2010 Hyundai Tucson Limited Sport Utility 4-door 2.4l on 2040-cars

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Hyundai to launch European performance sub-brand

Hyundai has quickly emerged from the sidelines as one of the biggest players in the industry, outselling rivals left, right and center. Still, a dedicated performance division is still something that separates it from the big boys. Now, according to the latest reports, that's just what it's getting.
After setting up its own Nürburgring test center and gearing up to launch its assault on the World Rally Championship, the next step in the ramping up of Hyundai's performance credentials - in Europe, especially - will reportedly be to set up its own performance division along the lines of what Nissan has done with Nismo.
The first product in Hyundai's new European performance portfolio is expected to be a version of the next i20 hatchback that's set to launch in 2015. That in turn will be used as the basis for the company's next WRC challenger, to replace the upcoming model, pictured above undergoing testing. After that it's anyone's guess, but performance versions of the Veloster, Genesis Coupe and Elantra could be in the cards.

Hyundai recalls 58,000 Elantra Touring models over side-airbag concern

Hyundai is recalling 58,000 Elantra Touring wagons, after it was discovered that a metal support bracket in the headliner could become dislodged when the side-curtain airbag deploys. If this happens, occupants could suffer lacerations.
The affected models were built between December 15, 2009 and May 7, 2012 and cover model years 2010 to 2012. The problem itself was discovered in the follow-up into a 2013 recall of the Elantra Sedan, when a Touring model was found in a salvage yard with a detached headliner, despite using a different type of support than was recalled in the four-door model. No injuries have been associated with this recall.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bulletin, the remedy for this recall is not unlike that used with the Elantra Sedan - adhesive strips will be applied to the headliner to prevent it from dislodging in the event of a crash.

Ex-Hyundai CEO Krafcik joins TrueCar board amidst IPO plans

Former Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik has had a tumultuous year. Last June, he won the Automotive Executive of the Year from DNV Business Assurance. Then in December, he suddenly announced he was stepping down from his leadership role at the Korean automaker on January 1, with some suggesting it was because the company's sales growth was too far below forecasts. Now, it looks like the exec has landed a new role on the board of directors of online car shopping website TrueCar.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Krafcik's role will be to build relationships with automakers and dealers, but the job at TrueCar won't be full time. Since leaving Hyundai, Krafcik has also been doing consulting work in Silicon Valley. "It's helped me understand what I might want to do, full, full time. I am just taking things at the appropriate pace," he said to the Journal.
Krafcik, who is widely considered one of the industry's top executives, took the helm at Hyundai America in 2008 and led it to an increase in sales and market share. He was with the company when it won North American Car of the Year awards in 2009 and 2012 for the Genesis and Elantra, respectively.