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Hyundai-Kia forecasts slowest sales growth in 8 years

Even with the arrival of the new Hyundai Genesis Sedan (above) and the expected introduction of at least two other new vehicles in 2014, Hyundai-Kia is estimating its sales will only increase by about 4.1 percent this year. Bloomberg has found that figure, which works out to a total of 7.86 million vehicles worldwide, to be lower than average analyst estimates of eight million vehicles. If the automaker is correct, that figure will represent the most sluggish growth for the Korean brands since 2006.
Based on an exchange rate of 1,050 won to the dollar - right now it's trading at anywhere from 1,050 to 1,052 depending on where you look - Hyundai is predicting a 3.8-percent uptick for sales of 4.9 million units, while Kia is expecting a 4.7-percent uptick for sales of 2.96 million units. That exchange rate is predicted to be part of what will hamper sales this year, with a stronger South Korean won making Japanese cars more price-competitive when cross-shopped. It's unclear how Hyundai derived its exchange rate, but 1,050 won to the dollar almost matches the 52-week high for all of 2013.
The company chairman mentioned a "low growth era" in the world economy, and weaker US sales are rumored to at least part of the reason John Krafcik recently vacated the post of Hyundai Motor America CEO, a post that has been filled by executive vice president of sales, David Zuchowski. That unexpected news capped a year in which two top execs resigned over quality issues and recalls and Hyundai agreed to settle a consolidated lawsuit over inflated fuel economy ratings for $395 million.

Next Hyundai Santa Fe carries Kona cues

Last week we showed you Hyundai's newest and smallest crossover, the Kona. This week, we bring you the newest version of Hyundai's largest crossover, the Santa Fe, albeit beneath much camouflage. There's a bigger connection between these two vehicles than just timing and size contrast, though. They appear to share some styling cues. We can see through the vinyl draperies on the nose and tell that it has an aggressive version of the Hyundai cascading grille, much like the Kona. It also has the slender top headlight element combined with larger, separate elements lower in the fascia, again like the little crossover. The camouflage also fits closely enough to the body to reveal that the main grille will be flanked by large vents that encompass the lower headlamps. We also see some Recaro racing seats through the windshield, but we doubt those will make production. Prove us wrong, Hyundai! Moving to the sides and tail, there are fewer details to discern. The size looks similar to the current model, and the roofline and window lines also look similar. The rear taillights do look slimmer than those on the present Santa Fe. As for when we may see this updated Santa Fe, we wouldn't expect a reveal until next spring at the earliest, possibly next fall, as a 2019 model. The reason for this is primarily the fact that the current Santa Fe was just refreshed for 2017, so Hyundai will likely give that update a little bit of breathing room. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Spy Shots View 10 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Spy Photos Hyundai Crossover Economy Cars hyundai santa fe

2016 Hyundai Elantra spied uncovered

The next-generation Hyundai Elantra has been speculated on and teased throughout this year. In March we got a leaked photo of a South Korean-market Elantra, the question being if this is was actually the new car and if we'd get in the US. Then we got officially sanctioned sketches of the exterior and the interior. Now Korean site Auto Tribune has leaked photos of the next Korean-market Avante, which is our Elantra, and they actually line up with the automaker sketches. According to Google Translate, the pictures were taken at a Hyundai factory in South Korea by a contractor. If this is the real deal, Fluidic Sculpture has given way to a grille that might want to at least send a "Thank You" note to Audi. Flanking that are smoother lines and a more subtle treatment of the front end, with sleek, pulled-back headlights decorated with a lengthy LED signature above boomerang inlets in the bumper. The sides have been flattened out, losing some of dimensionality of the current car to go more mature. The rear end looks similar to the current sedan, but wider, with long taillights featuring three LED elements. Inside, a three-spoke steering wheel veers toward the plain, and the current continuous waterfall center console gives way to a two-section instrument panel that has an eight-inch infotainment screen at the top, above HVAC controls. At the base there's an open cubby that doesn't look to have a cover, and the gear selector lever incline appears reduced. The overall impression is less engaging to the eye than now. Auto Tribune says a 1.6 liter GDI is under hood, which puts out 175 horsepower and 196 pound-feet of torque in the 2016 Tucson. We'll see the real car at the LA Auto Show later this year. Click through to Auto Tribune for more photos.