Keema News - Jan 2010

Hyundai Motor Company's daring all-new mid size-sedan, which makes its debut in Australia in a few months, is already breaking records in South Korea, with 100,000 new contracts signed for the car since it went on sale on 17th September last year. The figure equates to more than 1,000 contracts per day since its debut in the domestic market and sets a new record in South Korea's vehicle sales.

Considering the number of contracts signed so far for the all-new model, 10 months of sales have already been secured.

The much anticipated all-new mid-sized sedan, code-named YF, is due to enter the Australian market in the first half of 2010. Its 'fluidic sculpture' styling reflects Hyundai's new design architecture, a philosophy which will make its debut in the upcoming all-new ix35 compact SUV, supporting a broader brand appeal.

"This is an exciting result, and we can't wait to see how Australian buyers react to the car's bold design," said Oliver Mann, Hyundai Motor Company Australia's Director of Marketing. "As well as the all-new sedan, we will also be launching the all-new ix35 SUV and i20 hatch this year."

Adding to an already impressive collection of award wins, including North American Car of the Year for Genesis Sedan in 2009, Hyundai Motor America has been recognised again, this time for the Genesis Coupe which has been named a Best New Car in About.com Cars' annual Best New Cars List for 2010.

The awards keep coming for Hyundai with both Genesis Sedan and its sportier Genesis Coupe sibling achieving a fifth ranking on the prestigious CarsDirect's Top Ten Cars of the Decade Countdown.

"Even though the Hyundai Genesis didn't enter the market until late in the decade, it was a game-changer nonetheless. When introduced, the Genesis marked a huge change for Hyundai," said Armaan Almeida, automotive editor, CarsDirect. "While the Genesis Sedan tackles the full-size luxury segment, its sibling Genesis Coupe takes on sporty two-door cars like the G37 and 370Z. And like its sedan counterpart, it has yet to fail."

Further praise for Genesis, particularly the sporty performance Coupe came from Aaron Gold, a journalist from About.com Cars who stated, "If you're looking at cars like the Nissan 370Z, Ford Mustang, Chevy Cobalt SS or Volkswagen GTI, you'll definitely want to test drive the Genesis Coupe. It's not better, it's not worse -- it's just different. Although, in the case of the Genesis coupe, different is better."

Hyundai's Genesis Sedan, sets a new benchmark in the premium car category, offering performance and luxury features typically only found on vehicles costing thousands of dollars more. Using the same flexible rear-wheel drive architecture, Genesis Coupe is Hyundai's most dynamic performance car ever designed, and confidently appeals to true driving enthusiasts offering a 2.0-litre intercooled four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 157 kW, and a 3.8-litre V6 with 228kW.

"It's very exciting to see overseas Hyundai models being recognised with industry and publishing awards. This is a fantastic way for the Hyundai brand to commence the new decade," said Oliver Mann, Hyundai Motor Company Australia's Director of Marketing. "In Australia, we are preparing for an extremely busy year as we look forward to the upcoming launch of the all-new ix35 SUV in February, followed by the i20 hatch and the daring all-new mid-sized sedan codenamed YF."

Hyundai has enriched and expanded its sponsorship of the 2010 Hyundai Hopman Cup XXII programme, combining a continued commitment to the development of Australian sport with supporting worthy charitable causes, as well as providing exciting ownership benefits.

In conjunction with Kids Tennis Foundation, HYUNDAI ACES has been designed to add fun and excitement to the tournament, while providing much needed funds to offer tennis coaching, for socially and financially disadvantaged children throughout Western Australia.

For EVERY ace served during the tournament, Hyundai will donate to Kids Tennis Foundation $25, with expectations of 400 aces being served and a cheque handover of approximately $10,000 at the completion of the series!

Leader boards on court will track and display the ace tally, and the rolling total of funds for donation will be visible at all times, recognising Hyundai's commitment to "Moving the World" together, a pivotal component of the company's global Corporate Social Responsibility code.

As an added ownership benefit, Hyundai dealers are offering free parking to the first 100 Hyundais to arrive at Car Park #5 for each session of the Hyundai Hopman Cup.

The Hyundai Hopman Cup is in action from 2nd -9th January at the Burswood Entertainment Complex, Perth, with Australia represented by Samantha Stosur and Lleyton Hewitt.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia has made two new appointments as it consolidates on its successful results in 2009 to date.

Damien Meredith has been appointed Director of Sales and Oliver Mann has been appointed Director of Marketing. Between them they bring over four decades of automotive industry experience.

After almost three years with HMCA, Kevin McCann, who has played a key role in the company's success as former Director Sales & Marketing, has left the company as of today.

Hyundai Steel Co., part of the Hyundai Automotive Group, has commenced operation of a brand new, environmentally friendly blast furnace, which makes extensive use of Australian raw materials in the production of high-quality steel for vehicle manufacturing. The furnace is the first in the world to be owned by an automotive group.

Hyundai Steel Co. held a furnace 'lighting' ceremony yesterday (Tuesday 5th January) to celebrate the commencement of operation of the first blast furnace at its all-new integrated steel mill in Dangjin, South Korea.

The mill represents Hyundai Steel's determination to support the group in becoming the world's first fully integrated automotive manufacturing operation globally. "The new steel mill will give our automotive group a competitive edge by allowing us to secure and develop our own supply of high-quality steel," Chairman of the Hyundai Automotive Group, Mr Chung Mong-Koo stated at the ceremony.

This is the most advanced and modern, eco-friendly integrated steel mill in the world. It showcases advanced design and engineering technologies, but more importantly, the No.1 blast furnace employs the latest environmentally-friendly technologies and state-of-the-art emission control methods, reflecting the eco-friendly management philosophy of Chairman Chung, and the Hyundai Group.


Through an investment of 5.84 trillion won (approx. US$5 billion), Hyundai Steel plans to build two blast furnaces. The No. 1 furnace has an annual capacity of 4-million tons and will use a majority of raw materials from Australia. Up to 11-million tons of iron ore and coking coal will be imported from Australia annually, representing an enormous commitment to support local industry and providing a welcome boost to the Australian economy.

The company is aiming to complete its No. 2 blast furnace by early 2011, to reach capacity of 8 million tons a year