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Hyundai NA CEO Krafcik awarded Automotive Executive of the Year

Hyundai North America CEO John Krafcik is this year's Automotive Executive of the Year. DVN Business Assurance presents the award each year, and this year, Robert Djurovic, executive director of the award program, said Krafcik won the nod because he "reshaped the way Hyundai approaches the market with consumer focus, compelling design and enduring value." While speaking at the award ceremony, Krafcik said that he was humbled by the recognition and that he accepted the accolade on behalf of Hyundai team members, dealers and suppliers.
Krafcik joined Hyundai in 2004 as the vice president of product development and took on duties as chief executive in 2008. Since then, the automaker has seen a flurry of new products and a substantial jump in market share. His efforts have also helmed Hyundai to two North American Car of the Year awards in 2009 and 2012 for the Genesis and Elantra, respectively. Krafcik also helped Hyundai navigate through the company's fuel economy debacle that began late last year, in which the automaker admitted it overstated the efficiency ratings of many of its automobiles.
The Automotive Executive of the Year Award has been recognizing industry leaders since 1964. You can read the full press release below for more information.

Hyundai recalls 6,071 more Velosters over shattering sunroofs

Back in December, Hyundai issued a recall affecting some 13,500 Veloster hatchbacks because their optional panoramic sunroofs could possibly shatter while the vehicle is in motion. Now, an expansion of that recall has been announced, with an additional 6,071 units of the 2012 model year hatchback figuring in to the problem.
The original recall covered cars built between November 1, 2011 and April 17, 2012, but this expansion concerns vehicles built from July 4, 2011 to October 31, 2011. Just like before, the official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bulletin states that these vehicles may be fitted with sunroofs that were inadvertently weakened during installation, and thus, can possibly break while the vehicle is in motion.
This second sunroof recall is expected to kick off next month. Dealers will inspect the sunroofs in these affected vehicles and will replace the whole assembly if necessary, free of charge. Scroll down to read the full NHTSA report.

Hyundai Veloster N TCR gives the hot hatch legit racing credentials

In addition to debuting the Elantra GT N Line, Hyundai used the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit to debut a new race car, the Veloster N TCR. With a 350-horsepower turbo-four, it is eligible to race in the 2019 International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Michelin Pilot Challenge series and the 2019 Blancpain GT World Challenge. According to Hyundai, the Veloster N TCR was designed by the same Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing team that created the i30 N TCR and shares about 85 percent of the "core components," including the engine. The Veloster N TCR is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder that makes 350 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. Power is sent to the front wheels using a six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifting and an AP Racing cerametallic two-disc clutch. Life Racing handled the ECU, the power management system and the instrumentation. The Veloster N TCR rides on MacPherson struts with adjustable dampers up front and a multi-link rear suspension, also with adjustable dampers. Behind the Hyundai Motorsport 10x18 wheels, two-piston calipers up front and six-piston Brembo calipers in the rear handle braking. The exterior, which features a ferocious widebody aero kit and enormous rear trellis wing, uses steel and composite fiber paneling for the bodywork. With an added steel roll cage and the driver in the car, the Veloster N TCR weighs a claimed 2,833 pounds. Hyundai admits that the move works well for marketing its cars. Previously, the i30 N TCR has been racing in markets where the i30 N road car is not available. In the U.S., the i30's equivalent is the Elantra GT, but Hyundai does not offer an Elantra GT N in America. It does, however, now offer the new Veloster N here. So now fans of the touring car racing series will be able to watch a car that they can walk into the dealership and buy. The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season starts on Jan. 25 at Daytona International Speedway and spans 10 races across North America. Bryan Herta Autosport, the designated Veloster N TCR retailer in the U.S., will race two cars in the upcoming season. Michael Lewis and Mark Wilkins will race one, while 20-year-old Mason Filippi and 18-year-old Harry Gottsacker will drive the other. They will go against the likes of the Honda Civic Type R TCR, the Volkswagen GTI TCR, and the Audi RS3 LMS TCR.