NextCars.net | Future Cars, Fast Cars, New Cars, Cool Cars, Hot Cars » Kia

Hyundai Santa Fe to be Built at Kia Plant in Georgia

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:02:13 +0000

Kia Motors announced this morning that its West Point, Georgia plant will now add a second vehicle to its production line, the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Georgia plant, which opened its doors last November, is already home to the Kia Sorento and has an annual capacity of 310,000 units. Paired with the addition of a second shift, the move is scheduled to begin later this month into next month.

The big move for the Santa Fe, from Hyundai’s Montgomery, Alabama facility to the Kia plant, was made as a result of overwhelming demand for Sonata sedans. Hyundai is at full capacity at its plant in Montgomery. John Krafcik, chief executive of Hyundai’s U.S. operations, said sales of the Sonata, which was redesigned this year, are being held back by lack of supply. Sonata sales were up 45% this year through July. All Sonatas sold in the U.S. are made in this country.

[Source: Kia]

TheCarBlogger: Latest Hyundai News & Kia News

Kia Releases First Images of Forte Hatchback for Korea

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:01:54 +0000

For our readers interested in the upcoming Kia Forte Hatchback, we have two new official images from Kia as well as some information that accompanied these pictures.

According to Kia, the automaker commenced pre-orders for the Forte Hatchback in South Korea in early August. For the Korean market, the Forte Hatchback will be powered by a direct-injected version (GDI) of its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an output of 140 horsepower and 122 lb. ft of torque. It will be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and is touted to achieve 16.5 km/liter in fuel economy (38 US MPG).

Kia has not mentioned a clear sales date for the Forte Hatchback in Korea. For now, all we can do is stay tuned for more official tidbits from the automaker as the year progresses.

[Source: Kia]

READ MORE for the second official image released by Kia!

TheCarBlogger: Latest Hyundai News & Kia News

2011 Hyundai Veracruz Adds More Premium Content

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:02:07 +0000

With Hyundai busy taking care of the Genesis and Equus for its luxury department as of late, the automaker seems to have forgotten about the Veracruz, as it soldiers onto the 2011 model year with only minor changes again. For the 2011 model year the Veracruz GLS premium package has been updated and has the following features: power tilt-and-slide sunroof, power tailgate, auto dimming interior mirror with HomeLink® and compass, and auto-dimming, tilt-in-reverse exterior mirrors.

Pricing remains the same from the 2010 Veracruz, with the GLS FWD starting at ,145 (plus 0 freight). The Limited AWD model, however, gets a ,000 reduction from ,895 of the 2010 model to ,895 for the 2011 edition. Comparing press releases of both years, the cost cut doesn’t appear to be due to de-contenting.

Click HERE for the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz Press Release.

[Source: Hyundai]

TheCarBlogger: Latest Hyundai News & Kia News

Hyundai Denies L.A. Debut Claim for Production Veloster

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:02:00 +0000

Earlier this week, several automobile magazines reported that Hyundai will officially launch its long-awaited Tiburon replacement at this year’s L.A. Auto Show. But Hyundai recently denied those rumors by using its Twitter account and announcing that the production version of its Veloster coupe won’t be put on display at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

This isn’t surprising at all, since we all know that Hyundai will make an official worldwide premiere of its all-new Elantra sedan in the L.A. this year. The production-ready Veloster coupe will likely be displayed for the first time at next month’s Paris Auto Show, where the automaker will also debut the refreshed i10 minicar.

[Source: Hyundai/Twitter]

TheCarBlogger: Latest Hyundai News & Kia News

Incoming search terms:

2011 hyundai elantra

Kia recalls SOUL crossover due to steering defects (U.S)

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:05:23 +0000

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has commenced an assessment in a potential steering fault on approximately 51,182 2010 KIA Soul models.

The feds said they received one complaint from an owner who purchased a 2 month old 2010 Kia Soul with 4,300 miles on the clock. The owner said the steering shaft detached itself from the hand wheel and fell into a position that hindered with the brake pedal, ensuing in complete brake and steering loss.

“ODI (Office of Defects Investigation) is very concerned about this failure in that it occurred without warning on a new vehicle at low mileage and resulted in a complete loss of steering as well as a compromised brake system. A preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.”

Kia issued the following statement on the NHTSA preliminary evaluation:

“Kia Motors America has been actively cooperating with NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation since being advised by the acting director late last week that an investigation was being opened regarding the 2010 Kia Soul. Although the investigation is based on a single incident that did not result in an accident or injury, the entire Kia Motors organization — including our supplier base — is reviewing manufacturing processes with the goal of quickly determining if there is a manufacturing cause and preventing the issue from reoccurring. KMA is committed to sharing information and findings with NHTSA’s ODI on an ongoing basis in order to reach a prompt resolution.”

No international models have been affected.

Cars Of The Future® Blog

Incoming search terms:

electric steering recalls
kia soul defect

2012 Hyundai Genesis Facelift Spied Again

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:04:19 +0000

New spy shots of the refreshed 2012 Hyundai Genesis have been sent to us by our South Korean readers today. Comparing these recent shots to those we posted last month, we can tell that Hyundai has since added a new set of taillights, new alloy wheels, as well as a new steering wheel.

For more information on the Genesis facelift, check out the link below. CLICK HERE

TheCarBlogger: Latest Hyundai News & Kia News

NHTSA Opens Investigation on Kia Soul After Steering Loss Incident

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:02:57 +0000

The Kia Soul is being investigated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after a driver filed a complaint alleging complete loss of steering and limited braking on a 2-month old model. NHTSA said Monday on its website that the potential issue can affect over 51,000 vehicles.

The complaint said the steering shaft detached from the steering wheel, leading to a complete loss of steering, and the shaft fell into a position that interfered with the driver’s ability to brake. The owner who filed the complaint had driven the vehicle for two months and had 4,300 miles (6,900 kilometres) on it.

The government agency seldom opens an investigation based on one complaint but said it was “very concerned about this failure in that it occurred without warning on a new vehicle at low mileage and resulted in a complete loss of steering as well as a compromised brake system.”

Kia officials did not immediately comment on the investigation.

[Source: Yahoo/AFP/Reuters]

TheCarBlogger: Latest Hyundai News & Kia News

Spied: Kia Forte Hatchback Caught in the Wild

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:02:01 +0000

The long-anticipated five-door hatchback variant of the Kia Forte has been snapped out in the wild for the first time since making its world debut last April at the New York International Auto Show. Despite promising sales of the Forte Hatch to commence in the fall, Kia has been pretty hush about details of the newest addition to the Forte line-up.

The 5-door will be available in two four-cylinder powertrains – a 156 horsepower 2.0L and a 173 horsepower 2.4L. Available features, according to Kia, in the Forte Hatch include paddle shifters, navigation system, and push-button start. Pricing is expected to remain similar to the 4-door Forte.

Continue after the jump to view the rest of the images.

TheCarBlogger: Latest Hyundai News & Kia News

Kia Quietly Discontinues Rondo in the U.S.

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:01:59 +0000

Kia appears to have quietly killed-off its Rondo MPV in response to a continued slide in sales. Visitors to the Rondo page on Kia’s U.S. website are greeted with the news, “Thank you for inquiring about the Rondo. As the saying goes, ‘all good things must come to an end’ But with endings, come new beginnings…” Below that message is an image of the new 2011 Kia Sportage, directing customers that that page where they can check out the stylish new compact crossover.

The Rondo’s demise was stumbled upon by the team at Autoblog, who then contacted Kia and received this response. “Kia has not yet decided on a 2011 model, but the 2010 is still available in dealerships.”

Kia managed to move just 14,206 Rondos last year, a 50 percent drop from 2008 when the company sold 28,645 units. The Rondo would seem to be the latest casualty in the Kia lineup with the Korean automaker recently dropping the Borego full size SUV.

This move also looks to be a part of a larger product switch from Kia away from old models and old designs towards fresh and exciting new products. Unfortunately for those few looking at a Rondo, the Sportage simply doesn’t offer the same utility.

Of note, Kia Canada isn’t following suit with any message on its website, suggesting the Rondo will continue on there. This isn’t surprising as sales of MPVs like the Rondo and Mazda5 are strong in Canada

TheCarBlogger: Latest Hyundai News & Kia News

KIA shoves Ford off the top-spot (RU)

admin — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:02:13 +0000

Kia Motors knocked Ford off the top spot to become the best-selling foreign car brand in Russia for the first time ever in July. According to a report, Kia sold 10,502 units last month, up from 105% the same month last year.

The sudden increase in sales comes from the popularity of the Cee’d which sold 3,253 units, the Rio (3,205), and the Sportage compact SUV (1,677).

Chevrolet took second place with 8,986 cars sold, followed by Renault SA (8,574) and Toyota (8,251). Hyundai came seventh with 7,201 although its sales climbed 56% year-on-year.

Kia’s increasing sales in Russia from January through July totalled 56,231 units, behind Chevrolet with 61,996. The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group topped the import market in the first half, selling a combined 84,278 vehicles.

Cars Of The Future® Blog

Incoming search terms:

2011 kia k5