Here’s a novel way to keep your customers happy, especially if they’re waiting for their new ride to arrive and it’s taking way longer than expected. Over in the UK, Hyundai has come up with a rather interesting plan, one that sees customers waiting for their new ix35 (the Tucson over here) to arrive to get an ix35 in the meantime.

Confusing? Not, once the details become clear. Seems that demand for the ix35 has been unprecedented, not only across Europe but also worldwide, resulting in supply not being able to meet demand, especially so in the case of the 2.0 litre diesel derivative.

So, in what is a unique approach, the UK office has come up with this: 200 of its longest waiting customers who have booked the 2.0 diesel SUVs will be offered a 1.7 litre diesel ix35, of which there is ready stock of. They purchase the manual 1.7, use it until their original 2.0 order arrives, at which point they trade-in the two-wheel drive 1.7 for the same price they paid for it, paying only the difference in the price of the 1.7 and 2.0 diesel versions.

The no-cost implications offer, which runs till the end of the month, also sees Hyundai giving the customer £300 to cover the costs incurred for arranging finance and insurance on two cars instead of one. The company is currently looking at the feasibility of rolling out this offer to other customers.

It’s a great deal for the UK ix35 buyer, so guess that’s one for them then. Don’t expect to be seeing something like this happening here from any car company, certainly not on this scale, if ever.

[Source: Hyundai]

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Kia‘s new designs are helping brand the Korean automaker in a more positive light, particularly here in North America with the stylish new Optima. But in other parts of the world mid-size sedan’s don’t hold the same cache, nor do they sell all that well, so Kia is looking at alternative ways to create a boost in brand image.

In a recent interview, Kia product boss Benny Oeyen commented on three such methods, including a hot hatch, convertible or coupe. While the coupe idea, along the lines of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, may seem like the obvious choice, it’s the hot hatch the is the most likely. The reason for this is the importance of small hatchbacks in other parts of the world, like in Europe were sub-compact models, like Kia’s new 2012 Rio, make up the majority of sales for automakers.

A Rio hot-hatch is also the easiest to bring to market, as it would be based on the existing new car. Plus, it helps put the brand focus exactly where Kia wants it to be.

Exactly what a juiced-up Rio might bring to the table is unclear, with standard models in Europe getting 1.4-liter gasoline and diesel engines as well as a tiny 1.25-liter gas engine. One possibility is the 138-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that’s expected to come standard in the North American model, although for a ‘hot hatch’ we’d like to see more.

[Source: Autocar]

Hyundai launched the more powerful 2012 Equus for the company’s home market of South Korea today. For 2012, the Equus is powered by either an all-new 3.8-liter V6 GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine that produces 334 horsepower or the new 429 horsepower 5.0-liter Tau V8 GDI powertrain. Both engines, also found in the recently unveiled 2012 Genesis, are mated to Hyundai’s new in-house developed 8-speed automatic transmission.

The new 3.8-liter V6 engine achieves a claimed 9.7 km/L of fuel economy, which is approximately 22.8 US MPG. The 5.0-liter V8 does 8.8 km/L or around 20.7 US MPG. The 2012 Equus for the Korean market also adds new amenities both inside and out such as full LED headlamps, intelligent accelerator pedal (for crash avoidance) and new wheel designs.

Expect to see the new powertrains to be available in the 2012 Equus for the North American market as well when it arrives in showrooms later this year.

[Source: Hyundai]

Our Aussie friends at Car Advice have posted the latest spy shots of the upcoming Hyundai Genesis Coupe facelift today. A left-hand drive version (LHD) of the rear-wheel drive coupe was spotted testing in Victoria’s mountain region. Though again, we don’t see anything new with these pictures, the car’s location poses a long-unanswered question of its possible arrival in the Australian market.

An editor of Car Advice contacted Hyundai’s Senior Manager, PR and Events, Ben Hershman, asking what the Genesis Coupe was doing in Australia. Hershman responded, “Hyundai Motor Company utilises Australia as a hot test region for global model development. This has been happening for a number of years.”

Car Advice, however, notes that it has been anything but hot in the Victoria region and raised the possibility of the company testing the waters for the coupe in the Australian market. Who knows?

[Source: Car Advice]

At a time when a number of global car makers are searching for ways to enter the rapidly growing Indian market, Kia Motors has shelved its plans to start operations in India.

According to a statement given by a senior official of the company, the company will continue to concentrate on developed markets like Europe, US and China where it has local production facilities.

“Our hands are full right now. Currently we are not looking at India but concentrating on other overseas markets where we aim to produce over 1 million cars this year. We will, however, continue to monitor the Indian market as it holds sizeable potential and may be on our future radar,” said company spokesman Michael J Choo.

Kia had been vying for the Indian market for the past decade, particularly after the success of Hyundai Motor which is now the second largest car company in the country in terms of unit sales. Kia had earlier roped in consultancy company Synovate to conduct a feasibility study for the Indian market. However, despite a positive report due to a line-up mainly consisting of small cars that would appeal to Indian buyers, Kia has decided not to enter the local market.

[Source: The Economic Times]

Here are the latest spy shots of the upcoming 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe facelift, snapped during the car’s cold-weather testing stages in Germany. Not much to see here, but still worth a look we’d say. Follow the jump to view the rest of the shots! Also, check out our original post on the Genesis Coupe facelift in the link below.

EXCLUSIVE! Hyundai Genesis Coupe Facelift Spied for the First Time!

[Source: The Korean Car Blog]

Kia Motors America announced the launch of the 2011 Sportage SX today. The SX models come with a more powerful four-cylinder turbo engine with direct injection, as well as exterior and interior styling enhancements. The Sportage SX arrives in showrooms later this month with a base price of $ 25,795 for the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and $ 27,295 for the all-wheel drive (AWD) model, both excluding a $ 695 destination charge.

This is Kia’s second vehicle in the U.S to feature the Theta II 2.0-liter Turbo GDI engine, following the 2011 Optima Turbo. The unit produces 256 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of peak torque, while delivering an estimated 22 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway.

On the outside, SX models receive unique 18″ alloy wheels, a signature SX grille, dual exhaust, and special side sill moldings. Exterior updates are complemented by SX-specific interior enhancements, including standard aluminum door sills and a sleek new supervision gauge cluster.

In addition, the Sportage SX employs sport-tuned suspension featuring firmer shock and strut rates for improved handling and dynamic performance over non-SX models.

Available exclusively on the Sportage SX are the Orange and Blue interior color packages. The Orange Color Package includes orange stitching on the steering wheel, center console, and seats coupled with orange accents on the door panels and air vents. A unique blue patterned cloth seat and blue interior accents are included as part of the Blue Color Package.

Sportage LX and EX trims come standard with a 176 horsepower 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT).

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