Category: Hyundai

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Hyundai WRC

Chris Atkinson joins Hyundai WRC program

Chris Atkinson

In promising news for Chris Atkinson’s on-again off-again WRC career he has been signed to Hyundai’s WRC program. At this stage it’s a test role only and he’ll be behind the wheel of an i20 WRC prototype later this week.

“It is great to be able to integrate Chris into Hyundai Motorsport testing line-up for this season and I am convinced he will bring a lot of valuable WRC experience,” Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan said. “Chris will support the work of our main test drivers Juho and Bryan. With the combined expertise of all three test drivers, we will be able to benefit from thorough and comprehensive input at every test session.”

Atkinson revealed he was at Hyundai’s WRC headquarter a few weeks ago and hopes his experience will be of value to the team. “It is such an exciting project,” he said. “After visiting the Hyundai Motorsport factory three weeks ago, I am simply impressed by the team’s commitment and achievements so far.

“I have a lot of experience of many different WRC cars and events, and I will utilise this knowledge to support the development of the 2014 i20 WRC car.”

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2013 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2013 Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show is still underway over in Europe and while we’re sure almost all of our readers would love to be there we’re doing the best we can to bring you a little closer to the action. Here is the first installment of over 250 pictures from the show, from Alfa Romeo to Lamborghini, which includes some of the great and not so great models on display.

That Lamborghini’s not getting any prettier is it.

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Hyundai Motor Shows WRC

Geneva 2013: Hyundai i20 WRC update

Hyundai i20 WRC

Last September Hyundai officially announced they would be launching a WRC assault with its i20 hatchback. They’re now using the Geneva Motor Show to update the world on their progress.

Aside from the slick looking black paint job the i20 WRC has had revisions to its aerodynamic package and chassis and suspension tune. Hyundai has also announced they plan to start competing in the 2014 WRC season, using the bulk of 2013 to undergo private testing.

Team Principal Michael Nandan said: “We are still in the infancy of our exciting WRC programme so the development curve for the car and team is steep. This latest version of the i20 WRC has centred on aerodynamics with the objective of improving the car’s cooling systems.

“Building up a new motorsport facility from scratch is an ambitious and rewarding challenge. We have begun the recruitment process but already have a number of key people in place who bring with them a wealth of rally and motorsport experience.

“Hyundai has returned to the World Rally stage to demonstrate its technical capabilities on one of the world’s most competitive stages. Our ultimate goal is to be victorious but we know that we have a lot of tough competition ahead of us. We will use this year to lay the solid foundations but hope to advance quickly as 2014 approaches.”

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New vehicle sales report – December 2012

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A round of applause for Australia’s car buying public who achieved an all-time record of 1,112,032 sales in 2012. It’s only the fifth time Australians have bought more than 1 million cars in a calendar year. Last year’s results represent an overall increase of 10.3% (103,595 sales) compared with 2011.

FCAI Chief Executive, Tony Weber, explained demand for a wider range of vehicles helped to fuel the record result. “Reduced tariffs as well as changing consumer preferences have contributed to making the dynamic and innovative automotive industry that we have today,” he said.

“The 2012 sales result bears that out. Customer demand has been high and the industry has responded with a wide range of vehicles powered by a range of different fuels.”

When you read the material after the break it seems that almost everyone’s a winner except Holden and Ford. The General returned a 9.1% drop in sales compared with 2011, but managed to hold its position as the country’s second-best seller. Although, Mazda is snapping at its heels. Meanwhile, Ford held station, to a degree, returning a 0.9% drop in sales against 2011.

However, when you consider market-leader Toyota increased its annual sales by 20.1%—coupled with strong improvements from other top 10 selling brands like Honda (+18.9%), Mazda (+17.6%), Nissan (+17.4%), Subaru (+18.2%) and Volkswagen (22.6%)—we can’t imagine there’s too many smiles in the boardrooms at Fisherman’s Bend and Broadmeadows.

Individually, the Mazda3 managed to top the charts for 2012, notching up 44,128 sales. Close behind were Toyota’s HiLux (40,646) and Corolla (38,799).

It used to be that one in every four cars sold in Australia was either a Commodore or a Falcon. Not anymore. The Commodore was the fourth-best selling model (30,532 sales), while the Falcon didn’t even make it into the top 10.

Despite 2012’s record result Tony Weber expects a small drop in annual sales for 2013. “During this election year, and with production now having caught up with back orders, FCAI forecasts a national automotive market of 1,075,000 for 2013,” he said.

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New vehicle sales report – November 2012

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Well done Australia, for the first time on record you’ve bought more than 1 million new vehicles before the end of November. The year-to-date figure at the end of last month was 1,016,605, a 10.9% increase compared with the same time frame last year.

As always, string demand for SUVs in the private sector has fuelled the growth, but so too has a resurgence in sales of passenger vehicles.

Meanwhile, Government fleet sales have dropped off by a total of 35.1% compared with November 2011 and by almost 21% since the start of the year.

The top three selling brands in November were Toyota (19,312), Holden (10,354) and Mazda (8,732). While the three best selling models were the Toyota Corolla (4,190), the Mazda3 (3,703) and the Toyota HiLux (3,059).

Congratulations to Mazda, too, who has recorded its best ever annual sales results, with a month still remaining in the year.

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New vehicle sales report – October 2012

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It’s becoming boring to keep reporting that SUV sales are once again behind a strong monthly sales result. But VFACTS figures show SUV sales havr increased by 28.6% so far this year, and contributed 25,737 sales towards the October total of 95,584 new vehicle sales.

Year-to-date numbers show a total of 918,258 new vehicles have driven off showroom forecourts in 2012, a healthy increase of 9.7% compared to the same time last year. Interestingly, government sales are down 10.9% for the year, while private sales, up by 11.7%, have covered those losses.

Toyota continues its unassailable lead as the country’s top seller, registering 18,584 sales last month. They were followed by traditional bridesmaid Holden (10,239) and Ford (8,379).

The Toyota HiLux was the highest selling model in October, with 3,403 sales, followed by the Mazda3 (3,342) and the Toyota Corolla (2,977).

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AIMS 2012 gallery: Best of the rest

2012 Australian International Motor Show

To close out our 2012 Australian International Motor Show coverage we bring you the highlights and lowlights from the rest of the manufacturers on show.

Our top three highlights:

  • Ford Evos concept—stunning lines
  • Kia Track’ster—actually very, very cool
  • Subaru BRZ by Possum Bourne Motorsport—track cred for the BRZ

Our top three lowlights

  • Holden Malibu—return to sender
  • Ford Focus ST—they must be taking the piss with that central dash
  • Isuzu D Max advertising—someone signed that off

And a special mention to the Nissan Pulsar SSS. My first new car was an Australian built N14 SSS, it was awesome and is still better to look at than this comeback horror story. AUSmotive’s assistant on the day described it as the ugliest car he’d ever seen. I put forward the new Honda CR-V as an alternate suggestion, but he wouldn’t be swayed.

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New vehicle sales report – September 2012

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The monthly update from VFACTS brings word that 94,627 vehicles were sold in September, an increase of 9% (7,808 vehicles) on the same month in 2011.

Increases in the sales of hybrids helped to boost the result, so too the ongoing demand for SUVs. While government sales remain on the decline.

Toyota remains miles ahead of anyone else in overall sales, thanks to its 17,300 buyers. Mazda, though, has cracked the 10,000 monthly sales barrier for the first time (10,093) and found itself as the country’s second best selling marque last month. Holden (8,955) was demoted to third.

Year-to-date figures show 822,674 new sales have been recorded in 2012, 9.4% increase (70,546 vehicles) compared to the same period last year.

The high selling Mazda3 was Australia’s favourite purchase, with 4,276 September sales. The Toyota HiLux (3,479) was in second on the sales charts, ahead of the Hyundai I30 (3,144).

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2012 Paris Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2012 Paris Motor Show

The 2012 Paris Motor Show is well underway and for those of us who can’t make it we’ve assembled a photo gallery, which highlights what a blue collar show this has turned out to be. There’s no real theme of haute coutoure motoring here. It’s mostly off the rack bread and butter models.

Thankfully, the Jaguar F-Type brings some style and class. Conversely, when you stop and think about it, someone must have actually signed off an be responsible for the Honda CR-V. They should be fired. It is just horrible.

After the break you’ll see manufacturers listed alphabetically from A–L. Stay tuned for part 2 from Paris soon.

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Hyundai Motor Shows WRC

Paris 2012: Hyundai WRC i20

Hyundai WRC i20

Hyundai has used the bright lights of the Paris Motor Show to announce they will be returning to the World Rally Championship. Their weapon of choice is this “rally-ready” WRC i20.

The term “rally-ready” is important insofar as Hyundai hasn’t nominated a firm date for their return. Although, wrc.com is claiming Hyundai could be racing as early as next year.

Speaking in Paris, Mark Hall, Marketing Director at Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “The World Rally Championship is recognised as one of the most dramatic sporting series on Earth. It’s a spectacle filled with excitement and dynamism—the perfect embodiment of the Hyundai brand.

“The WRC also offers the most technologically-diverse challenge for an automotive manufacturer. Our participation will demonstrate Hyundai’s engineering excellence and durability, and will also help to enhance our road-going vehicles in future.”

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New vehicle sales report – August 2012

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A total of 93,552 new vehicles were sold last month according to official VFACTS data. All states and territories, except Tasmania, registered more sales last month compared to August 2011.

Government sales are down compared to last year, but private and business sales are responsible for the strong August result. As always, SUV sales continue to put smiles on the faces of car dealers around the country. Those kidding themselves they need the freedom offered by SUVs have pushed up sales by 18.6% compared to August last year.

Year-to-date sales number 728,047, which is an increase of 9.4% on last year. Again, SUV sales are leading the way with 30% more sales than this time last year.

The Toyota HiLux continued to lead the sales charts last month, with 4,010 sales. Some distance back was the Mazda3 (2,990) and the Toyota Corolla (2,945).

Toyota continues its dominance overall as well, with 17,996 new buyers in August. Traditional rivals Holden (11,271) and Ford (7,795) claimed the minor placings. Hyundai and Mazda were snapping at the heels of the top three.

We look forward to seeing what impact new comers Infiniti and Opel can make on the sales charts in September.

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New vehicle sales report – July 2012

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After the euphoria of an end of financial year inspired all-time monthly record in June, Australia’s new vehicle sales came back to reality in July, with 86,641 vehicles walking out the door.

The official VFACTS figures show there’s still a strong demand for SUVs. Although at least buyers are downsizing their SUVs and even keen to take up diesel-powered models.

Year-to-date a total of 634,495 new vehicles have been sold in 2012, an increase of almost 10% compared to the same period in 2011.

Toyota (17,780 sales) maintains its stranglehold at the top of the monthly sales charts, ahead of Holden (8,936) and Mazda (7,951). The top three selling models last month were the Toyota HiLux (4,163), the Mazda 3 (3,355) and the Toyota Corolla (2,985).

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