Hyundai, Kia to export 2 million cars in 2011

Hyundai Motor Company and its affiliate Kia Motors are well on track to see their exports rise above 2 million units in one year alone!

Both South Korean carmakers have experienced a high demand for their new vehicles. Sales are up, compared to a year ago and if the current trend of rising sales continues, Kia and Hyundai will export more than 2 million vehicles in one year for the first time.

Through August this year, the top two automakers in Korea have exported a total of 1.44 million new vehicles to worldwide. This is more than 13 percent increase compared to a year ago. Their outbound shipment value jumped 30 percent to $20.6 billion over the same period, revealed KAMA. Last year, Hyundai and Kia exported a total of 1.99 million units worth $25.3 billion.

The sharp increase in sales in overseas markets such as Europe, China, Russia and USA is attributed to increased demand for Hyundai's new Sonata and Elantra sedans, which were the top-selling Hyundai nameplates in the States for the last couple of months.

On the other hand, Kia increased its sales of new Sorento crossover and reports high interest in the up-coming Kia Rio and revised Soul crossover. Read more about Hyundai sales projections here...

SsangYong SUVs to capture 20 percent market in Korea

New vision to bring new models and higher sales, says SsangYong, South Korea's smallest carmaker.

SsangYong revealed a new brand development and sales growth strategy for the next few years.

Called "Aspiration 2016" the new ambitious vision will not only result in more new models hitting the streets of South Korea and other markets, but also means the carmaker will increase its sales significantly and become more competitive player in the automotive field.

According to company's CEO Lee Yoo-il, SsangYong's vision is to become the most innovative and respected Korean automobile company.

Speaking of sales, the carmaker wants to lift its sales from less than 100.000 units achieved last year, to more than 160.000 vehicles by 2013 and hit the 300.000 sales by 2016.

At the same time, SsangYong aims to capture around 20 percent of domestic SUV market share. The company is recognized as a niche carmaker focusing on SUV and crossover vehicle production.

To achieve the above-mentioned sales goals, SsangYong revealed it plans to unveil five facelift models by 2013 and four completely new models by 2016. Some of them will also be zero-pollution electric vehicles.

One of those 4 new vehicles will be the production model of the XIV concept crossover vehicle, which made its debut at Frankfurt Auto Show, last month. The Kia-Soul-crossover sized CUV will feature sporty design and plenty of features at affordable price, say sources close to the carmaker.

You can see more details about the exciting XIV concept by following the link: SsangYong XIV-1

Meanwhile, Hyundai also intends to launch a B-segment SUV withing a year or two, meaning the battle for consumer will intensify further with new-coming models from Hyundai and SsangYong. And Kia might add its share by unveiling the next-generation all-wheel-drive Kia Soul!

SsangYong makes comeback with new XIV-1 concept crossover!

SsangYong, the South Korean fourth largest carmaker, is ready to make a full comeback with release of a 2012 Kia Soul-sized crossover vehicle.

Currently in the concept form, the XIV-1 is more than just a design study and previews the all-new B-segment crossover vehicle that is expected to hit the market within two years.

Initially, the yet-unnamed crossover vehicle from SsangYong will be sold in Korea, while later the carmaker will also offer it at markets outside Korea. This means, the model could soon appear in Europe, Russia and perhaps even in United States.

According to insider reports, SsangYong want to bring the CUV out as quick as possible!

Honestly, we really like the styling of a concept car. It looks by far the most appealing product SsangYong has ever created. Eventhough still in concept form, we are pretty sure that the final model will look pretty close to the concept released at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, yesterday.

Hyundai, Kia watch-out, cause this is a striking crossover vehicle!

Here are a few additional images of the highly-attractive XIV-1 concept:

Kia Rio 3-door debuts in Frankfurt

Kia unveils its all-new 3-door 2012 Rio hatchback at Frankfurt Auto Show!

Already available as a five-door hatch and a four-door sedan, the 2012 Kia Rio expands its range by additional 3-door model.

According to Kia, the 3-door Rio retains the same key exterior dimensions as the 5-door Rio. The 3-door model also adopts the same powertrain technology, meaning the model is available with a wide range of highly efficient three- and four-cylinder engines - with horsepower ratings from 75 hp to 109 hp.

Mated to the engines can be either a six-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission, says Kia. Strangely, the carmaker does not offer the six-speed automatic in Europe, although it is available in the new Rio in USA.

The most interesting of all Rios for us is the one with 1.1L diesel engine. Why? Because it is powered with the same engine that will soon appear in new Hyundai cars.

The 1.1L CRDI unit has impressive horsepower rating for its size (75 horsepower)! Even more impressive is its low fuel consumption of just 3.2 litres per 100 km (88.2 mpg) and record-breaking CO2 rating of just 85 g/km! The lowest CO2 rating among gasoline-powered cars!

When will the same fuel-sipping engine be available in a Hyundai car? We do not know for sure, but it will probably be introduced in a facelifted Hyundai i20, which is scheduled to debut early next year.

First Hyundai i20 prototypes have already been spied testing in the wild. Stay tuned for more news from Frankfurt Auto Show! Find more about 2012 Kia Rio 3 door

Kia Optima Hybrid record

Kia is one of the leaders in the automobile industry when it comes to fuel economy. The carmaker has proved that recently by celebrating the setting of a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle, while driving across all 48 States of the USA!

Drivers Wayne Gerdes from Wadsworth, Illinois, and Chris Bernius from New York City, successfully piloted a factory-standard 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan through a 7,899 mile route across America and achieved an incredible average fuel consumption of 64.55 mpg US (3.64 l/100 km), beating the car’s official EPA highway fuel consumption figure by 61.37 per cent.

Kia's 48 state challenge was completed in 14 days driving an average of 564 miles per day. The Optima Hybrid used just over 5.5 tanks of gasoline to complete the route, recording an average distance of 1,418 miles between fill-ups. To comply with Guinness World Record guidelines, the Optima Hybrid had to carry two people and their luggage throughout the journey.

The record attempt was verified by Philip Robertson, Adjudicator at Guinness World Records, who also presented the drivers with their Guinness World Record certificate at an official handover ceremony at Kia Motors’ manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia on September 12.

The record set is officially titled “Lowest fuel consumption driving through all 48 contiguous U.S. states in a gasoline hybrid car,” which is a new category created by Guinness World Records. In order to qualify for a new record, the Kia Optima Hybrid was required to achieve a minimum of 52.27 mpg, which the fuel-sipping Optima Hybrid exceeded by 23 per cent.

After a send-off by local dignitaries and Kia team members on August 26 at Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, the drivers departed on their epic journey in a clockwise direction, with the two drivers averaging approximately 564 miles per day. They finished their route in the city of Greenville, South Carolina, just over two weeks later on September 9. After a rigorous accreditation process by Guinness World Records, the drivers and car were transported to West Point for the closing ceremony and celebration.

Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, Thomas Oh, commented, “Kia Motors is deeply proud to have set a new Guinness World Record. It is testament to the quality of the design, engineering and production methods of the Kia Optima Hybrid. The drivers had to complete their unsupported drive through all kinds of American terrain and weather conditions and they did it without a single hitch from the Optima Hybrid while setting what is such an impressive fuel consumption figure.

“While travelling across the United States the Optima Hybrid experienced temperatures ranging from more than 118 degrees Fahrenheit to less than freezing point. The team climbed through the formidable Rocky mountain chain and negotiated rush hour traffic in Chicago, New York City and Las Vegas – which makes the Optima Hybrid’s fuel consumption figure all the more impressive,” added Mr Oh.

Record-breaking driver, Wayne Gerdes, said, "The Kia Optima Hybrid was the perfect vehicle for this long road trip. It is spacious, comfortable and fun-to-drive, and the parallel gasoline-electric powertrain provided considerable efficiency at highway speeds and the car performed flawlessly throughout the 7,899 mile drive."

Find more about Kia cars and other South Korean carmakers here...

New Samsung QM5 to challenge Hyundai ix35/Tucson, Kia Sorento CUV

Renault Samsung Motors, which operates in South Korea and exports its cars to a dozen of foreign countries, unveiled its facelifted QM5 crossover vehicle in Korea.

With the new QM5, the Renault Samsung Motors aims to challenge the South Korean crossover rivals such as Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sorento CUVs.

The all-new Samsung QM5 is a slightly redesigned crossover vehicle, which has been on sale in Korea for about two years. The model has also been sold in Europe as Renault Koleos.

The mid-cycle makeover affected the exterior, which now features sportier front fascia with redesigned headlamps and radiator grille that provide the vehicle a more urban style.

The new QM5 features upgraded four-cylinder engines (diesel and gasoline) and slightly redesigned interior lay-out with upper grade materials.

Renault-Samsung hopes that latest styling changes and powertrain upgrades will spawn more interest in the new QM5 crossover in Korea. The company hopes to take some sales from Hyundai ix35 and 2012 Kia Sorento, as well as Kia Sportage crossover.

China: Hyundai sales soar

Hyundai has become the third best-seeling automobile brand in China this year. In the first month of 2011, the South Korean carmaker, which operates two manufacturing plants in China and has another one under construction, sold 72.000 units in January 2011 and 50.717 new vehicles in February 2011.

Despite selling less vehicles than in a month earlier, February sales still represent a 36 percent increase compared to the same month from a year ago. Hyundai's market share also rose 0.9 percentage point from 5.8 percent in January to 6.7 percent in February.

Hyundai's sister company, Kia Motors (Kia Optima colors), has also been successful last month. Although its sales soared only 4.3 percent, the company sold 25.008 new vehicles in the world's largest car market, which was enough to become the 9th largest automobile brand in China.

Hyundai, on the other hand, has taken the No.3 spot among car brands in China, following the Shanghai-Volkswagen and Shanghai-GM taking first and second spot.

Korean market: 2011 new car releases

Korean carmakers, as well as major International automakers plan to launch as much as 20 new cars in South Korea by the end of 2011!

To tempt South Korean consumers, Korean carmakers plant to launch a slew of new models this year. According to Chosunilbo, some 20 new car models will be introduced by domestic carmakers, while rivaling automobile brands plan to import as much as 50 models by the end of the year!


Let's take a look at some of the most important new Korean cars highlights:

Hyundai will launch the all-new Grandeur near-luxury sedan in January. The all-new Grandeur features completely redesigned exterior design, more luxorious interior, improved safety and state-of-the-art powertrain technology. The 2011 Grandeur is ready to chalenge the imports such as BMW 5-series or Audi A6.

Kia will launch its new Morning mini-car. The new model will go on sale in the first quarter of the year. It will make its official premiere at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show.

Hyundai Veloster, a unique three-door sports car, is slated to hit Korean market in February. It will achieve 40 mpg and will feature Hyundai's new six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

Ssangyong will unveil the Korando C crossover, while Chevrolet will launch Orlando MPV and Camaro sports car in March 2011. Following the two will be the Chevrolet Winstorm SUV facelift and Corvette sports car.

Renault-Samsung has a facelifted QM5 on its hands. The model will hit the market in July 2011.

The ChosunIlbo claims that Kia is planing a surprising unveiling of a new box-car, smaller than Soul crossover. We have no details about the vehicle at this moment, however, sources close to Kia state the upcoming mini-car is modeled after Japanese box-type compacts such as the Daihatsu Tanto!

Specifications 2011 kia cadenza

2011 kia cadenza

Specifications 2011 kia cadenza:

Car : 2011 Kia Cadenza
Manufacturer : Kia, South Korea
Engine : 3.5-litre / 290 ps : [ Middle East & General Markets ]
Type : 'Lambda II' Quad-OHC, six-cylinder in V, with dual CVVT
Max power : 290 ps (213 kW) @ 6600 rpm
Max torque : 338 Nm (34.5 kg.m) @ 5000 rpm
Transmission : Automatic 6-sp with fully auto & sequential manual modes
Suspension & Damping, Front : Fully independent by MacPherson Struts.
Rear : Fully independent by Multi-Link rear axle.
Brakes : Front / Rear : 300 x 28 mm ventilated discs / 284 x 10 mm solid discs
Performance Top speed / kph : 230
0-to-100 kph (sec) : 7.2
Fuel Economy, Combined cycle : 9.36 (litres / 100 km)*
CO2 : 223 g/km*

2011 Kia CADENZA Marketed Starting January 2011

2011 Kia CADENZA Marketed Starting January 2011

The all-new Kia sedan CADENZA officially launched in Korea, Wednesday (25/11). This variant will be sold under the name K7. With a length of 4965 mm, CADENZA will take over the primary role of the sedan Kia Opirus previously that in some markets also called Amanti. Designed under the guidance of former Audi design chief Peter Schreyer, CADENZA is the production version of the model concept KND-5 shown in Seoul earlier this year. For those interested, the car with the full name CADENZA 2011 Kia will begin to be marketed freely from January 2010.

In the design of this car looks more masculine and luxurious. The first impression of Peter Schreyer wants emitted from this car is well-balanced proportion, a confidence, dignity and elegant personality. All unfolds clearly not only when looking at the outside face but also the interior and the engine. On the outside of the visible changes headlight mixed with berlist chrome grille, fog lights and extra underneath. Rear lights also replaced new model blends nicely with dual exhaust that 'eye catchy'.

2010 KIA VG

KIA SPORTS COUPÉ CONCEPT