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Genesis changes its mind on retail plans

Genesis will apparently open the doors to its nascent dealership network to all existing Hyundai dealers, reversing its earlier plan to launch a separate, much more limited retail network as a way to distinguish the brand. The brand's general manager, Erwin Raphael, told Hyundai's dealer council last week that Genesis would allow all Hyundai dealers the opportunity to sell the luxury brand in the U.S. That amounts to a 180 on plans announced in January, when the two-year-old spinoff said it planned to build out a network of about 100 Genesis retailers in around 48 mostly urban luxury markets, with first dibs on the franchises going to high-performing Hyundai dealers. The plan was to have separate branding, with the long-term goal of having them all operating out of standalone facilities after launching in temporary or shared showrooms. Per Automotive News, Genesis will no longer confine its sales to those 48 markets. All Hyundai dealerships will be able to apply to be licensed as Genesis dealers, though 2019 models will only be shipped to the newly franchised Genesis retailers. About 350 "elite" Hyundai dealerships that already sell the G80 and G90 sedans can continue to sell them, or take previously offered settlement money and move on. Those who become or remain Genesis dealers will have to sign new or separate franchise agreements that were expected to go out this week or next. Genesis will still require separate, standalone stores and service facilities. The news will likely please Hyundai dealers who have been frustrated or confused by Genesis's rollout strategy and are eager to play a role in the brand's growth. It also could provide a sales lift for Genesis, whose sales during the first four months of 2018 fell 17.5 percent to 5,390. They'll also be hoping for a boost when the compact G70 sedan launches this summer. Related Video:

Hyundai i30 comes to America as the 2018 Elantra GT

At last year's Paris Auto Show, Hyundai revealed its clean and classy i30 hatchback, with the promise that it would arrive in the US as the Elantra GT. The company has fulfilled that promise and then some, bringing us the same attractive hatch, but with even more power. Visually and structurally, the car is pretty much identical. The lines aren't fussy, and the look is more upright than its predecessor. The interior is reasonably attractive, but we wish the infotainment display was better integrated with the dash like the Elantra sedan's dash. View 52 Photos The big differences are under the hood. The European i30 features an array of gas and diesel engines, and the most potent of which produced only about 140 horsepower. In the United States, the least powerful Elantra GT is the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-4 that makes 162 horsepower. And if that's not enough, a Sport version will be offered with Hyundai's 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter. The Elantra GT Sport, like its sedan counterpart, also picks up a few other improvements. It trades in the standard hatch's torsion bar rear suspension for a multi-link set-up. It also moves up to 18-inch alloy wheels, instead of the standard 17-inch alloys, and larger front and rear disc brakes. The interior gets some sportier accoutrements, too. View 6 Photos All Elantra GTs will be available with a number of premium options, including leather, dual-zone climate control, cruise control with start and stop functionality, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist. You'll also be able to use Hyundai's Blue Link Alexa feature. Interested buyers will be able to check out an Elantra GT at dealer lots this summer, but Hyundai has not yet released pricing. Related Video: Related Gallery 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT | 2017 Chicago Auto Show View 9 Photos Image Credit: Hyundai Chicago Auto Show Hyundai Hatchback Economy Cars

No diesels in the running for 2016 Green Car Of The Year

It's a new era for the Green Car Of The Year. In the past, the theme of the award was to take a broad look at alternative powertrains and pick the best among them. "Clean diesels" from the Volkswagen group were often among the finalists and won the award twice. For the 2016 edition - which will be handed out at the LA Auto Show next month - not a single diesel made the list. There's little wonder why. Green Car Journal, which names the winner with a panel of experts, had to strip two VW brand vehicles of their past wins. The 2009 VW Jetta TDI, which won in 2008, and the 2010 Audi A3 TDI, which won in 2010, have both lost their titles now that the world knows about the "defeat devices" that VW installed in many of its TDI vehicles around the world. So, what does that leave us with for 2016? Two plug ins, a hybrid, and two gas vehicles. The two electric vehicle are the Audi A3 e-tron and the Chevy Volt, while the all-new Toyota Prius (which will come with a plug-in version later) is the lone pure hybrid. Rounding out the pack are two efficient gas models: the Hyundai Sonata and the Honda Civic. This is the tenth year for the Green Car Of The Year, and it will be interesting to see if diesels can come back into the award's good graces (for the record, no diesels were among the finalists in 2013, either) in the future. For now, we'd like to know who you think should win. You can read more about the finalists in the press release below and then cast your vote in our poll. Show full PR text FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2016 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR Green Car Journal to Reveal Winner of 11th Annual Award at LA Auto Show Press & Trade Days, November 19 LOS ANGELES, CA (October 15, 2015) – Green Car Journal has announced its five finalists for the magazine's prestigious 2016 Green Car of the Year® award. The 2016 models include the Audi A3 e-tron, Chevrolet Volt, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Prius. An increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year® program each year, a reflection of the auto industry's expanding efforts in offering new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved environmental impact. Green Car Journal has been honoring the most important "green" vehicles every year at the LA Auto Show, since its inaugural award announced at the show in 2005.