2014 Hyundai Sonata Gls on 2040-cars

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Hyundai partners with tech startup Smartcar to expand mobility apps

A new technology partnership between Hyundai and a Silicon Valley startup will expand the automaker's connected-car service offerings on its 2018 model-year vehicles, making it possible for owners to do everything from getting their car washed and detailed to fueling up, all without having to actually be there for it. Hyundai announced the partnership with technology startup Smartcar (not to be confused with the automaker) at the L.A. Auto Show to launch its Blue Link All-Access program. The platform aims to give Hyundai owners access to a broad array of new third-party connected-car applications, similar to how users download apps for mobile devices, by giving Smartcar access to its API. That means the automaker can offer new services more quickly, since it won't have to do a separate new integration for every new connected-car service, said Manish Mehrotra, Hyundai Motor America's director of digital business planning and connected operations. "We will develop Blue Link not as standalone system, but as an open platform that can seamlessly integrate the best ideas from inside and outside the company," Mehrotra said. App developers will work with Smartcar, based in Mountain View, Calif., as the single point of integration. Hyundai's Blue Link platform already had allowed owners to do things like sync addresses from their phones to their in-vehicle navigation systems via voice command, start and warm up the car remotely, and locate the vehicle when the driver forgets where he parked it. The new service will be offered on every 2018 model-year Hyundai free of charge for the first three years of ownership. Hyundai also announced a new pilot program in Southern California with an Orange County startup called Washos, which offers mobile car washing and detailing. Other time-saving existing or future applications include being able to get your dry cleaning or groceries delivered to your car while at work. Because the future is going to be BUSY. As further evidence of what he called "our deepening relationships with the technology community," Mehrotra also discussed the recent launch of Cradle, Hyundai's new venture-capital arm.

Hyundai Motor shares slide following U.S. probe of airbag failures

SEOUL — Shares in Hyundai Motor tumbled on Monday on a U.S. probe into why airbags failed to deploy in some of its Sonata sedans, with investors fretting about potential recall costs for the once popular cars. The probe, which follows crashes that reportedly killed four people and left six injured, will review the 2011 Sonata sedan as well as the 2012-2013 Forte made by affiliate Kia Motors, encompassing some 425,000 vehicles. It marks the second investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into the South Korean duo in less than one year, exacerbating headaches for Hyundai which reported in January its worst annual earnings in seven years. Hyundai has issued a recall for more than 150,000 U.S. Sonatas after incidents of non-deployment were linked to electrical overstress in the airbag control unit, but said it did not have a final fix. "What I am concerned about is that the recall will be expanded to other markets," said Ko Tae-bong, an analyst at Hi Investment & Securities. The Sonata and Forte sedans were responsible for driving sales for Hyundai and Kia in key markets in recent years, although they are no longer as popular as they once were. Ko estimated the U.S. recall could cost as much as $575 million if airbags were replaced in 425,000 vehicles under review and the automakers were found responsible for the problem. Hyundai Motor shares tumbled 4.8 percent while Kia Motors lost 3.7 percent. Parts supplier Hyundai Mobis fell 5.4 percent while the broader market was down 0.7 percent. Hyundai declined to comment on whether the recall would be expanded. Kia said it has not confirmed problems with the airbags but added it would "act promptly to conduct a safety recall, if it determines that a recall would be appropriate." The automakers told the South Korean regulator that the Sonata and Forte models sold in the domestic market were not affected, an official at South Korea's transport ministry told Reuters. The U.S. regulator said the airbag control units were built by ZF Friedrichshafen-TRW, a German auto supplier that acquired TRW Automotive in 2015, adding that it would determine if any other manufacturers used similar airbag control units and if they posed a safety risk. The NHTSA also said that electrical overstress appeared to be the root cause in the 2016 recall by Fiat Chrysler America of 1.4 million U.S. vehicles for airbag non-deployments in significant frontal crashes.

Redesigned 2019 Hyundai Tucson gets modest price bump

Hyundai says its refreshed 2019 Tucson is now hitting showrooms with a starting price of $24,245, including destination charge. That's a $700 bump up from the outgoing model, though Hyundai is currently offering a $2,500 discount on the 2018 model when purchased through Oct. 31, according to its retail website. For 2019, Hyundai gave the midsize Tucson crossover updates inside and out. There are redesigned front and rear fascias, including Hyundai's latest cascading grille, redesigned 17-, 18- and 19-inch wheels, and more advanced safety technology. All trim levels get Hyundai's SmartSense package, which includes forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist and driver attention warning. Electronic parking brake with auto vehicle hold and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are standard across all trim levels as well. View 14 Photos The optional 1.6-liter turbo-four engine is gone, replaced by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter that makes 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque for the higher SEL, Sport and Limited trims. The base SE and Value trim models get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 164 hp and 151 lb-ft. Both are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Inside, there are new designs for the center stack, cluster, panel vent and leather seats. The range tops out at $32,595 for the Limited with the Unlimited package in front-wheel-drive, or $33,995 for all-wheel-drive. The package adds features including pedestrian detection safety technology, high-beam assist, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front and heated rear seats and smart cruise control with stop and go. Related Video: Image Credit: Hyundai Hyundai Safety Crossover hyundai tucson