2013(13)sonata Gls Fact W-ty Only 7k 1-owner Save Huge!!! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

China sticking to its guns on EVs for the future

Automakers are obviously free to develop whatever next-gen, zero-emissions tech that they want. However, if a company wants to get on the good side of the Chinese government, that strategy better include some plug-in vehicles. The authorities there are lending major support to plug-ins at the moment, and its forcing the auto industry to play along. According to Bloomberg, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and BMW are all launching dedicated EV brands with their joint venture partners, and as many as 40 electric models could hit the Chinese market this year alone. However, analysts don't think the vehicles are going to sell well. Instead, the launches are essentially a way for companies to play nice with the government and help get the approval to build factories in the country. Take Toyota as an example. The company is pushing the future of hydrogen hard with promotional films for the Mirai and engineers talking down fast-charging EVs. Still, the Japanese automaker is getting ready to launch two EV brands in China with its joint venture partners, according to Bloomberg. China's push for alternative fuels has been happening for a while, but it really kicked into high gear last year. The government has set a goal to improve fleet-wide economy by 40 percent by the end of the decade in order to spend less importing oil and for the population's health. The plan has shown some success so far with hybrid and EV sales growing early in 2015. Related Video: News Source: BloombergImage Credit: Kin Cheung / AP Photo Government/Legal Green BMW Hyundai Toyota Volkswagen Green Culture Technology Electric tax incentives chinese government

2017 Hyundai Elantra arrives with a host of upgrades [w/video]

We got a great idea of the 2017 Hyundai Elantra's styling when the company revealed it for the South Korean market a few months ago. Now, the US-spec car arrives at the LA Auto Show. The shape is just as expected, but Hyundai has new powertrains and tech in store, too. Hyundai designers simplified the Elantra's look for the latest generation. The sedan's nose now flows down to a hexagonal grille with horizontal slats, and squinting headlights flank it on each side with vertical LED running lights underneath. The new lower air dam leads air to wheel curtains that help lower wind resistance. The profile lacks the heavy sculpting of the current model, but a subtle character line sweeps up across the side for some visual interest. Narrow taillights stretch horizontally across the trunk. Even with the aesthetic changes, the overall size only expands slightly: length grows 0.8 inches to 179.9 inches, width increases an inch to 70.9 inches, and the wheelbase remains 106.3 inches. The interior features a more horizontal layout with metallic trim that runs across the dashboard. There are two infotainment choices beyond the base stereo. A seven-inch Display Audio system includes a rearview camera, and an eight-inch setup also has navigation. Both support Android Auto. Most trims of the 2017 Elantra feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that runs on the Atkinson cycle, and it produces an estimated 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai expects fuel economy ratings of 29 miles per gallon city, 38 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined with the six-speed automatic. The company also offers a six-speed manual only on the SE trim. The Elantra Eco arrives in spring 2016 with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder with 128 hp and 156 lb-ft and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The brand estimates 35 mpg combined with that combo. A much stronger platform is beneath the upgraded design. The Elantra now uses 53 percent advanced high strength steel compared to 21 percent before, and the change allows torsional rigidity to increase 29.5 percent. The engineers also work to improve NVH wherever possible with improvements like a hood insulator, thicker glass, sound-absorbing material, and plastic and rubber bushings for the front subframe. Drivers can order a plethora of driver assistance and safety tech for the 2017 Elantra including Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, adaptive cruise control and Blind Spot Detection.

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.