2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring Se / Gls Hatchback 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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How a Texas Hyundai dealer became the Chevy SSR king

The SSR isn't one of the most appreciated vehicles in Chevy's long history. With a style amalgamating the look of a vintage hotrod, convertible and a pickup, it's really serving a niche market right from the start. However, a Hyundai dealer in Texas has turned selling the cult models into a booming business and has become the de facto king of the quirky truck. According to Automotive News, Paul Peebles runs North Freeway Hyundai in Spring, TX, but he's better known in the Chevy SSR community the premiere seller of the weird model through his used car network. The odd venture started in 2010 when Peebles wanted to boost his pre-owned business and bought several sporty vehicles. Among them were five SSRs, and he threw a cookout for owners to get the word out. Things just ballooned from there. Since then, Peebles' used car dealer has had a hand in 447 SSR transactions, and some of those are the same truck coming back to sell again. With just over 24,000 of them out there, that works about to two percent of the model's production moving through just one business. The dealership also sponsors an SSR owners' forum online. Being a major broker for a niche model also means that Peebles often gets rare examples of the SSR, including some of the Indianapolis 500 pace car versions, according to Automotive News. We even saw a bizarre one last year when the business put this shark-inspired truck on eBay Motors. The whole thing also works out well for Peebles' Hyundai business. Specializing in SSRs brings other performance models in as trade-ins, and they can draw folks to the lot to check out the collection. Then, maybe visitors can take a look at a Sonata, too.

Ex-Hyundai CEO Krafcik joins TrueCar board amidst IPO plans

Former Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik has had a tumultuous year. Last June, he won the Automotive Executive of the Year from DNV Business Assurance. Then in December, he suddenly announced he was stepping down from his leadership role at the Korean automaker on January 1, with some suggesting it was because the company's sales growth was too far below forecasts. Now, it looks like the exec has landed a new role on the board of directors of online car shopping website TrueCar.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Krafcik's role will be to build relationships with automakers and dealers, but the job at TrueCar won't be full time. Since leaving Hyundai, Krafcik has also been doing consulting work in Silicon Valley. "It's helped me understand what I might want to do, full, full time. I am just taking things at the appropriate pace," he said to the Journal.
Krafcik, who is widely considered one of the industry's top executives, took the helm at Hyundai America in 2008 and led it to an increase in sales and market share. He was with the company when it won North American Car of the Year awards in 2009 and 2012 for the Genesis and Elantra, respectively.

Hyundai Super Bowl ads use humor, Ryan Reynolds to sell 2017 Elantra

If you watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, expect to see a lot of Hyundai advertising. The South Korean automaker has two spots set to air during the game and two others that will premier before kick-off. The in-game commercials are now online, and they both use humor to market the 2017 Elantra. Ryanville (above) is an odd commercial about a town full of Ryan Reynolds clones, and two smitten women drive through the village to gawk at the actor. It's a forgettable ad unless you really like Reynolds, but Hyundai gets plenty of opportunities to show off the Elantra, including features like the available pre-collision braking. If you want something with a little more action, watch The Chase (below). Angry bears run after a frightened couple, and the Elantra's voice-activated start feature allows the people to get out of trouble in the nick of time. The ad finishes with a little humor to lighten the mood. This commercial still isn't memorable, but it's the better one of this pair. Hyundai hasn't released either ad for before the Super Bowl yet. First Date will star comedian Kevin Hart in a spot for the Genesis sedan, and Better will highlight the automaker's desire to improve its vehicles and customer experience. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Kevin Hart and Ryan Reynolds Serve Up Humor While Showcasing Latest Hyundai Vehicle Technologies FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 28, 2016 – In its first year as an official NFL sponsor, Hyundai will delight Super Bowl 50 fans with four entertaining ads set to run on Super Bowl Sunday. Hyundai will run a 60-second ad in the coveted pre-kick time slot, two 30-second ads during the game and a 60-second ad during the pre-game show. With help from A-list celebrities Kevin Hart and Ryan Reynolds, Hyundai will highlight the safety, technology and convenience features of its all-new 2017 Elantra and premium 2016 Genesis sedan. Hyundai will build on the creative digitally with heavy social media activity that will drive additional anticipation and awareness of the Super Bowl spots. Creative was developed by Hyundai's agency of record, INNOCEAN Worldwide. "Super Bowl Sunday is our opportunity to participate in the most-watched TV and live event in the U.S.