2019 Hyundai Elantra Sel on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell gets massive 43% price cut in South Korea

Hyundai is soldiering on with its fuel-cell-powered Tucson, ordering an enormous cut in the zero-emission CUV's price in the company's home market. The 43-percent reduction, when combined with subsidies from the South Korean government, brings the cost of entry to a still-lofty $54,000, Ward's reports. While that's undeniably a lot of money, we need to explain just how wildly expensive the Tucson FCV was in the first place. Hyundai trimmed a total of $67,000 from the $144,000 starting price. Even with some very significant – and not unusual – subsidies, the fuel-cell model still cost $86,000. Considering where things started from, $54K seems like a relative bargain. Beyond South Korea, Hyundai is expected to announce some sort of price cut in Europe, where the Tucson is marketed as the ix35 FCV, but it's unclear at this point if the Euro model's price tag will get such a dramatic reduction. We haven't heard of any changes to the cost of the lease-only North American-market Tucson FCV, which is currently available in California for $499 per month with $2,999 down. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell View 29 Photos News Source: Ward's Auto Green Hyundai Alternative Fuels Crossover Hydrogen Cars hyundai tucson fcv hyundai ix35

Is this the new Hyundai Elantra?

Hyundai's future models have a tendency to leak out of the South Korean market before they are shown elsewhere, and that appears to be the case with the next-gen Elantra. According to Indian Autos Blog, the official unveiling isn't scheduled in South Korea until April, but at least one shot of the upcoming sedan is online a few weeks early. Based on this single photo of the front of the car, Hyundai's designers are vastly altering the Elantra's styling for its latest generation, moving it closer to the current Sonata. The grille receives the wide, trapezoidal shape from the latest members of the brand's lineup, and the headlights wear a more angular look, as well. This image also barely shows an arching crease running up the side through the door handles. According to Indian Autos Blog, the powertrain range for the future Elantra might include the new 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder from the recently unveiled Tucson. In European trim, the engine makes 174 horsepower and is paired with either a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual. If you're wondering why it's worth caring about a Korean-market Hyundai, it's because the automaker often only lightly tweaks designs (if at all) before bringing them to the US. So, this is quite likely an accurate preview of the next-gen Elantra in North America, as well.

Hyundai missing Q1 earnings targets blamed on slow US sales

Slow US growth is hampering profits at Hyundai. In its first quarter financial statement, the Korean automaker reported a profit of 1.93 trillion won ($1.86 billion). According to Reuters, this is less than analysts' expectations and nearly the same as last year.
According to the report, US sales fell by 3 percent in Q1 2014. To make matters worse, the high value of the South Korean currency caused lower profits on models exported from there. On the bright side, Hyundai's Chinese sales rose by 9 percent, according to Reuters. It's also working on building a fourth factory there.
The company has had a rough time in the US throughout the quarter. John Krafcik, the CEO of Hyundai of America, stepped down on January 1, and the company was already predicting slow growth in sales for 2014. Falling quality scores for the Sonata and Elantra aren't helping matters either. However, there may be hope on the way. The second-generation Genesis Sedan was introduced to the US in Detroit, and the redesigned Sonata was recently shown in New York. Successful launches of these important models could prove crucial.