2005 Hyundai Santa Fe Gls Sport Utility 4-door 2.7l on 2040-cars

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Hyundai, Kia recall 270,000 cold-weather state vehicles over rust

Hyundai has announced plans to recall 240,000 Sonata and Azera models registered in the northern United States over corrosion caused by the use of road salt. Exposure to the salt can cause rust to form (we know, basic chemistry here), and that the corrosion can change the alignment of the rear wheels, according to Reuters.
Sonatas from the 2006 to 2010 model years, built between March 1, 2005 and January 21, 2010, and Azeras from the 2006 to 2011 model years, built between September 27, 2005 and November 22, 2010, are covered only if they were registered in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, DC. So basically, every state from the Midwest, to the central Atlantic coast, to New England. It is unclear exactly how many Sonatas or Azeras make up the 240,000 total number.
Hyundai is also recalling 20,300 of its 2013 Santa Fe Sports, while sister company Kia is recalling 9,345 2014 Sorentos. This second recall only covers Santa Fe Sport and Sorento models with the base, 2.4-liter engine and front-wheel drive. Apparently, the front axle driveshaft can develop cracks and separate.

This is the Prius-fighting Hyundai Ioniq fully uncovered

Hyundai has thus far released a few teaser sketches to give us an idea of what its new Ioniq will look like, but this is our best look yet at the finished product. Spied completely undisguised during a video shoot, the forthcoming Ioniq looks pretty much exactly as you'd expect a dedicated electrified vehicle from Hyundai to look like. The Ioniq represents Korea's take on the four-door hybrid, ready to do battle with the likes of the Toyota Prius and Chevy Volt. Hyundai will offer three powertrain options, including a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full EV. The internal-combustion engine is expected to be a 1.6-liter inline-four, slotting in between the gasoline engines on the Volt (1.5 liters) and Prius (1.8 liters). It will be paired to an electric motor, and only Hyundai will let customers eliminate the ICE from the equation altogether – much like BMW does with the i3 – to more closely rival the Nissan Leaf instead. The front end looks distinctly Hyundai, while the tall tail closely follows the aerodynamic lead set by its rivals. And from what we can see so far, it looks like rearward visibility will be somewhat constricted by a high rear deck and small rear window. Earlier spy shots showed camouflaged prototypes with interiors that looked fairly similar to those on the Elantra and Sonata. Hyundai's most recent teaser renderings, however, showed promise for something more distinctive. One way or another, we'll find out soon enough, as the Ioniq is slated for unveiling in South Korea next month ahead of its motor show debuts in Geneva and New York in March and sales debuts later this year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Hyundai Ioniq: Undisguised Spy Shots Image Credit: Brian Williams / SpiedBilde Green Spy Photos Hyundai Electric Hybrid Sedan hyundai ioniq

Hyundai rehires R&D president let go over quality issues

Last November, Hyundai announced the resignations of research and development president Kwon Moon-sik and two other R&D executives. At that time, it was said that the executives wished to "take responsibility for a series of quality issues" at the Korean automaker. Kwon Moon-sik had only been in the position for a year, but some of the quality issues thought to have caused the resignations included recalls of the Genesis and other sedans around the world, along with the company's much-publicized fuel economy overstatement controversy - both of which dealt with matters that transpired before Moon-sik took his position. In its statement at the time, Hyundai said, "The latest personnel change shows our firm commitment to quality management and reaffirms our will to continuously improve R&D competitiveness."
Three months later, Reuters is reporting that Moon-sik is back with the company, a statement announcing the rehire saying, "Given his expertise, experience and leadership skills, we reinstated president Kwon to enhance quality and R&D capability from scratch." Company chairman Chung Mong-koo is said to have a reputation for firing then rehiring workers, and it's possible this rehire is especially timely because Hyundai will bring its new Sonata to market this year and likely wants its experienced R&D captain at the wheel.
The man who had taken Moon-sik's position has returned to his previous post as head of powertrain development. However, in another surprise resignation, the head of Hyundai's design center, Oh Sug-geun, has left the company for "personal reasons." He has been replaced by Lee Byung-seob, who moves up from his position as head of exterior design.