Hyundai renews small car focus, city car considered for U.S.
Hyundai swung with the Genesis and connected big time. But even though the Korean automaker wants to take its public perception upward, that doesn't mean it plans to keep releasing big, luxury sedans. For the six new and redesigned models that will appear by 2011, Hyundai America's product development chief says "We're looking at small, fuel-efficient cars." The company will also be giving buyers the option of putting smaller engines in some of their vehicles.
The i10, only on sale in India right now, is being considered for America (or not). And if the fortwo does well, Hyundai could invest in giving the i10 the safety and engine changes it would need to make it Stateside. A four-pot Genesis Coupe will available for the low twenties. Hyundai's first hybrid will be installed on the redesigned Sonata, which gets redesigned in 2011, and the reworked Tucson will get four-cylinder engines only, along with the Santa Fe. And when the Tiburon goes bye-bye in 2011, it could be replaced by a small, FWD coupe based on the Veloster concept.
[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AlexIP 9:42AM (9/03/2008)
Actually, the i10 is marketed in India and Europe. And the Philippines. And Malaysia...
I'm from Romania and I've already seen them on the streets.
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Jimmy 9:43AM (9/03/2008)
The i10 in on sale as we speak on many latinamerican countries, not only in India.
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styleguy 9:50AM (9/03/2008)
Autoblog has their dates a little messed up. The Sonata Hybrid is to debut in LA in November with Li-ion batteries, the first of its kind. And the Tiburon replacement is set to debut in Geneva.
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Rodrigo 10:24AM (9/03/2008)
and here in Chile we also have the i10.
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Erik 10:43AM (9/03/2008)
Let's wait 'till the US sales numbers are out before decaring that the Genesis "connected big time"? I think they will have greater sucess with this city car. This is a strp in the right direction for Hyundai
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jsjs 12:33PM (9/03/2008)
While Autoblog is probably talking more about the good to glowing reviews rather than the sale figures, the Genesis was on track to sell 1,800 units in August.
Not bad considering the V-8 isn't available yet, all color combos of the V-6 were not available and the national advertising campaign has yet to swing into force.
Jorge 12:44PM (9/03/2008)
In Mexico we have the Hyunday Atos that is sell under the Dodge brand, is very similar to the I10 in size, but not in looks, the I10 looks like a redesigned version of the Atos.
The Atos has a great mpg, my girlfriend has one and she puts usd$20 of gas a month and goes around all day.
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anotherguy 4:45PM (9/03/2008)
India is the small car hub for Hyundai. I10 is currently being made in India and expect I20 to be also made in India.
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