Keema News - Mar 2010

In the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) in the United States, Hyundai Motor Company has again improved its quality rating.

The long term quality survey recognised Hyundai Motor Company as one of only six volume brands to perform significantly better than the non-premium average. Hyundai moved up three rank positions over the 2009 study. An overall score for Hyundai of 148 problems per 100 vehicles is seven problems fewer than the industry average and nine fewer than last year.

The result follows Hyundais strong overall showing in J.D Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS), when the brand ranked fourth among all nameplates, behind only premium brands Lexus, Porsche and Cadillac.

The 2010 VDS study measures problem symptoms of three-year-old vehicles in categories such as vehicle exterior, driving experience, features/controls/displays, audio, seating, air conditioning, interior, engine and transmission. The VDS is one of three J.D. Power and Associates quality studies, along with the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which measures quality after 90 days of ownership, and the Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study, which measures customer perceptions on the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles.

At work or play, Nissans gutsy, new top-of-the-range Series 4 Navara ST-X Dual Cab utility offers an unbeatable combination of mountainous torque, muscular good looks

and a trove of additional equipment.

On or off-road, the new Navara ST-X is the one to beat.

Now available with an upgraded 140kW/450Nm 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, improved

exterior and interior design, luxury equipment such as dual zone climate control plus

a full complement of active and passive safety features including ESP stability control,

the Navara ST-X provides a class leading option for dual cab customers.

than the new Series 4 Nissan Navara ST-X Dual Cab with its improved 2.5-litre fourcylinder

diesel engine which now boasts more power and torque, lower emissions and

major fuel savings.

Now producing an athletic 140kW of power (up from 126kW) and a beefy 450Nm of

torque (up from 403Nm), it beats its rivals into submission.

The already punchy common rail engine has been tuned by Nissans R&D team.

exhaust emissions are also reduced and refinement levels are increased.

The changes include a new direct injection system, which operates at 2000 bar, up

from 1800 bar. This increase in pressure means the fuel spray is atomised to an even

A new cylinder head with parallel ports increases the swirl efficiency of the

combustion process, smoothing the intake and exhaust flow, while a new variable

generating quicker responses, has also been adopted.

These improvements not only raise power, but also lower fuel consumption and

warm up more quickly from a cold start, cutting emissions of hydrocarbons and soot

still further.

The overall result is a useful 11 percent rise in power and torque to keep the engine

at the top of the class. Power rises to 140kW and torque increases by a pounding

47Nm to 450Nm.

Over the combined fuel cycle test 6-speed manual versions use just 8.5-litres of

diesel per 100km, a substantial 1.3-litres less fuel (or 13 percent) less than before.

The 5-speed automatic ST-X Dual Cab saves even more fuel at 9.0 litres/100kms

versus 10.5 litres/100kms of the previous model a14 percent saving.

Additionally, CO2 emissions are cut substantially by 40g/km to 224g/km.

performance whether idling or under acceleration.

The 198kW V6 4.0-litre petrol engine currently offered in the ST-X continues

unchanged.

assembly, which add 80mm to the overall length. The bumper is more rounded and

As well as visual improvements, the changes to the design also contribute to a

contributing to cabin refinement.

Flame Red.

CVT equates to;

• Continuously
• Variable
• Transmission

The CVT supplies automatic transmission requirements across the new Liana and the SX4 range. In this instance the CVT is made by Jatco in Japan

The beauty of CVT lies in its simplicity. The operation utilises a steel belt and a pair of hydraulically controlled variable width pulleys. These pulleys are contained inside the transmission and as the pulley width varies continuously, so does the gear ratio.

Gear ratios are widely spaced from the lowest gear to the highest, (2.349 to 0.394 respectively). When compared with some conventional transmissions, high speed gear in the CVT can be as much as twice the ratio of a conventional transmission, thus maximising fuel economy. Gear shifting is completely electronically controlled by the onboard computer; sensing wheel speed, engine speed and torque, continuously adjusting ratios to suit the driver's demands and road conditions.

The CVT provides continuous step-less shifting and super smooth vehicle acceleration, all without losing engine power. As the vehicle accelerates, engine power and torque are maintained at maximum with no loss of momentum, compared to a conventional automatic transmission which loses both power and torque between gear changes.

Manual shifting mode can also be selected. In this mode the CVT computer locks the pulley into one of six pre-determined positions to replicate a manual gear ratio selection, thus providing the driver with six speed manual operation for a more sporty drive. In fact, the Liana Sedan and high spec SX4 "S Series" even boast transmission shift paddles on the steering wheel, just like a Formula 1 racing car.

To see the CVT working demonstration, please click the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hc21W9LmYM

Hyundai has posted its best ever sales ranking since the brand started selling cars in Australia in 1986. The sales result of 7,208 units was also its best ever February result.

Hyundais market share of 8.8% represents the best ever monthly market share result and the second best monthly sales result since the factory established the wholly owned subsidiary Hyundai Motor Company Australia in 2003.

In a total market that has increased +17% (February YTD 2010 v. February YTD 2009), Hyundai Motor Company Australia has achieved an overall increase in sales of +73.6%.

iLoad posted its best ever sales result of 657 units and best ever market share of 33.7%, ranking first in the van segment for the first time.

The team at Hyundai and the Hyundai Dealer network are excited that more Australians are considering Hyundai when they are looking for a new car, said Damien Meredith, Hyundais Director of Sales. The all-new ix35 compact SUV was launched last month and we have the i20 compact hatch and i45 mid-sized sedan launching before the middle of the year.

Hyundai Motor Companys global sales also increased +23.4% (February YTD 2010 v. February YTD 2009). In South Korea, the all-new i45 mid-sized sedan sold 12,217 units, making it the best selling domestic model.

Hyundais Australian highlights include:
Hyundais result in January of 7,208 units (8.8% share) represents a +73.6% volume increase over its achievement of 4,151 units (5.9% share) in February 2009.
iLoad ranked first in the van segment after posting its best ever sales result of 657 units and a 33.7% market share.
iMax ranked second in the people mover market, posting its best ever sales result (202 units) and market share (23.6%).
The i30 range ranked third in the small car segment, posting a sales result of 2,926 units and a 15.6% market share.
Getz ranked first in the light car segment achieving 1,927 vehicle sales and a 17% market share.

Hyundais global highlights include:
Hyundais South Korean domestic sales rose +9.2% to 48,981 units in February from 44,848 units a year earlier, aided by two all new models, ix35 compact SUV and the all-new i45 mid-sized sedan.
In South Korea last month the all-new i45 mid-sized sedan, which went on sale in September 2009, sold 12,217 units making it South Koreas best selling model.
Total overseas sales, including both exports from South Korea and sales from overseas plants, rose by +27.3% to 202,014 units in February, up from 158,630 units a year earlier.
Exports were up +3.9% in February as compared to a year earlier.
Sales from overseas plants rose 43.9% percent to 133,797 units, led by China and India.

The Nissan LEAF will deliver a new level of personal mobility combined with zero emission environmental responsibility when it goes on sale overseas later this year. The world is changing and Nissan is a catalyst for that change, said Pierre Loing, Vice President, Product and Advance Planning, Nissan International SA previewing the Nissan

LEAF at the recent 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

from a mainstream manufacturer. It is serious car, a real car, and the right car for the times.

Created as a clean sheet design, Nissan LEAF is a roomy five-seater family hatchback

offering all the space, practicality and performance of any of its conventional rivals

but with one notable difference. It is a pure EV, promising no tailpipe emissions and low

Australian deliveries expected to begin in 2012.

Our car had to be the worlds first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford

as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility.

Nissan LEAF is just the first in a range of EVs due from the company and from Nissans

Alliance partner Renault. A delivery van, a small crossover SUV and even a unique

motorcycle that leans are other variants under investigation.

Through their development of Nissan LEAF, Nissan and Renault have gained the initiative

on key Save the Planet technology.

Rather than devote time and resources on hybrid power or electric conversion of existing

In Europe, sales will initially be to stakeholders, fleet operators and private customers.

Among the stakeholder customers are major rental companies Europcar and Hertz, both of

whom have signed MoUs with Nissan.

In Australia, Nissan has signed MoUs with the States of New South Wales and Victoria to

15 March 2010

help his company explore the path to emission-free motoring with the government

instrumentalities concerned.

A reliable and omnipresent recharging network is a desired complement of electric

vehicle mobility and we hope these discussions will contribute towards that realization,

said Thompson.

He said Nissan was also investigating different sales options, including purchase of the car

and lease of the battery and leasing of both car and battery.

Whichever route is chosen, the end result, once government incentives and total

ownership running costs have been factored in and we will be able to provide a car at an

affordable price in line with comparable vehicles in its segment.

As well as selling to fleet customers, we will also be targeting private customers, early

adopters who understand the benefits of zero emission vehicles, he said.

The first cars will be manufactured at Nissans plant in Oppama, Japan, with an initial

annual capacity of 50,000 units, but production will start at a second plant in Smyrna,

Tennessee in 2012 to meet anticipated global demand.

Battery manufacture has already started in Japan, but Nissan has announced that new

battery plants will be established in Portugal and the UK, as well as at Smyrna, Tennessee

Nissan also plans to manufacture the cars in Europe in the future.

The electric motor is fuelled by an advanced Nissan-developed laminated lithium-ion

battery with a power output of more than 90kW. The 48-module battery is mounted under

the seats and floor of Nissan LEAF. Regenerative energy reclaimed under braking and

coasting is fed directly to the b