GENESIS NAMED 2015 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR FINALIST

 At the Automotive Press Association Luncheon in Detroit, Genesis was named one of the top three finalists for the 2015 North American Car of the Year. The Ford Mustang and Volkswagen GTI join Genesis as the other two finalists.

“We are thrilled that the Genesis has been listed as a finalist among an amazing cast of contenders and we anxiously await the jury’s final vote in January,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “In 2009 we made history as Genesis became our first North American Car of the Year win. Since then Genesis has helped guide product development and continues to be a game changing model that challenges convention and redefines the luxury market.”

This year the jurors considered 28 cars from its long list before selecting the top three cars. Twenty-nine trucks and sport utility vehicles were considered in the Truck/Utility category with the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford F-150 and Lincoln MKC making the final list. The North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year award is decided by a jury of 59 independent, full-time automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. This is the 22nd year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European “Car of the Year” awards. The U.S. program is administered by an organizing committee and is funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors evaluate the cars on a number of factors, including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

“Prior to 2009, Hyundai had no presence in the world of luxury automobiles. Then the Genesis sedan rolled onto the scene and won the North American Car of the Year award, proving that luxury is a word that doesn’t require a German accent or a princely price tag,” said Tony Swan, North American Car of the Year juror. “Now the second generation Genesis, improved in every detail, is a finalist for the award yet again. This is the 22nd year of the North American Car of the Year award. In the last six years, Hyundai has won the award twice (Elantra won in 2012), had another car (Sonata) among the finalists in 2011, and placed two cars (Genesis and Sonata) in the semifinals for 2015. Not only is that track record enviable, it’s unique among contemporary carmakers.”

The winner will be named at next month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 12, 2015.
 

2015 HYUNDAI SONATA NAMED TOP RATED VEHICLE

    Hyundai’s 2015 Sonata continues to add to its list of accolades, being named a Top Rated Vehicle by car-shopping website Edmunds.com. The vehicle was praised for its suite of standard safety and convenience features, refined styling, and range of efficient and powerful engines. 

“The Sonata’s value is bolstered by its class-leading safety features, including lane departure warning and frontal collision warning systems,” said Scott Oldham, editor in chief, Edmunds.com. “Combined with its sophisticated design, refined ride and handling characteristics, and a great selection of powertrains, the Sonata really is everything you could want from a family sedan.”

Every year, the Edmunds Testing Team evaluates more than 200 new vehicles in 10 categories. Each vehicle is driven on a standardized road-test loop and visits the publication’s test track for instrumented testing in controlled conditions. Editors’ time behind the wheel is used to develop ratings that grade how a car stacks up against its direct rivals in its size and price class. After evaluation, each vehicle is given an overall score, and those that receive an “A” are named Edmunds’ Top Rated Vehicles.

“The Sonata was designed and engineered with safety and convenience at its core,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “By offering our accident prevention technologies as standard, we are continuing our dedication to best-in-class occupant safety. Similarly, by making features such as Apple® CarPlay and Android® Auto available to consumers, the Sonata is one of the most family friendly cars on the road today.”

Sonata’s suite of safety features aims to help prevent accidents and maximize the safety of its occupants in the event of a collision. The 2015 Sonata is equipped with standard Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Traction Control, ABS and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with individual tire pressure indicator help the vehicle maintain traction in all weather conditions.