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Hyundai missing Q1 earnings targets blamed on slow US sales

Slow US growth is hampering profits at Hyundai. In its first quarter financial statement, the Korean automaker reported a profit of 1.93 trillion won ($1.86 billion). According to Reuters, this is less than analysts' expectations and nearly the same as last year.
According to the report, US sales fell by 3 percent in Q1 2014. To make matters worse, the high value of the South Korean currency caused lower profits on models exported from there. On the bright side, Hyundai's Chinese sales rose by 9 percent, according to Reuters. It's also working on building a fourth factory there.
The company has had a rough time in the US throughout the quarter. John Krafcik, the CEO of Hyundai of America, stepped down on January 1, and the company was already predicting slow growth in sales for 2014. Falling quality scores for the Sonata and Elantra aren't helping matters either. However, there may be hope on the way. The second-generation Genesis Sedan was introduced to the US in Detroit, and the redesigned Sonata was recently shown in New York. Successful launches of these important models could prove crucial.

Genesis coupe getting 3.3T and all-wheel drive

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe looks to be getting a serious jolt of performance when the next-gen model hits the market. An example was recently spotted testing that wore the label "3.3T 8AT AWD," according to The Korean Car Blog citing Korean website Team Testdrive. That designation certainly didn't take much work to interpret. The turbocharged 3.3-liter engine under the hood was likely the twin-turbo V6 that Hyundai has been developing for the next-gen Genesis sedan for 2017 or 2018. With engineering still underway, the final specs for the turbocharged mill obviously haven't been published yet. However, Hyundai America's CEO previously suggested output in the neighborhood of the 420 horsepower from the company's current 5.0-liter V8. In addition, the V6 should weigh less and provide better fuel economy. According to The Korean Car Blog, the twin-turbo V6 would likely be for an N Performance variant of the Genesis Coupe. Given the rest of the test car's label, it would presumably pair the engine with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. With 348 hp from the 3.8-liter V6 in the current model, the new mill could be quite a potent upgrade. The next-gen Genesis Coupe is rumored to take styling inspiration from the Hyundai HND-9 Sports Coupe Concept (pictured above). While remaining a two-door, it can reportedly fit four adults more comfortably inside. Spy shots earlier this year showed one testing with the current model's body but modifications to the hood and fender arches. The engine was thought to be a V8 at the time, but perhaps this twin-turbo V6 was actually in there.

Facelifted Hyundai ix35/Tucson shows up

It looks as though Hyundai has readied a facelifted version of its ix35 crossover (known as the Tucson here in the U-S-of-A) for the Geneva Motor Show next week. While we haven't been able to get the Korean automaker to cough up the official details - or more than one image - reports indicate that the new Euro CUV will get revisions to the engine lineup, technology offerings and more.
The Hyundai's sheetmetal has been nipped and tucked from the looks of the photo, with bolder, bi-xenon headlamps and LED running lights the most obvious alterations. Inside we're told to keep an eye out for improved materials and a new, larger TFT infortainment control screen.
Expect clearer intel about both the ix35 and the home-market Tucson no later than next week, and most likely a bit earlier.