copyrighted by AUTOWEEK 2005
Hyundai, Kia seek bigger U.S. share S. Korean brands work on identities, branching out Mark Rechtin - Autoweek Saturday, August 27, 2005
With ambitious U.S. sales goals set for the end of the decade, South Korea's automakers, Kia Motor Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co., are spending heavily on new products.
Expect Hyundai and Kia to make dramatic improvements in existing models when they are redesigned. In America, the two brands are looking at new segments, such as small minivans, luxury sedans and pickups.
Hyundai aims to sell 1 million vehicles annually in the United States in 2010, while Kia has a 500,000-unit target. Last year, Hyundai sold
418,615 vehicles here; Kia sold 270,055 units.Already, the Hyundai-Kia union has sparked new engine families and shared platforms and components. Now, Hyundai Motor is working to create distinct identities for the two brands. Here are Hyundai and Kia vehicle plans through the 2009 model year.
Hyundai
models are planned: a three-door hatchback and a four-door sedan. The more powerful 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine features variable-valve timing and delivers 110 hp. Standard features will include six air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and CD stereo with XM satellite radio.
version will be offered.
Chrysler Sebring with a Sonata coupe and convertible, expected to arrive in spring 2008.
replacing the XG350. The Azera is 192.7 inches long and 72.8 inches wide, making it a little larger than the Toyota Camry.
price it in the $33,000 range. It will launch the rear-drive sedan in the United States during the 2008 model year. The car will be the test case for launching a separate luxury brand. The car will be powered by a 3.8-liter longitudinally mounted V-6.
model year, but there is some debate on the vehicle's design.
planned in the next few years.
features three rows of seats. Two engines will be available: 3.3-liter and
3.8-liter V-6s.Kia
hatchback are planned. The new Rio has a longer wheelbase and more horsepower than the current model.
are foreseen.
big V-6 in the first year or so of the new cycle. The base engine will be a
2.0-liter inline-four.the next several years.
turn it into a coupe and convertible. Kia will create the models on the Hyundai Tiburon platform for the 2008 or 2009 model year.
will be developed on the same vehicle platform as the Kia Sportage and Spectra and Hyundai Elantra. Expect a similar choice of 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder and 2.7-liter V-6 engines. The vehicle will arrive here for the 2008 model year.
long-wheelbase versions. The short-wheelbase models will offer a choice of a
3.3-liter or 3.8-liter V-6, while the long-wheelbase version likely will offer the 3.8-liter V-6.in the 2008 model year.
body-on-frame vehicle that is nearly as long as the Ford Expedition. It will offer three rows of seats; the engine bay will be large enough to handle a V-8.
one, too. The pickups could arrive in the 2009 or 2010 model year.