2009 Hyundai Sonata Se Sedan 4-door 3.3l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

For Hyundai, ZEV credit rules are working

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has been working on its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) plan since the early 1990s, so no one at Hyundai could act surprised when the automaker finally started selling enough vehicles to be affected by the rules around 2012. In fact, the company had lots of time to prepare for being reclassified as an Intermediate Volume automaker and the obligations to sell ZEV vehicles – fuel cell vehicles, electric vehicles, or plug ins – that come with that title. Today, Hyundai has more credits than it needs and no plans to sell them to other, less forward-looking automakers. "We are not in the business of buying or selling ZEV credits." - Mike O'Brien Anyone paying close enough attention will know that Hyundai has been working on hydrogen fuel cell technology since a little before 2000. O'Brien said that Hyundai's fuel cell program "predated regulation for us by more than a decade and a half." That's why the company is in good standing today. In the ZEV marketplace, the value of one ZEV credit is private information between those who sell them and those looking to buy. So, while we don't know how much money Hyundai's extra credits are actually worth, California does publish the credit balances, so we can at least know how many Hyundai has.The most recent seem to be from 2014, which are available here. That's when Hyundai had 896 ZEV credits, 4,825.71 "advanced technology partial zero-emission vehicles" (AT-PZEV) and 6,751.80 PZEV credits, but O'Brien said that, "We are not in the business of buying or selling credits. To my knowledge, there is nobody I know in this company that has investigated either the purchase or sale of ZEV credits." Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell in BeeZero Hydrogen Carsharing Program View 6 Photos Instead, Hyundai - like many other automakers - is generating its own credits by selling zero-emission vehicles to offset the vehicles it sells that are too dirty in the ZEV credit scheme. And the company's recent expansion of Tucson Fuel Cell sales into Northern California is likely a preview for the vehicle's availability in the Northeast. After all, that's where the next batch of H2 stations is due and O'Brien has said in the past the Hyundai will sell the vehicle where there's fuel. O'Brien said Hyundai is talking to the same hydrogen providers that competitors like Honda and Toyota are talking to (so, FirstElement Fuel), but is not ready to make any announcements about any infrastructure partnerships.

Hyundai in hot water over suicide-themed commercial

There's a surprisingly long and storied history of automakers creating suicide-themed advertisements. You'd think the companies and their marketing firms would have figured out by now that such ads always result in a swirl of backlash - see examples from Audi, Citroën, General Motors and Volkswagen, all pasted down below, as proof.
It seems somebody at Hyundai didn't get the message that many people don't find suicide a laughing matter. A video making the rounds on the web that was, according to Hyundai, produced in the UK, depicts a man trying to commit suicide by pumping exhaust fumes into the passenger compartment of his car. As it turns out, the self-assisted death doesn't quite go according to plan.
Scroll down below to see the ad from Hyundai, a slew of similar spots from other automakers, and an official statement from Hyundai. After that, we suggest reading this piece from our friends at AOL Autos to see how deeply such thoughtless advertisements can affect people.

2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo gets 7-speed DCT, Rally Edition model

The Hyundai Veloster lineup gets a little sweeter for 2016, with the Korean automaker showing off a host of new upgrades here at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. Most significantly, the Turbo model gets a brand-new, seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Elsewhere in the lineup, there's a new Rally Edition model, and even the base, naturally aspirated Veloster gets a few tweaks. Hyundai will only offer 1,200 examples of its limited edition Veloster, pictured at right. Based on the Turbo R-Spec, the Rally Edition adds more performance-tuned suspension, 18-inch Rays lightweight wheels, faux carbon fiber aero accents, unique badging, and a brand-new matte blue paint job. The limited-production Veloster will arrive at dealers in May. In addition to a seven-speed DCT, the Veloster Turbo gets a new wheel design, redesigned seats, and a new look to the gauge cluster. Non-turbo Velosters get a spiffy new 17-inch wheel design, and optional black seats with yellow accents. Have a look at the refreshed Veloster range in the gallery above, and look just below for all the details in the company's press blast. New Rally Edition Model Adds both Dynamic and Aesthetic Upgrades to Turbo R-Spec Model CHICAGO, February 13, 2015 – Hyundai unveiled a new Rally Edition, coupled with significant design, dynamic and connectivity enhancements to its Veloster coupe at the Chicago Auto Show today. The Veloster Rally Edition builds upon Veloster Turbo R-Spec enthusiast credentials, with a more performance-focused suspension, RAYS® lightweight wheels with wide 225/40R18 tires, carbon-fiber-look aero accents, unique badging and floor mats. The Rally Edition is a limited production run planned for 1,200 units, all in a stunning Matte Blue paint, guaranteeing exclusivity to its enthusiast owners. 2016 Veloster will be available at dealers in May 2015. In addition, the 2016 Veloster Turbo model now offers a performance-oriented 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a new machined-finish turbo-exclusive wheel design, a sportier seat design, enhanced electroluminescent gauge cluster and black headliner. The Veloster non-turbo receives a new 17-inch wheel design and available black seats with yellow accents. Also for 2016, all Veloster models offer a revised hood appearance without vent accents, a dark gray grille surround, 10mm-wider tires fitted to all 18-inch wheels, and new audio/navigation system functions (HD Radio®, Apple Siri®, and next-generation Blue Link®).