Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - (Page 17) SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 • 17 KOREA, INDIA, INDIA BRANDS CHINA CHINA BRANDS Hyundai Motor wants to sell the Indiabuilt i10 minicar in the United States. FUTURE PRODUCT Koreans step up; Indians step cautiously; Chinese step back Rick Kranz MODEL YEAR 2009 2010 Genesis coupe debuts 2011 Accent redesigned Sonata redesigned 2012 Veloster coupe likely debuts rkranz@crain.com Glossary What do the styling terms mean? ■ Freshen: Sheet metal untouched; may include new grille, fascia, headlights or taillights ■ Reskin: Minor changes to sheet metal ■ Restyle: Extensive changes to interior and exterior ■ Re-engineer: Vehicle’s platform or chassis and components receive an extensive makeover to reduce noise, vibration and harshness; and improve qualities such as ride, handling, braking and steering ■ Redesign: New platform; new interior and exterior styling; engine and transmission could be carried over expanded their product lines. The rear-drive 2009 Genesis is an upmarket sedan that Hyundai says HYUNDAI Elantra Touring debuts Sonata freshened Genesis sedan debuts Tuscon redesigned (or 2012) Santa Fe redesigned KIA Optima freshened Sportage freshened Borrego SUV debuts Spectra redesigned Rio redesigned Soul debuts Sorrento redesigned Optima redesigned Amanti redesigned Sportage redesigned Rondo redesigned or restyled Sedona restyled Hyundai and Kia are well-placed to take advantage of U.S. consumers’ thirst for small, fuel-efficient vehicles. But it is too early to gauge the impact that products from Chinese and Indian automakers will have in the United States. The latest installment of Automotive News’ future-vehicle series covers 2009-2012 model year plans for carmakers from South Korea, India and China. Hyundai Motor Co. is preparing a barrage of new products over the next four years. But India’s Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. will tiptoe into the United States. And although there has been lots of talk from Chinese automakers, just one vehicle is penciled in, appearing in 2011. By the end of 2011, executives at Hyundai Motor Co.’s two brands, Hyundai and Kia, will have redesigned most of their vehicles, plus offers the driving experience of a BMW 5-series sedan at a fraction of the cost. Hyundai’s lower-end models will be redesigned, too. A minicar that Hyundai sells in India could be marketed here as a high-mileage, entrylevel hatchback through the Hyundai channel, Kia or both. Each automaker must tackle high fuel prices, tougher CAFE regulations and concerns about emissions. Smaller-displacement engines, turbochargers and at least one hybrid model are planned by Hyundai Motor. At Kia, the tall, boxy 2010 Soul is taking aim at buyers enamored with Toyota’s Scion vehicles. The Soul also will go up against another boxy newcomer, the Nissan Cube. Highlights of the future-vehicle plans for Hyundai and Kia are on Pages 17 and 18. Plans from Mahindra & Mahindra and Chinese automakers appear on Page 19. c Kia makes a mark of its own Kathy Jackson kjackson@crain.com Hyundai and Kia are drifting apart on product strategy. For example, Kia won’t get a scaleddown version of Hyundai’s new reardrive platform. And there are no immediate plans for Kia to get turbochargers like Hyundai’s. Instead, Kia is carving a few niches of its own. In June, Kia opened a $130 million design center at its headquarters campus in suburban Los Angeles. Designers there are in charge of the next-generation Kia vehicles for the United States. They also will get a crack at some vehicles sold outside the country. “The investment in our new corporate campus reaffirms our commitment to the U.S. market and California,” Ahn Byung-Mo, CEO of Kia Motors America, said at the dedication of the new design center. “They will put out the next-generation Kia vehicles for the U.S. and also some for the world.” U.S. stylists so far have designed: The Borrego, a mid-sized SUV that went on sale in July. The Soul, a five-door hatchback that goes on sale in the spring. The all-new Spectra that arrives next summer. And they will continue to be busy. By the end of 2010, Kia executives say every current model sold in this country will get a significant face-lift or a redesign. Kia isn’t saying what will happen after 2010, but Chung Eui-Sun, president of Kia Motors Corp., says new small cars are coming. “We will increase the small cars,” he told Automotive News. “We need to increase the B size, like the Soul.” Here are highlights of Kia’s future vehicle program: i10: Hyundai Motor Co. wants to sell the small, India-built five-door hatchback here. It could be badged as a Hyundai, a Kia or both. Rio: A redesign is due for the 2011 model year. Spectra: The redesigned sedan goes on sale next summer as a 2010 model. A new coupe — Kia’s first — will follow in the fall. The hatchback no longer will be sold in this country. The new Spectra will have styling cues similar to the Koup Concept shown at the 2008 New York auto show. Soul: The boxy compact will debut at the Paris auto show next month. Sales begin in the spring as a 2010 model. Company sources say two four-cylinder engines will be available on the front-wheel-drive car. A five-speed automatic transmission will be offered that can be shifted manually. The car may be priced less than $15,000. The Soul is 159 inches long, about the size of the 2009 Hyundai Accent three-door hatchback. Optima: The mid-sized sedan is freshened for the 2009 model year. It also adds a new, more powerful fourcylinder engine. The new 2.4-liter produces 175 hp, up 13 hp from the previous four-cylinder. The carryover V-6 now produces 190 hp, up from 185. The 2009 model grows 2.6 inches to 189. Changes have been made to the grille and rear fascia to give it a sportier look. Aluminum trim is BRENDA PRIDDY & CO. The Kia Soul, seen in this spy photo, will debut at the Paris auto show. The car may be priced less than $15,000. introduced at the 2007 Detroit auto show. It hints at Kia’s design direction and may have a chance to hit the market, Kia sources say. The small four-seat concept had a 4.6-liter, supercharged V-8 making 400 hp and 400 pounds-feet of torque. The exterior design was sleek and muscular. Borrego: Kia’s first mid-sized SUV went on sale in July. It is Kia’s most expensive model, with a base price of $26,995, including shipping. Loaded with options, the price soars to about $38,000. The Borrego is powered by Kia’s first V-8, a version of the engine in the Hyundai Genesis 4.6. The seven-passenger SUV sits on a body-on-frame chassis. Rondo: The mini-minivan will be redesigned or restyled for the 2011 model year. Sedona: The minivan will be restyled for the 2011 model year. Pickup: Plans for a pickup were killed this year. c The next Kia Spectra will have styling cues from the Koup Concept, shown. added to the interior. The Optima will be redesigned for the 2011 model year. Amanti: The large fwd sedan will be redesigned for the 2011 model year. It will move to the fwd Hyundai Azera platform. Sportage: A freshening is slated for the 2009 model year that adds USB ports for iPods and other devices. A redesign is planned for the 2011 model year. Sorento: The redesigned 2010 Sorento will be converted from a body-on-frame truck to a unibody platform when it goes into production in November 2009. This will be the first vehicle built at Kia’s new plant in West Point, Ga. Kue: This crossover concept was
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - September 1, 2008 Automotive News - September 1, 2008 'Mr. Big Volume' hit again Auto ad spending plummets American Axle to grow outside U.S. Nissan, Renault aim to share more parts Steven Ribet joins Automotive News in Shanghai Salaried workers face the ax Asbury to challenge verdict Lutz wants loan guarantees VW passes Ford as No. 3 global seller in 1st half Suzuki in disguise Dodge hopes smooth ride of coil springs will distinguish Ram Candidates split on union organizing bill Check in the mail? Toyota, Ford can tell 10 CTS stays true to concept GM shifts some vehicle design work to U.S. Infiniti may add cars, big and small BMW slashes production of big engines Toyota cuts sales forecast Chrysler: Viper lures suitors Honda hybrid plan bets big on small cars Ford starts L-M consolidation meetings Obama renews aid offer — industry wants it now Honda taps rainwater to create wetlands U.S. loans could make sense, but can't be a bailout Wanna buy a car? Wanna buy a brand? PPG story recalls Exner's Imperial Toyota goofed on Scion; is Prius next? Editor grows up; import vet pleased Field reps blamed for GM's problems Honda Insight engine isn't noiseless Trucks, Vette fine; rest of GM, blah Reynolds to dealers: Replace aging servers by year end Saddle up! Dem delegates honor slain Arkansas dealer Kia makes a mark of its own Koreans step up; Indians step cautiously; Chinese step back The next batch of new Hyundais: Smaller, more fuel efficient To give fuel economy a boost, Hyundai spends big on r&d U.S. plans fizzle for most Chinese vehicles Mahindra delays U.S. retail launch until 4th quarter of '09 Dealers Personnel Despite tough times, Galpin profits by pimping rides Web service leads grow Uh, I didn't mean to say you should retire Remembering Phil Hill, racing's modest giant Mulally to speak at gadget show GM picks Volt battery supplier Split verdict in fraud case July auto output was up in Japan Bob Fisher Dems reopen the CAFE Hummer, king of the desert? MG remains a no-show in North America Mustang silly Protests could bring ta-ta from Tata The politicians (and I) need a new road map Welburn's design journey began in Philly Automotive News - September 1, 2008 Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - American Axle to grow outside U.S. (Page 1) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - American Axle to grow outside U.S. (Page 2) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Suzuki in disguise (Page 3) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - 10 CTS stays true to concept (Page 4) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - 10 CTS stays true to concept (Page 5) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Chrysler: Viper lures suitors (Page 6) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Chrysler: Viper lures suitors (Page 7) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Obama renews aid offer — industry wants it now (Page 8) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Obama renews aid offer — industry wants it now (Page 9) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Honda taps rainwater to create wetlands (Page 10) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Honda taps rainwater to create wetlands (Page 11) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Field reps blamed for GM's problems (Page 12) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Field reps blamed for GM's problems (Page 13) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Trucks, Vette fine; rest of GM, blah (Page 14) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Saddle up! (Page 15) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Dem delegates honor slain Arkansas dealer (Page 16) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Koreans step up; Indians step cautiously; Chinese step back (Page 17) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - To give fuel economy a boost, Hyundai spends big on r&d (Page 18) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Mahindra delays U.S. retail launch until 4th quarter of '09 (Page 19) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Personnel (Page 20) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 21) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 22) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 23) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 24) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Uh, I didn't mean to say you should retire (Page 25) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Uh, I didn't mean to say you should retire (Page 26) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - July auto output was up in Japan (Page 27) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Bob Fisher (Page 28) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Bob Fisher (Page 29) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Welburn's design journey began in Philly (Page 30) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Welburn's design journey began in Philly (Page 31) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Welburn's design journey began in Philly (Page 32)
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