Korean Automaker Kia is preparing its first North American foray into the world of electric cars with the Kia Soul EV, which is expected to launch in 2014. 

According to Kia World, the electric Soul will be available in the US, Europe and China, unlike Kia’s current EV, the Ray, which is only available in South Korea. Also unlike the Ray, which was made in limited quantities, the Soul EV will be a mass market vehicle.

Kia has not released any official specs, but according to Kia World, the Soul EV will be able to travel up to 124 miles on a single charge, with a top speed of 86 mph. Hitting 60 mph from a stand still will occur in under 12 seconds, which may seem slow, but it is at least four seconds faster than the Ray EV to 60 mph.

Update: In response to an E-mail query, Kia spokesman James Hope said, “at this point we haven’t announced when an EV vehicle might be sold in this (US) market.”

[Source: Kia World]

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Hyundai won’t be the first automaker to manufacture and sell a fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV), but it will be the first company to mass produce such a vehicle with the Tuscon FCEV, which will be available in 2015. 

“One of our biggest FCEV differentiators for us is that Hyundai is the first automaker to launch assembly line production of a fuel-cell vehicle,” Derek Joyce, Hyundai’s manager of product public relations, told Cars.com.

Hyundai’s ultimate goal is to move around 10,000 fuel-cell powered Tuscons a year, but for the first year of sales, the company is aiming to sell 1,000 FCEVs.

Exact specifications are not yet available, but Hyundai estimates that the Tuscon FCEV will have a range of 369 miles and a combined fuel economy rating of 71 mpg.

One of the largest issues keeping more fuel-cell vehicles from becoming popular is infrastructure, and Hyundai is investing in that as well. A new initiative from the Energy Department called H2USA is a public-private partnership that is working on advancing hydrogen infrastructure in the U.S. Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Nissan are all part of the program, along with other automotive groups such as the American Gas Association and Association of Global Automakers.

GALLERY: Hyundai Tucson Hydrogen Fuel Cell

[Source: Cars.com]

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The Kia Quoris full-size luxury, rear-drive sedan has been confirmed to go on sale in America starting next year.

The Korean automaker plans to price the Quoris between $50,000 to $70,000 for the U.S. market as Kia tries to break into the luxury sedan segment. Of course, the big question is whether or not the Quoris will attract customers at that price range, considering it also has real cheap cars in its lineup starting at around $15,000.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Kia Sedona Returns with Few Changes, Priced From $25,900

In addition, while Kia wouldn’t officially comment on a redesigned Sedona, the automaker teased for us to wait until the end of the year to hear some news about it. Recently, Kia introduced its 2014 Sedona after a one year hiatus with subtle changes. According to Kia Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Michael Sprague, the minivan market is still important to the automaker and its sales decline this year could be attributed to the lack of a minivan in its lineup. Part of that explains why Kia was so quick to bring it back to its dealerships, despite not conducting a major overhaul on the model.

GALLERY: Kia Quoris

[Source: Automotive.com]

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It may be hard to believe, but BMWs can be cheaper in Korea than cars from Hyundai.

Lower tariffs are making German imports cheaper than local Korean-made vehicles.

A BMW 528i for example, is around $64,000 in South Korea while the flagship Kia K9 is around $76,400. Even consumers in South Korea are abandoning their dedication to their domestic brands realizing that German vehicles offer a better luxury bargain.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Hyundai Equus 82% a Lexus LS for 18% Less

BMW isn’t the only German automaker to be benefiting. Mercedes-Benz and Audi have also seen sales increase at the expense of Kia and Hyundai over recent years now that duties on European imports have fallen to 3.2 percent from eight percent since a trade pact was put into effect in 2011.

All of Germany’s big three automakers have seen sales in South Korea rise 25 percent in the first growth – that’s even faster growth than what they’re seeing in China. Hyundai on the other hand, saw its luxury high-end model sales drop 4.7 percent in the same period.

Overall, foreign luxury automakers in South Korea have seen sales grow to 41 percent from 28 percent in the past two years.

GALLERY: 2014 Hyundai Equus Live Shots

GALLERY: 2014 Hyundai Equus

[Source: Bloomberg]

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If he were real, Andy Dufresne would be impressed with Hyundai CEO John Krafcik who despite the obstacles is being named the 2013 Automotive Executive of the Year

After all, both the fictional Shawshank Redemption character and charismatic brand boss were forced to mire their way through a lot of muck… Of course, Dufresne literally crawled through the sewers while Krafcik’s journey was figurative, navigating Hyundai’s mpg misstatement mess.

“With his superb team, John Krafcik has literally reshaped the way Hyundai approaches the market with consumer focus, compelling design, and enduring value,” notes Robert Djurovic, executive director of the Automotive Executive of the Year Award program. “It’s no surprise that accolades for Hyundai products just keep coming.” Or is it?

The saga began when an EPA audit exposed that Hyundai’s fuel consumption claims were exaggerated by an average three percent. Both Hyundai and Kia were embroiled in the controversy and in the most severe case, the Kia Soul was found to fall 6 mpg below its stated figure.

SEE ALSO: Hyundai, Kia Admit to Selling No 40-MPG Models

Despite a hurricane of bad press, Hyundai emerged relatively unscathed. It offered affected owners free pre-loaded debit cards to account for extra annual fuel costs, and despite some lawsuits saw little backlash by consumers.

Now more than seven months after the first stories emerged, Hyundai’s North American CEO is set to receive a venerable industry award in Detroit.

“I accept the honor with the understanding that I am representing the hard work, dedication, and achievements of all the men and women who work at Hyundai around the world, including our R&D facilities in Michigan and California, our U.S. manufacturing plants, and our passionate and dedicated network of 823 Hyundai dealers across the U.S.,” Krafcik said.

In the same time period as the cars bearing overzealous mpg badges were built, Hyundai’s annual U.S. sales grew by over 30 percent. More importantly, those sales haven’t dipped through the first quarter of this year despite the controversy.

Last year, Kia announced that the Sedona minivan had reached the end of its lifecycle and would be getting the axe; then the Korean automaker did a flip-flop and said it would return, just at a later time.

Apparently that meant a one year break as the Korean automaker has revealed the 2014 Kia Sedona after the 2013 model year was absent from dealership lots. Oddly enough however, the Sedona didn’t undergo a huge makeover.

SEE ALSO: Kia Sedona Minivan Gets the Axe

The 2014 Sedona does get a redesign (however slight) with an updated front end featuring a redesigned grille, LED positioning lights and standard fog lights. In addition, it gets new 17-inch wheels and a few updates to its interior with more storage options.

But that’s the extent of its changes, which is surprising considering it would have been a perfect time for Kia to rework its magic on its minivan model. It will still be powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 found in the 2011 model year with 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Sedona is rated at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Another sign that it’s severely outdated with mediocre fuel economy figures.

Pricing for the base-model LX will start at $25,900, excluding an $850 destination fee. Those wanting leather seats and the 17-inch wheels will have to shell out $30,900 (excluding $850).

Discuss this story at Kia-Forums.com

The sales numbers are in for April 2013, and we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best-selling cars for last month.

Kicking off the list is the Hyundai Elantra with a starting MSRP of $16,965. The compact model from the Korean automaker saw 45.2 percent more sales this year than last in the month of April, and has sold 78,991 units so far this year. It’s worth noting that 25 percent of Elantra sales come from the Coupe and Elantra GT hatchback models, which weren’t available last year.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Review

Hyundai will unveil its all-new 2015 Genesis sedan next year during the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

When it does, the brand will unveil the next evolution in its line of luxury sedans meant to rival German makers. During the same show earlier this year, Hyundai pulled the drapes off of its HCD-14 Genesis concept, which despite the name is said not to be a direct preview of the new sedan. Instead, it was a look at design elements to be added to the brands future products.

Brandon Ramirez, senior group manager of product planning, told Edmunds that the new Genesis sedan will be unveiled next year in Detroit but didn’t offer any details on the new car.

Despite that, improved interior materials will need to be high on the brand’s priority list to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes. All-wheel drive is something else the Genesis sedan currently ignores but would do well do adopt for snowy climates.

[Source: Edmunds]

Discuss this story at Hyundai-Forums.com

Hyundai found itself in hot water today after an ad aimed at the European market used a suicide attempt to sell cars.

“Hyundai understands that the video has caused offence. We apologise unreservedly…

“The video has been taken down and will not be used in any of our advertising or marketing,” (sic) the automaker said through its U.K. public relations Twitter account.

The commercial shows a man sitting in his new Hyundai ix35 with a hose taped between the tail pipe and open passenger window, presumably pumping exhaust fumes into the cabin. He takes several deep breaths before the camera cuts to a view outside the house and a caption reads: “The new ix35 with 100% water emissions.”

UPDATE: Hyundai Motor America released the following statement about the video: “We at Hyundai Motor America are shocked and saddened by the depiction of a suicide attempt in an inappropriate UK video featuring a Hyundai. Suicide merits thoughtful discussion, not this type of treatment.”

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J.D. Power and Associates released its 2013 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study today. 

It reveals that consumers are most interested in tech that displays and improves fuel economy, followed by wireless connectivity for cell phones.

New car buyers were asked twice which new tech feature they most wanted on their new vehicle; once when price was not a factor and then again with the price as a factor. Out of 22 features polled, both a fuel economy indicator and active grille shutters made the top five new technologies that consumers most want in both the pre- and post-price poll.

“Vehicle owners are continually aware of rising fuel costs and the need for better fuel economy,” said Mike VanNieuwkuyk, executive director of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. “As they have come to understand the benefits of new automotive technology, they are increasingly interested in those that allow them to manage their fuel consumption with greater efficiency and help better manage their cost at the pump,” he said.

In-car cell phone technology has continually been growing, with 67 percent of vehicle owners now possessing a smart phone. Not surprisingly then, the top choice on the pre-price list is device/application link, which drops to the second position once an average price of $300 is introduced. Since last year, interest in having a link from a consumer’s smart phone to their car’s infotainment system has grown by 10 percent. New vehicle owners want their car’s infotainment system to powered by their smart phones, says J.D. Power.

Safety continues to make the list as well, with a surround-view camera sitting in the fifth spot on the post-price list. This system is listed with an average price of $500, making it the most expensive feature that consumers say they want the most.

There is some interest being shown to autonomous vehicles, but mostly to safety features associated with self-driving cars such as emergency braking and steering and automatic park assist.

“While it will take more time for vehicle owners to embrace fully autonomous driving, the gateway for acceptance is underway given relatively strong interest in many semi-autonomous features,” VanNieuwkuyk said.

The 2013 Pikes Peak hill climb is approaching, and Hyundai released a pair of videos showing off exactly what the brand is doing to prepare for this years race. 

In 2012, Hyundai driver Rhys Millen set a record at Pikes Peak, and hoping to break his own time, Hyundai is working on dropping 1,000 lbs. from last year’s race car through the use of titanium and carbon fiber. Under the hood will be a modified version of the Genesis Coupe’s V6 engine, which the brand is aiming to get 900 hp out of.

The race to the summit takes place on June 30, 2013, and will include an all-new unlimited class rear-drive racecar from Hyundai along with the production-based Genesis Coupe model piloted by Millen which set last year’s 9:46.164 record time.

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Kia’s Chinese joint venture, Dongfeng Yueda Kia, announced the creation of a new Chinese-only brand at the Shanghai Auto Show today, called Horki. 

Kia says that the name is derived from two separate elements, ‘Hor’ which stands for China, and ‘Ki’ which relates to driving. Roughly translated, the brand’s title is ‘Driving in China,’ though when read aloud in the western world it means something quite a bit different.

Cars from the Horki brand are aiming to be practical, economical and trustworthy, while vehicles from the existing Kia brand are going to represent sportiness, passion and style.

Also unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show was the Horki 1 Concept (seen above), which is based on the Kia Forte, though it has been massaged to look quite a bit different. Kia says that the Horki badge will appear on numerous different types of vehicles, one of which will be powered by an alternative fuel source. These vehicles are expected to hit the Chinese market sometime in late 2015.

 Discuss this story at chinacarforums.com