HYUNDAI GENESIS NAMED 2015 AUTOGUIDE.COM CAR OF THE YEAR

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis was named the 2015 AutoGuide.com Car of the Year for its exceptional value, drive quality and design. 

“The Genesis impressed us with high-quality interior materials, refined driving dynamics and dramatic exterior styling that elevates the Hyundai brand as a whole,” said Luke Vandezande, AutoGuide.com managing editor. “More than a great car, the 2015 Genesis is a great luxury car.”

The AutoGuide.com Car of the Year committee evaluated new or significantly refreshed vehicles for the 2015 model year. AutoGuide.com editors crowned Genesis the winner among the finalists including the Audi A3, Ford Mustang, Subaru WRX STI and Volkswagen GTI. Genesis was selected not only for its exceptional value, but also its impressive options at every engine type, including the available 5.0 liter V8.

“Earning the AutoGuide.com Car of the Year for Genesis means that the all-new model has the stamp of approval from some of the auto industry’s most esteemed road test editors,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The Genesis continues to rise above for its smooth drive and handling, high safety ratings, design and value.”

The AutoGuide.com Car of the Year award continues an amazing run of high-level recognition for the Genesis, making it one of the most acclaimed vehicles on the road today. Genesis recently was named a finalist for the prestigious North American Car of the Year, with the winner being announced at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2015 Genesis also was recognized as ALG’s Residual Value Award winner in the Premium Full-Size Car segment for being projected to retain the highest percentage of its original price after the typical ownership period of three years compared to competing models.

Furthermore, the redesigned Genesis earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,Sedan of the Year from Esquire magazine, Luxury Car of the Year from Popular Mechanics, Best Luxury Car by the Hispanic Motor Press Awards, Best Luxury Sedan from Ruedas ESPN, Car of Texas from the Texas Auto Writers Association, and Top Family Choice from the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association.

Representing a bold step forward for Hyundai, the 2015 Genesis is all-new inside and out with a host of premium features and improved dynamics. Riding on a completely revamped platform, the sedan is stiffer and stronger than before. A suite of advanced assistance features such as Rear Cross-traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Blind-Spot Detection and Smart Cruise Control are offered. Two engine options are available: a 311 horsepower 3.8 liter V6 and a 420 horsepower 5.0 liter V8, while an advanced HTRAC AWD system is available for the first time on a Hyundai passenger car. With a base pricing starting at $38,000, a true blend of premium value, safety, bold design and superb driving dynamics can be had with the 2015 Hyundai Genesis.

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.
 

HYUNDAI ELANTRA SURPASSES 10 MILLION UNITS IN GLOBAL SALES

    Hyundai’s award-winning Elantra, also known as Avante in other parts of the world, recently sold its 10 millionth unit globally. Elantra is Hyundai’s first model, and one of only 10 cars in the history of the auto industry, to reach 10 million sales. Elantra was launched 24 years ago in 1990 and was able to reach this mark by selling an average of 420,000 per year or approximately 1,100 a day. In the U.S. market, Elantra won the prestigious North American Car of the Year in 2012 and is built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery, Ala. Along with Sonata, Elantra is Hyundai’s volume leader, helping Hyundai set a U.S. sales record in each of the past four years.

   “Reaching this historic mark is a testament to Elantra’s staying power and the global appeal of a vehicle that delivers design, functionality and performance,” said Bob Pradzinski, vice president of National Sales, Hyundai Motor America. “As a company it also shows our ability to quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences and continue to push the compact car segment with features once reserved for luxury vehicles.” The current version of Elantra continues its high value proposition as a strong choice in the highly-competitive compact car segment. This has been validated by several coveted accolades over the model’s lifecycle, including ranking the highest in its segment for initial quality in the influential J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS). Elantra is also the three-time recipient (2011, 2012 and 2013) of the ALG Residual Value Awards and remains one of the top-shopped vehicles in the segment.