Keema News

European Automobile Manufacturers' Association reported recently that Kia, together with its parent Hyundai Motor Company, outsold Toyota in Europe in the first half of the year. In addition to that, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group also beat its main Japanese rival in the fast growing China market!

According to the report, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group was the best-selling Asian automaker in Europe during the first six months of the fiscal year. The South Korean auto giant sold nearly 3,000 automobiles more than Toyota, which saw its sales plummeting 11 percent, compared to a year ago. Speaking of decreasing Toyota sales,sales of other Japanese carmakers, such as Honda and Suzuki, also fell sharply. Their sales plunged by 21 and 20 percent, respectively.

During the first six months, Kia Motors sold 138,357 vehicles, while Hyundai Motor Company sold 191,338 vehicles in the European market. According to European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, the combined total of 329,695 units is 2,904 more than Toyota's sales of 326,791.

Both South Korean carmakers also managed to increase their market shares. Hyundai's market share rose 0,3 percent to 2,6 percent, while Kia's market share soared 0,2 percent to 1,8 percent.

Hyundai-Kia sales in China

As mentioned above, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group -HKAG also beat Toyota in China. During the first six months of 2010, HKAG sold a total of 489,500 vehicles in China, where sales have grown 39 percent compared to a year ago! In June alone, combined sales of Hyundai-Kia cars soared 16.2 percent year on year to 79.086 units.

Combined sales of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in China are expected to top 1 million units this year. To achieve the 1 million sales, both automakers plan to introduce several new models to Chinese consumers. According to some automobile media reports, Kia is going to introduce a modified Cerato model, slightly updated Forte sedan and new Sportage crossover by the year's end in China, while Hyundai is all set to roll-out new Sonata sedan and Accent sub-compact sedan

One of the newest cars in the nation is the Suzuki Kizashi. It takes the well established Japanese manufacturer into the mid-size market segment for the first time.

Suzuki's products are highly prized. For example, the Swift has been Next Car's most respected light car for the past five years. Whilst the SX4 and the four-wheel drive Grand Vitara are highly regarded competitors in their respective segments. Value is always a consideration with Suzuki. Such an attribute is always appreciated by the buyers too!

The Kizashi 4 door sedan arrives here in a choice of two trim levels. The base model is known as "XL", whilst the top of the range is the "XLS". Both models have a choice of a six-speed manual (with two overdrive ratios) or continuous variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The Kizashi measures in at 4,650 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. The width is 1,820 mm and height is 1,480 mm.

Motive power is provided by a 2.4 litre in-line four cylinder engine. The power rating comes in at 131 kW at 6,500 rpm whilst the torque is rated at 230 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The engine is based on the unit which powers the Grand Vitara.

Fuel usage for the "combined cycle" is rated at 7.9 litres per 100 kms for each variant, according to factory tests. The fuel tank has a capacity of 63 litres.

Power steering, 5 x 17" alloy wheels and four-wheel disc brakes are standard. So, too, are six airbags and electronic stability programme (ESP).

Other features for the Kizashi XL include dual-zone air conditioning, power windows (auto up/down for both front windows), tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustments, height adjustment for the driver's seat, split rear seatbacks, keyless ignition, audio system with single-disc CD player (MP3 capable with USB connectivity) with steering wheel mounted remote control and seven speakers, together with remote door locking. Whilst the automatic version also features a leather wrapped steering wheel and cruise control.

Our road test car was the Suzuki Kizashi XL sedan, fitted with the optional automatic transmission. It is priced from $$30,490* (manual is $2,500 less).

For this road test, we covered 868 kms on a drive between Melbourne and Albury, including some suburban motoring in Melbourne.

On the road we enjoyed the powerful performance, although a little 'torque steer' was experienced under strong acceleration from a standing start on a number of occasions. But the Kizashi is a delightful car to drive. Inside the car, the designers have managed to package up everything so that the occupants have quite a decent amount of space for a car in this market segment. Front seats feature nice bolsters, but no lumbar support. There are good sized 'pockets' on the front door trims. Good legroom is provided for the back seat passengers. The boot space is quite useful too (461 litres).

For folks wanting more for their Kizashi, the "XLS" version features 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, 10-way power operated driver's seat with memory, 4-way power operated front passenger seat, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, 10-speaker 425 watt AM/FM/CD Rockford Fosgate audio system, sunroof, photochromatic interior rear view mirror, leather upholstery, self-levelling High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and parking assist sensor system (front and rear).

It's the aforementioned value proposition which will ensure the Suzuki Kizashi makes an immediate impression on the Australian new car market. Not only is the car priced well, it is a particularly well presented sedan with good road manners together with a comfortable and roomy interior. Suzuki has done it again, providing a desirable vehicle with good value!

NOTE: * MLP (manufacturer's list price) excludes options, dealer delivery fees and the various statutory charges. Additionally, prices and specifications are always subject to change without notice.

The 2010 NRMA Motoring & Services 'Cost of Ownership' report has been released with Hyundai Motor Company Australia's multi-award winning i30 SX CRDi turbo diesel manual once again confirmed as outright winner for the competitive and popular small car category.

With a whole of life weekly running cost total of just $114.73, the i30 SX CRDi turbo-diesel manual is the most cost effective vehicle to own and operate in its class.

In fact, Hyundai model variants took out six of the top ten places in the small car category.
The price of fuel plays a key role in family budgets with fluctuations as much as 70 cents recorded during the survey period. The Hyundai i30 SX CRDi turbo diesel result of $19.82 per week for fuel was the lowest overall for the survey across all categories helping it achieve outstanding results for the small car segment. The i30 SX CRDi manual also achieved the lowest running costs per week across all the categories with running costs of just $49.94 per week.

"Hyundai cars performed well in this year's survey. The i30 SX CRDi is the current Australia's 'Best Mid-size Car Under $30,000' and continues to be very competitive with the segment's lowest whole of life costs," said NRMA Head of Member Motoring, Brad O'Hara. "Motorists want to know dollar for dollar exactly what their car will cost them to run and the running costs calculator is the most comprehensive analysis tool available in Australia."

The NRMA's running costs calculator is Australia's most accurate cost calculator and was used to analyse the operating and ownership costs of 620 new vehicles in the 2010 report. The data covers variables such as fuel, cost of purchase, service and maintenance, insurance and depreciation and takes into account vehicle safety and greenhouse ratings.

"This is an outstanding accolade for the i30 SX CRDi manual to receive for the second year in a row," said Hyundai Motor Company Australia's Marketing Director, Oliver Mann. "Consumers are very conscious of the impact motor vehicles have in their weekly family budgets, and Hyundai are proud to be able to deliver the highest levels of safety, efficiency, economy and value in all of our vehicles."

Calculations are for private ownership in New South Wales, based on 15,000 kilometres travelled annually over an ownership period of five years. The formula takes into account the negotiated vehicle price, depreciation, opportunity interest, registration, comprehensive insurance, NRMA membership, maintenance and repairs and fuel.

The Suzuki Alto has just gained an added lead on its rivals with a 2.2 per cent improvement to its official fuel economy figure.

This adds to its credits earned with NRMA, judging it the least expensive car to own and operate amongst a field of over 600 vehicles.

The addition of new low-rolling resistance tyres sees the manual Alto's combined fuel economy drop to 4.7 litres per 100km, with CO2 emissions also falling by almost 3 per cent to 110 grams per km.

The automatic model scores a 3.9 per cent improvement on economy to 5.3 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions fall to 126 grams per km.

"Alto is without doubt one of the best value car choices on the market and this economy upgrade is the added proof," said Suzuki Australia general manager, Tony Devers.

"It ranks amongst the greenest vehicles on the planet and has a starting price almost three times less than that of any hybrid vehicle. It is the practical, quality, low-running cost vehicle that also offers great performance, high levels of safety and now even better fuel economy.

The Suzuki Alto GL is priced from $12,490 drive away and the GLX model from $12,990 drive away.

Five of the top ten most fuel-efficient cars produced since 1984 are Honda vehicles with the first-generation Honda Insight taking out the top honour, according to a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study.

The first-generation Honda Insight is followed by the 1986-1987 Honda Civic Coupe HF in fifth place, the 1994-1995 Honda Civic HB VX in sixth, 2006-2010 Honda Civic Hybrid in seventh and the 2010 Honda Insight in eighth place.

The first-generation Honda Insight achieved 53 miles per gallon (combined city and highway), beating the 2010 Toyota Prius by three miles per gallon