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Weekly Recap: Kia leads Korea's quality surge

The rapid rise of Korea's auto brands in the US market has been apparent on the sales charts for several years, and now it's showing up in an area that's just as crucial: quality. Kia and Hyundai earned the highest rankings among mainstream brands in the J. D. Power Initial Quality Study released on Wednesday. The study tracks problems owners report during the first 90 days they own their car. Kia reported 86 problems per 100 vehicles, or fewer than one problem per car sold, to take second in the rankings behind luxury sportscar-maker Porsche (80). Kia's score improved by nearly 20 percent compared with the 2014 study. "The big industry story is Kia," Renee Stephens, vice president of U.S. automotive quality at J.D. Power, said in a video statement, noting Kia's infotainment systems were the key reason for its improved performance. Hyundai was fourth for the second straight year, though its score actually worsened by one, to 95. Even with Hyundai's slight dip, Korean quality increased 11 percent, according to the study, which far outpaced American and European companies' three-percent increases. Japanese brands improved one percent. Hyundai Motor Co. (parent company of the Hyundai and Kia brands) captured four individual vehicle awards, which tied for the most with General Motors, Nissan, and Volkswagen. "The Korean brands have really taken off," Stephens said. "There's movement in the industry, and the patterns are shifting." Another luxury brand, Jaguar (93 problems), slotted in between Hyundai and Kia in third place. Infiniti was fifth, followed by BMW. Chevrolet was the highest domestic brand, taking seventh place, followed by Lincoln, Lexus, and Toyota, which were all well above the industry average of 112 problems per 100 vehicles. OTHER NEWS & NOTES Kirk Kerkorian dead at 98 Kirk Kerkorian, a billionaire activist investor who wielded enormous influence on the Detroit Three car companies in the 1990s and 2000s, died Monday. He was 98 years old. Kerkorian made headlines in 1995 for trying to take over Chrysler – with the help of former chairman Lee Iacocca – before being fended off by Chrysler management. His takeover attempt ultimately pushed Chrysler to be sold to German giant Daimler. He tried to buy Chrysler again in 2007 when Daimler put Chrysler on the market, but Kerkorian fell short and the automaker was sold to private equity firm Cerberus.

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: May 2013

Although I went on the Portland launch of the regular-strength Veloster back in late 2011, my time in the Turbo model was previously limited to one very brief commuting experience, so I was glad to get some time in our long-term matte gray model this month. In a way, I lucked out, grabbing the key fob to our Hyundai just as the weather in mid-Michigan finally acknowledged spring's existence. The temperature change afforded us the chance to swap out the all-season Kumho Solus KH25 rubber that it arrived with in January for its optional ($1,200) Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires (215/40ZR18), an almost absurdly major-league, high-dollar set of shoes for what is actually only a hottish hatch.
You might have expected the Veloster Turbo to slide under the radar in such high-performance and shouty company, but the truth is it was a little magnet for attention.
With the new footwear freshly installed, I made a beeline for South Bend, Indiana for the start of this year's One Lap of America, an event I've been staffing for well over a decade. I rolled into the Tire Rack headquarters' expansive parking lot, parking the VT alongside the competitors, whose vehicles appeared "cunningly disguised as racecars," covered with all manner of sponsorship stickers and graphics. You might have expected the Veloster Turbo to slide under the radar in such high-performance and shouty company, but the truth is it was a little magnet for attention.

Hyundai concept looks like Le Mans prototype from 2025

Hyundai is ripping the sheet off its N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo for the latest teaser of the digital racecar. The fighter jet-inspired design looks ready to turn on the afterburners at Le Mans a decade from now, but it debuts at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show to promote the company's new N performance sub-brand. The N 2025 is the latest in a long line of imaginative Vision Gran Turismo concepts from a plethora of automakers, but Hyundai is still keeping exact details about its entry a secret. The company admits that the racer highlights sustainable technology under the long, low-slung body, and that suggests something other than just a high-revving internal combustion engine for power. In addition to the PlayStation racer, Hyundai has a few other debuts in store for the German event. The new i20 Active and Sante Fe will get their European unveilings, and the Vision G Coupe will come along, as well. To further push the performance image, the next-gen 2016 i20 World Rally Championship car will also be on display. Hyundai Motor to Enhance IAA Press Conference with Live Streaming and Innovative Digital Assets 09 September, 2015 Hyundai Motor to Enhance IAA Press Conference with Live Streaming and Innovative Digital Assets - Broadcast of pre-show begins at 11:15 CET, Tuesday 15 September 2015 - Online newsroom enriches flow of information - Hyundai Motor showcases new models and visionary concept cars September 9, 2015 - Hyundai Motor will live-stream its press conference at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show, enabling a wider audience to learn about the brand's passion for performance and a host of new Hyundai models, design concepts and technologies. New i20 Active and New Santa Fe will premiere in Europe, enhancing Hyundai Motor's European range of Crossover and SUV models. The company will also showcase its new high-performance N sub-brand, brought to life through the thrilling Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept car and the New Generation i20 WRC car being previewed ahead of the 2016 World Rally Championship season. The Vision G coupe concept introduces dynamic design and advanced technology as inspiration for future premium products. The Hyundai Motor press conference will take place in Hall 6 at 11:30 CET on Tuesday 15 September 2015, and the livestream will be available via www.hyundai.news/IAA2015.