Hyundai Genesis 31k Mi V6 348hp Navi Rear Cam Rwd Clean Carfax Loaded Fast on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Hyundai Sonata successor to seek evolution, not revolution

Hyundai hit a home run with its current-generation Sonata midsize sedan, so don't expect the Korean automaker to make revolutionary changes when its replacement comes out for the 2015 model year. The four-door sitting in showrooms today was launched in 2010 with radical new lines that marked a big departure from its rather bland predecessor. Even with stiff competition from the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry - all newer designs than the Sonata - sales have been strong. Consumers embraced its new design language, taking home a record 230,605 units last year.
"I think we found a design language that works, the 'Fluidic Sculpture' stuff, so I would say (the new styling) is not pulling back in any way. It's more continuing to refine on that same trajectory that we're on," John Krafcik, Hyundai U.S. CEO, told WardsAuto in a recent interview. Consumers don't seem to be fazed by the its age either. "A lot of consumers are just entering (the) midsize (segment) for the first time. They don't see (the Sonata) as a three-year-old car. They see it as, 'Whoa, that's a pretty good-looking midsize car,' so it's doing quite well," added Krafcik.
Sonota sales have been down over the last few months, but Krafcik says that is a reflection of the automaker's decision to increase production of its Elantra compact at the Montgomery, Alabama, plant - where both are built - and a limited supply of its mid-grade GLS Sonata model.

Hyundai's Super Bowl ads score on Ad Meter

Pepsi and Anheuser-Busch have often dominated USA Today's influential Super Bowl Ad Meter, but this year Hyundai broke through as the first car company to capture the top spot. Hyundai's First Date spot shown during the first quarter earned a 6.90 rating to edge out Heinz's Weiner Stampede (6.63) and two Doritos' commercials, Utrasound (6.60) and Doritos Dogs (6.48). Two more Hyundai spots, Ryanville (6.27) and The Chase (6.19) gave the automaker three of the top six commercials during the Super Bowl. USA Today's Ad Meter has been a barometer that measures the success of ads during the Big Game since 1989. More than 19,000 panelists participated this year. They ranked each ad on a scale from zero to 10. Anheuser-Busch ads won the last three years. First Date stars comedian Kevin Hart as an overprotective dad in who uses Hyundai's Blue Link car finder feature in the Genesis to spy on his daughter during a first date. Ryanville showcases Ryan Reynolds to illustrate how the Elantra can help with the perils of distracted driving. The Chase also stars the Elantra and its Blue Link voice-activated auto start system, which are successfully used to evade bears. Related Video: Hyundai Dominates with Three of the Top Six Ads First Automaker to Take the USA TODAY Ad Meter Crown FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Feb. 8, 2016 – Hyundai became the first automotive company to win USA TODAY's coveted Ad Meter when its spot "First Date" beat out 63 other Super Bowl 50 commercials. Hyundai's impressive performance also included a fifth and sixth place finish for "Ryanville" and "The Chase" respectively, meaning Hyundai finished with three of the top six highest rated ads. Creative was developed by Hyundai's agency of record, INNOCEAN Worldwide. "On the biggest advertising day of the year, we wanted to entertain Super Bowl fans with creative storytelling and relevant, popular celebrities, while showcasing the innovative technology features of our vehicles. Our formula clearly resonated with the thousands of Ad Meter voters," said Dean Evans, chief marketing officer, Hyundai Motor America. "Kevin Hart's comedic chops coupled with a human truth people could connect with was a standout combination that put us over the top. It's an incredible conclusion to our first year as an official NFL sponsor that we won the Ad Meter for Super Bowl 50." "First Date," a 60-second spot featuring Kevin Hart, highlights one of the incredible technology features of Hyundai's premium Genesis sedan.

Recharge Wrap-up: "E-Mobility Thought to the End" project, Tesla owner tracks stolen car

A Tesla owner helped police track her stolen Model S and catch the thief. Katya Pinkowski of Vancouver, BC found her car missing after a concert, and she was able to track the car's movements with the Tesla app. She relayed the information to the police, who surrounded the car and arrested the driver. "High tech definitely played a helping role," in arresting the suspect, says Richmond RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dennis Hwang. In what appears to be the first Tesla theft in Canada, Pinkowski accidentally left an electronic fob in the car, giving the thief easy access. Read more from The Province. Hyundai has delivered a shipment of 50 ix35 (Tucson) Fuel Cells for distribution in Europe. Europe's largest ever shipment of the hydrogen-powered vehicles puts the count at over 250 of the ix35 Fuel Cells shipped to Europe so far. "This latest landmark delivery enhances our leading position in the roll-out of fuel cell vehicles in Europe," says Hyundai Europe COO Thomas Schmid. "With our fuel cell distribution network growing to 13 European countries, we are enhancing our sales and customer service capabilities, making fuel cell electric vehicles more accessible for customers throughout Europe." Read more in the press release from Hyundai. Daimler, The Mobility House, Getec and Remondis are partnering to connect the world's largest second use battery storage unit to the grid. As part of their "E-Mobility Thought To The End" project, retired EV batteries are being used in the 13-MWh storage unit to help stabilize the grid and help manage energy fluctuations from renewable sources. It serves as another step in the life of the battery before recycling, where the materials from the lithium-ion batteries re-enter the production process. This helps reduce the environmental impact and the costs of electromobility. Read more in the press release below. E-mobility thought to the end: World's largest 2nd-use battery storage unit set to connect to the grid • Cooperation between Daimler, The Mobility House, GETEC and REMONDIS completes the battery value creation cycle • Re-use of electric vehicle batteries improves environmental performance and the lifecycle costs of e-mobility • 13-megawatt battery storage unit to connect to the grid in early 2016 • Levelling out fluctuations in the power grid as an active contribution towards the energy revolution The world's largest 2nd-use battery storage unit will soon go into operation in the Westphalian town of Lunen.