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Hyundai preparing to enter US commercial vehicle market

The commercial van segment has been surprisingly hot in the US over the past few years with new or updated entries from Ford, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Ram. Now, it looks like we can add one more to that lineup because Hyundai plans to enter the market here, too. The decision is part of the brand's newly announced push into the commercial vehicle segment worldwide, according to Reuters. Hyundai intends to invest 2 trillion South Korean won ($1.8 billion) into the venture through 2020, and the Korean automaker expects the segment to grow by 30 percent annually worldwide over the next five years. Around 1.6 trillion won ($1.5 billion) of that goes towards development of new models and engines for the division. Another $363 million is for expansion of the company's Jeon-ju plant to build 100,000 units there each year. According to Reuters, there's no set timeline on the US introduction of these models yet. Hyundai already sells commercial vehicles in Korea and China but holds just 2.1 percent of the global market in the segment. Autoblog reached out to Hyundai Motor America to learn more, but company spokesperson Jim Trainor said via email, "It is too early to provide any more details concerning the sale of commercial vehicles in the US market." The company is already setting it sights on the European commercial segment with the HG350 (pictured above). It's offered as either a cargo van or flatbed and is meant to compete against market stalwarts like the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter. Rather than this vehicle, the US might get one of Hyundai's newly developed models, though. The automaker previously suggested to Autoblog that it wasn't "seriously considering" the HG350 for this market, at least at that time. Hyundai Motor Plans to increase Jeon-ju Commercial Vehicle Plant capacity to 100,000 units • Hyundai Motor to invest KRW 2 trillion on commercial vehicle development and production until 2020 • New Pilot Center, Global Training Center expected in Jeon-ju plant • 1,000 new jobs to be created following the increased capacity February 16, 2015 – Hyundai Motor announced today that it will invest KRW 2 trillion over the next six years to enhance its global commercial vehicle competitiveness. KRW 1.6 trillion will be invested on developing new models and engines to strengthen global commercial vehicle competitiveness.

2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco priced from $21,485

Hyundai announced base price for the 2017 Elantra Eco. $21,485 (including destination fee) gets you a sedan with a 1.4-liter turbo swapped in place of the Elanta's standard 1.8-liter or optional 2.0-liter four cylinder engines. EPA fuel economy figures of 40 highway, 32 city, 35 combined represent increases of 2, 4, and 3 over the 1.8-liter Elantra. The Elantra Eco gets mixed scores compared to the competition but the figures are misleading. The Hyundai's numbers reflect the updated 2017 fuel economy numbers, which are generally lower than 2016. Starting next year, automakers will change the way they adjust test figures to come up with the window sticker numbers. Comparing 2017 Elantra Eco apples to the 2016 competition's oranges, the Elantra is close to even. The Honda Civic (both turbo and naturally aspirated engines), Chevrolet Cruze, and Toyota Corolla Eco rate the same 35 combined mpg. The Hyundai's city number is one to two better than the field, but the highway figure is the same difference behind. In terms of pricing, the Elantra Eco costs around $1000 to $1500 more than base grade versions from the competition, but comes with a decent level of standard features. Keyless entry and ignition, blind-spot warning with cross traffic alert, dual-zone climate control, and heated seats are all included in the base price. A seven-speed dual clutch automatic is the only available transmission.Related Video: Fountain Valley, Calif., May 5, 2016 – Hyundai Motor America today announced pricing for the all-new 2017 Elantra Eco starting at $20,650. Elantra Eco is the most fuel efficient Elantra, delivering an EPA estimated 40 mpg on the highway and 35 mpg in combined city and highway driving. These mpg ratings could result in an average annual fuel cost of just $900 (source: fueleconomy.gov). 2017 Elantra Eco Pricing MSRP (excluding freight): $20,650 MPG (City / Highway / Combined): 32 / 40 / 35 Annual Fuel Cost*: $900 Engine: 1.4-liter turbo GDI 4-cylinder Transmission: Seven-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission with Shiftronic® *Data from Fueleconomy.gov (4/21/2016) Pricing above excludes $835 freight charge Elantra Eco's LED daytime running lights flank a bold hexagonal grille. On the inside, there is a standard seven-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ support.

Hyundai Sante Fe gets zombie survival machine treatment for NY Comic-Con

Surviving a zombie invasion isn't easy, and Hyundai takes life-or-undead situations pretty seriously, as made clear by its devotion to creating zombie-annihilating vehicles. Earlier this year, Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead comic series that gave birth to the hit television series of the same name, designed a Zombie Survival Machine around a Hyundai Veloster hatchback.
This year, TWD fan Anson Kuo has conjured up a Santa Fe sports utility vehicle capable of mowing down hoards of zombies with extra room for passengers and supplies. Hyundai says Kuo's design was built by Galpin Auto Sports and will be unveiled at New York Comic-Con on October 10.
"We love Anson Kuo's take on this Santa Fe Zombie Survival Machine - it's creative... and deadly," says Steve Shannon, vice president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America.