Hyundai admits i10 too small for U.S., i20 and i30 being considered
Click either image for a high-res gallery
Car buyers in the US are thinking smaller and more efficient, but probably not small enough for the upcoming Hyundai i10. At least that's the thinking within the top ranks of Korea's largest automaker. The i10 is a micro hatchback that was designed for Euro duty, but could find a niche here in the States. Unfortunately, US customers still aren't snapping up mini cars in any real volume, making it an unattractive proposition for the automaker. Hyundai insists that no final decision has been made, but Hyundai America VP John Krafcik said earlier that the i10 is unlikely to be sold in the States.
Hyundai is still considering bringing the i20 over to our shores, where it would fit under the Elantra. The i20 is being unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, and it will go on sale in Europe by the end of the year. For the short term, Hyundai will import more Elantras from South Korea by November to satisfy our hunger for smaller, more efficient cars.
Gallery: Hyundai i30
[Source: Automotive News subs req'd)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Berto 5:12PM (9/19/2008)
That's what she said.
Reply
Flashpoint 5:12PM (9/19/2008)
The Genesis is also tighter inside than the Lincoln MKS and the Lexus ES/GS and the Cadillad STS despite the fact this car has similar length and cabin size.
It seems logical that if you wanna make vehicles for a specific market, you should have people from that market to build your vehicle around.
I think all car's coming to America should be built for people up to 6'0 and 250 lbs.
I'm 6'7 and I barely fit in a BMW7. I ended up buying an S550.
Reply
8e61bf20 6:27PM (9/19/2008)
EPA interior volume of Genesis is BIGGER than ES/GS, 7 series, and S-class. You know that? Also... front legroom Genesis 44.3 in / S550 41.9 in // front headroom Genesis 38.1 in / S550 37.8 in...
So your claims are not that accurate.... also 7 series and S550 has a very very very similar front space...
ENKA 5:19PM (9/19/2008)
I got to say I really like this car, design is very European and materials looks high quality. I saw this car in Turkey this summer. Very sharp looking and the owner told me that it handles very well. I'll defintely test drive this if it comes to U.S. Better looking than the current Elantra.
Reply
notYou 6:21PM (9/19/2008)
Autoblog: Unfortunately, US customers still aren't snapping up mini cars in any real volume.
Why would you preface that point as "unfortunate"?
Reply
riskylogic 8:50PM (9/19/2008)
Really. Fortune has nothing to to with it. The Smart is the only mini for sale in the US, and in spite of it's absurdly low mpg for it's class, there's a waiting list.
I think there is more room for growth for B-segment cars -- which are a lot better on freeways, but the US has cities, so toro toro taxi.
Kumail891 5:36PM (9/19/2008)
other than those taillights, not bad.
Reply
tankd0g 5:53PM (9/19/2008)
Admit it, that's the same car they just increased the number by two to make Americans think they are getting the supersized instead of the kids meal.
Reply
BigWill 5:58PM (9/19/2008)
The i30 is already coming over this year as the Elantra Touring, and with Hyundai new nomenclature the i20 should be the Accent's replacement. Hyundai also developed a new 1.6 clean diesel for the i20; too bad we probably won't get that one.
Reply
P.V. 6:02PM (9/19/2008)
...oops...hehe...I didn't read your post before writing my own...my thoughts exactly...
P.V. 6:01PM (9/19/2008)
This sounds like a good decision, but isn't the i30 coming in the form of the Elantra Touring?
Reply
jgp 8:44PM (9/19/2008)
Kind of. The i30 estate is the Elantra Touring, but the i30 hatch isn't coming over yet.
I'm guessing it's the hatch that's "being considered".
tanooki2003 1:56PM (9/20/2008)
The hatch IS coming over as the Elantra Touring. There is no need for them to modify this car to be a sedan being that the Elantra sedan currently already exists in their US lineup.
If your logic was correct then the car would come over as the i30, not as the Elantra Touring.
kentavos 6:21PM (9/19/2008)
When is the Touring getting here? I haven't heard anything in a long while and I've really been looking forward to buying one.
Reply
BigWill 6:47PM (9/19/2008)
I've been trying to find that out as well. Considering how successful the Kia Cee'd has been in Europe and that the i30 Wagon/Elantra Touring is basically the Cee'd, I'm interested in driving it. One good sign is the manual transmission Touring comes with a B&M sport shifter as standard equipment.
gtdrifter 8:48PM (9/19/2008)
I believe the i30 wagon is a bit longer/bigger than the Cee'd as it is very similar to the i30 hatchback.
Swede 4:41AM (9/20/2008)
The cee´d and i30 are identical in size with the exception that the KIA is a little bit wider. They both come in wagon form.
john riley 7:25AM (9/20/2008)
Yeah. I thought the E Touring was supposed to be here by now. Where is it?
BigWill 6:37PM (9/19/2008)
No prob. I think posting almost simultaneously happens to all of us here at some point in time.
Reply
Cire 7:30PM (9/19/2008)
i20=Accent Touring?
Just kidding. I think they would be wise to bring the i20 5-door over here to sell beside the Accent sedan and 3-door. Having a choice of configurations in the small car segment wouldn't be a bad idea, especially if gas prices continue to climb.
I think the Elantra Touring is actually the Euro market i30cw wagon, if I remember correctly. The Euro market also gets a regular i30 5-door hatchback that we won't see in the U.S. (although Hyundai should reconsider and make it available here too).
Reply