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Hyundai mulling new Lexus-fighting upscale crossover

The idea of Hyundai marketing a luxury automobile might have seemed ridiculous a decade ago, but that was before the Genesis sedan, Genesis coupe and Equus came along. Now that buyers seem more accustomed to the notion of an upscale Hyundai, the Korean automaker is said to be considering launching a luxury crossover to take on the likes of the Lexus RX and Cadillac SRX.
The report comes from our compatriots at Edmunds, who spoke to Dave Zuchowski, head of Hyundai's North American unit, who said that the project is not yet part of the company's plan, but that "it is something under consideration."
The last time Hyundai entered that territory was with the Veracruz (pictured above), a model that was sometimes compared to but ultimately failed to compete with the Lexus RX when it was sold between 2006 and 2011. The Veracruz was effectively replaced by the seven-passenger Santa Fe with which it shared its underpinnings. This new project being considered would similarly be based on the latest Santa Fe, and the challenge Hyundai is facing once again would be to position it as a sufficiently upscale product to warrant a premium sticker price.

Hyundai planning 250-mile electric vehicle by 2020

Until plug-in vehicle buyers stop caring about all-electric range - and who knows when that might happen - the distance an EV can travel on a full charge will remain an important selling point. Most US drivers go less than 40 miles a day, but that's not stopping at least two high-profile automakers from building a 200-mile EV. Both the Chevy Bolt EV and the Tesla Model 3 are shooting for this target. They won't rest on their laurels. Hyundai is prepping a 250-mile electric vehicle for 2020. Byung Ki Ahn, Hyundai's director, eco-vehicle performance development group, revealed the plans to Autoblog today after also confirming a 200-mile EV for 2018. This is above and beyond the Ioniq EV that will launch in the US later this year with 110 miles of range. Hyundai already had revealed its plan to offer 26 new green models by 2020, including plug-ins, hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, but there were no specific details about the EVs mentioned there. The EV world will be quite different in four years, but Hyundai thinks it has a strategy to get its customers prepared for the launch of the three Ioniq models, which include a plug-in hybrid and a standard hybrid, and future EVs. Until now, the company believes, according to Chris Hosford, Hyundai's corporate communications executive director, the automotive industry has not yet adequately communicated the advantages and differences of plug-in vehicles to customers. As Hyundai prepares to flood the market with green models in the next few years, expect lots of educational materials to come from Hyundai dealerships, as well as commercials. "We know there is a lot of education necessary," Hosford said. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Hyundai Ioniq: New York 2016 View 11 Photos Green Marketing/Advertising Hyundai AutoblogGreen Exclusive Electric exclusive range anxiety ev range hyundai ev

Hyundai deferring car payments for furloughed federal workers

Since the US government shut down early this morning, more than 800,000 federal employees could be furloughed without pay until a deal is reached to start the government back up. To help affected employees cope with the temporary layoffs, Hyundai is expanding its Assurance program to defer all of their auto loan or lease payments until they're called back to work.
"We recognize the impact on family budgets that the furlough will drive," says John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. The automaker also says it will allow furloughed employees to buy new cars during October with help from a 90-day payment deferral.
We're sure Hyundai's act of goodwill relieves some of the stress that furloughed Hyundai owners and their families are experiencing. Check out the press release below.