of the 16inch wheels and tyre combo. You cannot expect ride comfort and pin sharp handling from comfort spec 205/55/16 tyres. Good ride though. This fact was confirmed by a Mercedes Benz owner as well as my eleven year old daughter who said that the rear seats are comfortable enough for her (take her word for it as she has spent most of her life in the back seats of everything from an SUV, MPV, luxury sedans, airport limos, taxis and to hitching a ride in a tow truck). So personally, the Elantra 1.6 base model here is about very average in terms of driving pleasure. It does everything else very well though. I am also sure that handling is the furthest from the minds of families who want comfortable and decent transport.

Sure this car does not have all the bells and whistles of something fully specced like a nice infotainment system instead of a basic radio/CD player and other luxuries. But at least the vanity mirrors in the front sun visors both have lights and covers. Very upscale.  I had this base Elantra I was not unhappy at all with it even once. It did what it was meant to do, which is transport me from A to B in relative comfort. The Elantra may have been around for awhile already but it did not fall short of any expectation on what a sub RM90,000 family sedan should be. Or how a RM100,000 C segment car should be either. There would not be much difference if you drove a Toyota Corolla Altis or even a Honda Civic instead of this. It fact, because of this it is the most spacious, comfortable, refined car in the price range. The only other cars that come close are the Kia Cerato 1.6 (slightly pricier) and the Volkswagen Polo 1.6 Sedan (better handling less interior space). But I have to say, the Elantra, whilst being the cheapest, covers most of the important bases when it comes to affordable family motoring. 

I truly wonder why there are not a whole lot more of them on the roads of Malaysia. At this price range I do suggest that people stop being brand snobs and actually buy value. Imagine, a larger segment car for the price of a smaller one. It's the deal that those who are looking should grab. That slightly Italic 'H' logo, i.e Hyundai, should not be taken lightly anymore. It is actually very, very capable.

Pros: very affordable, spacious, good ride quality, decently equipped, larger than most cars offered at this price, good drivetrain, fresh looking styling, a soft touch dashboard when all in this price range is hard plastic

Cons: vague steering with some off center freeplay, average handling,

Conclusion: best sedan money can buy under RM90,000. May not be a driver's car, but it does everything averagely well.

Hyundai Elantra Facelift 1.6 A/T Elegance

Engine
1,591 cc 4-cylinder in-line 16-valve Dual CVVT

Transmission 6-speed (A) Front-wheel drive

Performance
Power 97kW (130 bhp)
Torque 157 Nm
Acceleration 11.5s (0-100 km/h) as tested
Top speed 195 km/h
Fuel consumption 8.5ltr/100km (as tested)

 Kerb weight 1,267 kg

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Limited Edition Hyundai Elantra FL 1.6 Sport launched

Hyundai Sime Darby has decided to come up with a 999 unit limited run 1.6 Sport Edition of the recently facelifted Hyundai Elantra for Malaysia. They've taken the base Elantra FL 1.6 Elegance and added some make-up - a full bodykit, twin tail pipes, stickers and an upgraded infotainment system with a 6.2inch screen inside (instead of the normal audio system). It will be available in two colours - Creamy White and Phantom Black that would also come with the sticker/decal design that incorporates a barcode and a serial number that runs from 001 to 999 representing each model. 

The Hyundai Elantra FL 1.6 Sport will cost RM91,928 (without insurance) and is still a very good purchase. The base Elantra FL 1.6 Elegance comes in at RM85,928.47. An even more affordable purchase. Remember folks, you get a proper C Segment car at around RM90,000. You get a more comfortable, more refined, more powerful car at the price of the smaller B segment cars you see on the roads today. 

Anyway, we have actually just tested the Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Elegance and found it to be totally spot on in terms of providing a proper car at this price. Bang for your Ringgit you might say. Stay tuned for a review on it sometime soon.

PRESS RELEASE

LIMITED EDITION SPORTY ELANTRA FACELIFT LAUNCHED 
Priced Below RM100,000, this C-Segment Sport Edition Elantra FL Offers Great Value 

SHAH ALAM, 3 July 2015 – If you think the current design of the Elantra is too exquisite for your taste, check out the Sport Edition of the Elantra Facelift. Limited to only 999 units nationwide, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) is positive that the response will be favourable for its newly launched edition of the C-segment Elantra Facelift.

With an attractive price of only RM91,928* (on-the-road without insurance), customers are offered a full sport body kit which includes the front and rear bumpers as well as the side skirts; Twin Tail Pipes; a limited edition sticker to go with the sporty outlook of the car; and a 6.2-inch Audio Visual In Car Entertainment that has Audio, DVD and Bluetooth functions (with an option to add-on a reverse camera for only RM300). The Sport Edition, which is only available in Creamy White and Phantom Black, is visually appealing with a limited edition car decal design that incorporates a barcode and serial number that runs from 001 to 999.

According to Mr Lau Yit Mun, Managing Director of HSDM, the company has received numerous requests from customers to include a sport variant in its Elantra product lineup. “The Elantra is our best-selling model as most of our customers are attracted to the

Elegant design of the car, its functionality and its performance. However, we do have another group of younger car buyers who do like the features that the Elantra offers but would prefer a sportier look, which is the reason why we are launching the Sport Edition. So we hope with the launch of this new sport variant, we will be able to attract the younger generation of motorists who appreciates a modern sporty design,” said Mr Lau.

The Sport Edition of the Elantra facelift comes with the Gamma 1.6-litre MPI D-CVVT powerplant that is mated to a six-speed transmission, which delivers impressively more horsepower while consuming less fuel. Its drag coefficient (cd) of just 0.28 reduces wind resistance and contributes to better fuel economy.

The Elantra also features the latest active and passive safety technologies to ensure maximum protection for its occupants such as the Ultra-high Tensile Strength body, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) and HAC (Hill-Start Assist Control) – applicable across all variants.

With the addition of the Sport Edition, the Facelifted Elantra is now available in five variants:
Elantra FL 1.6 Elegance – RM85, 928.47*
Elantra FL 1.6 Sport - RM91, 928.00*  
Elantra FL 1.6 Executive –RM96, 820.57*
Elantra FL 1.6 Premium – RM101, 554.66*
Elantra FL 1.8 Premium – RM115, 616.20*

*On-the-road price indicated excludes insurance and applicable to Peninsular Malaysia only.

In conjunction with the Hari Raya celebration, HSDM is introducing the ‘Glittering Raya’ promotion that offers customers up to **six Limited Edition ‘Sonata 30th Anniversary’ Gold Coins with purchase of any Hyundai models. The gold coins are made up of 999.9 pure gold and weighs 8g each.  The first 200 customers who purchase the Elantra Sport Edition will be offered either two limited edition gold coins or cash rebate of up to RM3,500.

HSDM offers a 5-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) warranty on all its new passenger vehicles. A 24-hour road assist service is also now available to new and existing Hyundai vehicles.  For more information or to place bookings, interested parties can head to the nearest sales outlet or call Hyundai’s Customer Careline at 1-300-13-2000.

**Terms and conditions apply

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