2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Awd - $25000 (accord, Ny) on 2040-cars

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Watch Indian cars fail Global NCAP crash tests miserably

It's taken for granted that cars currently for sale in Western countries pass crash tests, and often merit four- or five-star safety ratings in NCAP or NHTSA tests. This is why these scores attained by Indian market cars are so galling: seven vehicles currently sold in India got zero stars in any category – a horrifying clean sweep. It is understandable that cars sold in a developing market are cheap and equipment levels are low, but acceptable crash safety is something that should be considered essential in all markets. The cars tested in the Global New Car Assessment Programme were Hyundai's Eon, Maruti Suzuki's Eeco and Celerio models, Mahindra's Scorpio SUV and several Renault Kwid models. All of the cars were manufactured in India for the Indian market, and the Mahindra Scorpio was the sole larger car. It was first introduced in 2002, with updates made in 2006 and 2014. Mahindra has long planned to export its vehicles to the United States, with the likeliest version a pickup variant of the Scorpio. Renault's Kwid crossover was tested in three versions. Initially, the Kwid was tested with and without airbags, and on both accounts it scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and two stars in child occupant protection. Renault strengthened the bodyshell and the crash tests showed the updated Kwid's structure did not collapse; still, it was rated unstable and that it couldn't withstand further stress. On closer inspection, the structural reinforcements were found to be done only on the driver's side of the passenger cell. Renault has confirmed more safety updates are on their way. "We welcome Renault's efforts to correct this and we look forward to testing another improved version with airbags. Renault has a strong record of achievement in safety in Europe and it should offer the same commitment to its customers in India", says Global NCAP's David Ward. "Global NCAP strongly believes that no manufacturer anywhere in the world should be developing new models that are so clearly sub-standard. Car makers must ensure that their new models pass the United Nations' minimum crash test regulations, and support use of an airbag." The airbag-equipped Kwid was the only model of the seven cars tested that was fitted with one. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This is how the Mahindra Scorpio performed. This content is hosted by a third party.

Ex-Hyundai CEO Krafcik joins TrueCar board amidst IPO plans

Former Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik has had a tumultuous year. Last June, he won the Automotive Executive of the Year from DNV Business Assurance. Then in December, he suddenly announced he was stepping down from his leadership role at the Korean automaker on January 1, with some suggesting it was because the company's sales growth was too far below forecasts. Now, it looks like the exec has landed a new role on the board of directors of online car shopping website TrueCar.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Krafcik's role will be to build relationships with automakers and dealers, but the job at TrueCar won't be full time. Since leaving Hyundai, Krafcik has also been doing consulting work in Silicon Valley. "It's helped me understand what I might want to do, full, full time. I am just taking things at the appropriate pace," he said to the Journal.
Krafcik, who is widely considered one of the industry's top executives, took the helm at Hyundai America in 2008 and led it to an increase in sales and market share. He was with the company when it won North American Car of the Year awards in 2009 and 2012 for the Genesis and Elantra, respectively.

Hyundai built an awesome Santa Fe to cross the Antarctic

Remember those amazing Arctic Trucks Toyota Hiluxes Top Gear used to go to the North Pole? Well Hyundai created a Santa Fe in a similar way for a trip across Antarctica. To do so required some significant alterations, all of which turned the Santa Fe Sport into a wicked off-roader. For added ground clearance, Hyundai fitted portal gears to the ends of the axles, a la Mercedes-Benz G550 4x42. Big tires also help with ground clearance, and the 38-inch examples used on the Santa Fe Sport are in fact enormous. They can even be deflated down to just 2 psi for maximum traction. And since the trip would be both long and cold, a huge 60.75-gallon fuel tank and an engine heater were installed. To sweeten the Antarctic trip, Hyundai brought along the great-grandson of Sir Ernest Shackleton. For those unfamiliar, the elder Shackleton made an attempt to cross the Antarctic in 1916. Unfortunately, as the video explains, his ship became trapped in the ice during the journey. Shackleton and the crew abandoned their goal of crossing Antarctica, and instead worked to survive, which they did. So for the centennial of Shackleton's attempt, Hyundai invited the great-grandson along to finish the trip. Hyundai also carved the names of Sir Shackleton's crew into the Santa Fe Sport's sheet metal to symbolically bring them along, too. You can see it all in the video above, along with more details on the trip at this website. Related Video: