Study: Hyundai customer loyalty upends Toyota, Honda, takes #1

Filed under: Car Buying, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota

It’s no secret that Hyundai has been enjoying a healthy dose of praise lately, especially with fresh new products like the Genesis, Tucson and Sonata garnering a lot of media attention. But it isn’t just the press that thinks Hyundai is on a roll – Kelley Blue Book now reports that the automaker now holds the Number One spot in brand loyalty, with 56.3 percent of Hyundai owners looking within the brand for new car purchases. Honda continues to hold the second place rank at 55.8 percent, and Toyota, in light of its recent recall woes, is down 4.4 percentage points to 53.3 percent, putting it in the third place spot.

Furthermore, the Sonata is now KBB’s fifth most-researched new vehicle, mostly due to the hype surrounding the stylish new 2011 model. The only vehicles ahead of it on the list are perennial mainstays, such as the Honda Civic, Accord, CR-V and Toyota Camry.

KBB market analysts believe that Hyundai should continue to promote its attractive new products, competitive price points and great warranty program in order to keep the momentum going (duh). These analysts also suggest that domestic automakers (Ford and GM, specifically) will prove to be Hyundai’s biggest competition in the near future, as these brands are set to roll out a host of new products to win over consumers. Follow the jump to read the full details in KBB’s press release.

[Source: Kelley Blue Book]

Continue reading Study: Hyundai customer loyalty upends Toyota, Honda, takes #1

Study: Hyundai customer loyalty upends Toyota, Honda, takes #1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer

Could the Infiniti M replace the Q forever?

Filed under: Sedan, Hyundai, Luxury

Take a look at the Infiniti line-up compared to other top-tier luxury automakers and something’s missing. Nissan’s luxury arm hasn’t had biggie-sized luxo-barge after the brand killed the Q45 in 2006, and it doesn’t look like a replacement is coming anytime soon.

Speaking with Automotive News, Toru Saito, Infiniti’s veep of global business contends that the recently released M sedan will “play a flagship role” for the automaker going forward, and judging by the dimensions of the new M – which comes in around the same size as the old Q – he’s partially right.

Despite matching Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz point-for-point on its entry-level and mid-size models, Infiniti’s offerings have always straddled segments. The G37 is noticeably larger than the A4, 3 Series, IS and C-Class, while the M – which would traditionally take on the A6, 5 Series and E-Class – has grown considerably since it’s last iteration.

According to Saito, if there’s significant demand for a larger vehicle in Infiniti’s line-up, the automaker will consider reviving the Q, but for now “the No. 1 challenge is the environment and efficiency.”

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Could the Infiniti M replace the Q forever? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer

2011 Hyundai Sonata door latch recall gets official

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Hyundai

A couple weeks back, Hyundai put a stop-sale on its freshly minted 2011 Sonata sedan because a front door latch could malfunction after a rather labored series of steps. The stop-sale was lifted almost immediately, though, as the Korean automaker was able to quickly ship replacement parts to U.S. dealers, at which point the vehicles in stock were repaired. At that time, though, Hyundai promised to work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to put out a recall notice for the 1,300 vehicles that had already been sold; a promise that came to fruition this morning as NHTSA put out an official bulletin.

The NHTSA recall notice claims that the front inside door lock switches can remain in the unlatched position under certain conditions, making it possible for the front driver or passenger doors to open while the vehicle is in motion. Hyundai tells us that the latch may malfunction when a front inside door lock switch is held in the locked position while the inside door handle is pulled to open the door.

Sonata owners affected by the recall can bring their vehicle to the nearest Hyundai dealer for the no-cost repairs, which should take about an hour. Hit the jump to read over the NHTSA press release.

Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading 2011 Hyundai Sonata door latch recall gets official

2011 Hyundai Sonata door latch recall gets official originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer

Report: Hyundai sued by Louis Vuitton over high-end basketball [w/video]

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hyundai

There probably isn’t a day that goes by when an automaker isn’t being sued for something. Some suits are extremely serious, while others peg the needle on the frivolity scale. And while Hyundai is flying high on the sales charts right now, the Korean automaker apparently isn’t immune to a trip or two the local trademark infringement court.

At question is a Hyundai Sonata commercial that debuted during the Super Bowl that linked the company’s new-for-2011 sedan to all things luxurious. About four seconds into the spot, a brown basketball with gold symbols is shown. Forgive us if we didn’t immediately notice that the design of the ball is strikingly similar to the colors and symbols of Louis Vuitton, but the world-famous couture company caught on right away. So… are they excited about the free press during the Super Bowl? Not so much.

The Car Connection reports that Louis Vuitton is suing Hyundai because the French purse maker says the Korean automaker tried “to benefit commercially from the fame and renown of the LVM Marks by creating a false association between Louis Vuitton and its automobiles.” So, what does LV want for Hyundai’s alleged trademark infringement? How about “triple damages, punitive damages, a halt to the alleged infringement, and other remedies.” Sounds a lot more expensive than a Louis Vuitton handbag, eh?

We aren’t really up to speed on the legal ramifications of trademark infringement, so we aren’t about to guess as to whether or not Hyundai will end up paying any fines or settlements. We do think it’s a sweet-looking basketball, though, and Louis Vuitton should talk to Hyundai about borrowing that design so they can sell a few $300 $2,300 b-balls. If you don’t remember the commercial in question, hit the jump to see it for yourself.

[Source: The Car Connection | Image: Louis Vuitton]

Continue reading Report: Hyundai sued by Louis Vuitton over high-end basketball [w/video]

Report: Hyundai sued by Louis Vuitton over high-end basketball [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer

Spy Shots: Will Rhys Millen drive a Hyundai Equus at Pikes Peak this year?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai, Luxury

Judging by these spy shots of a Hyundai Equus we just received from an alert reader, the Korean brand may be considering giving Rhys Millen a new ride to try and break the class record he set last year at Pikes Peak. Recall that in 2009, Millen ran up the 14,110-foot Colorado mountan-side in 12 minutes, 9.397 seconds at the wheel of a Genesis coupe.

Apparently, Hyundai may be looking to challenge the AMG S63s and Alpina B7s of the world with its new flagship by establishing the performance bona fides of the new Equus luxury sedan with some motorsports activity. Either that or somebody at the Hyundai tech center is just trying to pull a fast one on us to see if anyone is paying attention.

Spy Shots: Will Rhys Millen drive a Hyundai Equus at Pikes Peak this year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer

Hyundai set to spend Super Bowl-like money to blow out Oscars

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai

If you didn’t get enough of Hyundai at the Super Bowl, we’ve got some good news for you. You’ll see even more of the Korean automaker if you’re watching the Oscars this Sunday. Automotive News is reporting that Hyundai has purchased eight spots during the event at a knee-buckling cost of between $2.5 million and $2.8 million per commercial.

Hyundai’s plan to become a presence at big events like the Super Bowl and the Oscars is beginning to pay off, too, as more customers are reportedly visiting Hyundai’s website to find out more about the company’s products. For example, the Korean automaker notes that since the Big Game, web traffic has surpassed the levels it reached during Cash for Clunkers and overall purchase consideration for the brand is up a reported 250 percent since January 2009.

While Hyundai spent big bucks on the actual air time, the automaker likely spent another small fortune bringing in big-name actors to voice the commercials. Jeff Bridges, who typically voices the Hyundai commercials, is among the actors nominated at this year’s Oscars, so Hyundai had to procure some new talent. Actually, the automaker picked up four new talents, including Charlie Sheen, Richard Dryfus and Kim Basinger. Sheen will talk up the Hyundai plant in Alabama, Dryfus will voice new spots for the Sonata and Basinger will discuss safety. And the Oscar goes to…

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req. | Image: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty]

Hyundai set to spend Super Bowl-like money to blow out Oscars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer

Geneva 2010: Hyundai i-Flow Concept gets its fluidic design on

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Hyundai, Diesel

This guy, the Hyundai i-Flow Concept, is said to be a preview of a “future D-segment contender” from the Korean automaker.

Showcasing an edgier take on the corporate design language that is currently beginning to infiltrate Hyundai’s very brisk dealership lots, the i-Flow goes for a smaller exterior footprint but more interior space with a severely pared-down cockpit. The frugality continues under the hood with a 1.7-liter turbodiesel hybrid powertrain making it all happen through a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission, and recycling – energy harvesting, that is – is taken almost all the way with flexible solar panels on the roof and additional power produced via exhaust heat. You can take a closer look at Hyundai’s future in our gallery of high-res photos below.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Geneva 2010: Hyundai i-Flow Concept gets its fluidic design on originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer

Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Accent

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai

With all the new product coming out of Hyundai, the Azera and Accent are beginning to stand out like the proverbial sore thumbs. To rectify the latter, Hyundai has begun testing the next Accent in the Great White North.

Since the upcoming Veloster will fill the hatch-sized space in Hyundai’s line-up, there’s a good chance that the next Accent will only be available in sedan form when it hits the market in the next two years. In four-door form, the Accent employs the now-standard sweeping roofline of its bigger Sonata sibling, and underneath the camouflage we expect a similar fascia and liberal application of chrome.

Early indications suggest that the i20’s platform will be used to underpin the new Accent, with power supplied Hyundai’s next generation 1.6-liter inline four, capable of producing around 140 horsepower. If all goes according to plan, we suspect the all-new Accent will make an appearance later this year or early next, with sales beginning in the middle of 2011.

Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Accent originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer

Video: Ladies love the Hyundai Elantra and, apparently, each other

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hyundai, Canada

Canada. It’s not just that place where Americans go to load up on Olympic medals. It’s also the home of TV spots you’d never see in the U.S. because they’re just too edgy and inappropriate for our young’uns eyes. Case in point: a new Elantra commercial that Hyundai Canada is running in daytime ad buys. In it, a cute brunette is so impressed with an Elantra she comes across that she leaves the owner her lipstick-enhanced digits under the wiper. And the owner? Well she seems pretty jazzed by the possibilities. Watch it unfold after the jump. We now return you to your 24/7 Cialis and Enzyte saturation coverage on U.S. television.

[Source: YouTube via AutoNorth]

Continue reading Video: Ladies love the Hyundai Elantra and, apparently, each other

Video: Ladies love the Hyundai Elantra and, apparently, each other originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer

Geneva Preview: Hyundai reveals diesel-hybrid i-Flow

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Hyundai, Electric, Diesel

Hyundai’s home office in Korea has dropped the first frontal image of a new concept that will be shown next week at the Geneva Motor Show along with some technical details. The i-Flow is a D-segment sedan meant to go up against cars like the Ford Mondeo in Europe. Under the hood, the i-Flow has Hyundai’s first diesel hybrid powertrain including a new 1.7-liter inline-four. The diesel has dual stage turbocharging and is paired up with Hyundai’s Blue-drive system using a new six-speed dual clutch gearbox. Like the upcoming Sonata hybrid, the i-Flow uses a lithium polymer battery pack. With its drag coefficient of 0.25, the i-Flow is claimed to achieve 78.4 miles per gallon (U.S.) and CO2 emissions of just 85 grams/kilometer.

Joining the i-Flow onstage will be a refreshed version of the i30 (badged as the Elantra Touring in North America) and low emissions “blue” versions of the i10, i20, i30 and ix35 (Tucson). These models receive automatic start-stop, low rolling resistance tires and aero tweaks. The four cars all achieve CO2 ratings under 100 g/km while the crossover ix35 gets 135 g/km. Finally, Hyundai will also show a fuel cell version of the new ix35/Tucson for the first time. Hyundai still plans to produce fuel cell vehicles in the thousands annually by 2012.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Hyundai reveals diesel-hybrid i-Flow

Geneva Preview: Hyundai reveals diesel-hybrid i-Flow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tags: autoblog, hyundai deaelr new jersey, new jersey hyundai dealer, nj hyundai dealer