2012 Kia Forte Ex on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Kia recalls 2006-10 Sedona and 2007-09 Sorento for risk of electrical short

Kia Motors has issued a precautionary recall on 228,829 units of 2006-10 Sedona minivans and 2007-09 Sorentos due to a rare possibility of a short circuit that could cause a fire in the engine compartment. Kia expects about 1% of the cited vehicles could have moisture in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign No. 20V088000 says that some 2006-2010 Sedonas and 2007-2009 Sorentos have a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) within the ABS module that could be susceptible to moisture damage. Should moisture enter the HECU, it could cause an electrical short circuit, which could then spark a fire. Because the HECU is energized when the car is turned off, this issue could arise even while the vehicle is parked.  Kia has yet to determine exactly how and why moisture is getting into the HECU, and it's not the first time this type of problem has caused a recall. Hyundai Motors recalled 429,686 Hyundai Elantra and Elantra Touring models for the same issue.  Because there isn't a certain root defect to fix, Kia has devised a plan to reduce the risk of fire. Kia will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box, free of charge. This will prevent power from going to the HECU while the ignition is off. Kia will alert owners of affected vehicles starting April 10, 2020.  Kia and Hyundai have also been involved in completely separate engine-fire-related recalls in the recent past. Throughout the previous few years, Kia and Hyundai have recalled millions of cars, crossovers, and SUVs with faulty oil pans and high exhaust temperatures that damage catalytic converters. As a result, the NHTSA opened an investigative probe into Kia's and Hyundai's handling of the recalls and resolutions.   Related Video:

Hyundai plans to catch up with other automakers, offer EVs

YONGIN, South Korea (Reuters) - South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co is developing its first dedicated architecture for electric vehicles, seeking to catch up with the likes of Tesla in the growing segment with multiple, long-range models. While the platform will not be completed soon, Hyundai Motor and affiliate Kia plan to roll out small electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) based on an existing underpinning next year, said Lee Ki-sang, who leads Hyundai-Kia's green cars operations. Hyundai will launch an electric SUV, followed by a sibling model by Kia Motors next year, Lee said, citing strong demand for SUVs. The subcompact or compact models would have a range of more than 300 km (186 miles) per charge, and would be "more competitive" than rival offerings, Lee said. And Hyundai said in a statement on Thursday that it plans to launch a new luxury electric vehicle under its Genesis marque in 2021, after introducing a plug-in hybrid version of an unidentified Genesis model in 2019. The separate platform represents a major push into the battery electric-car segment for a firm which has long trumpeted rival fuel-cell vehicles, reflecting strong investor pressure to compete more vigorously in a market that has been stimulated by U.S.-based Tesla's longer-range models. And tough fuel-economy and emissions regulations in the United States, Europe and China are compelling automakers to push fuel-efficient cars even though low oil prices have undercut demand. Hyundai's electric-car platform would allow the automaker to install a battery pack in vehicle floors to accommodate more battery capacity and maximize cabin space, Lee said. "The electric-vehicle platform will require high up-front investments, but we are doing this to prepare for the future," he said at Hyundai-Kia's green car research center in the city of Yongin, outside Seoul. He did not reveal the cost. Lee, a senior vice-president at Hyundai Motor, was speaking during an interview on the eve of an auto show that kicked off in Seoul on Thursday. Analysts said Hyundai had no choice but to build separate electric-vehicle platforms to be relevant in the segment. "The separate platform may incur losses initially, but Hyundai will be left behind the market if they don't offer long-distance models, like 300 km, 500 km and 600 km," said Ko Tae-bong, an analyst at Hi Investment & Securities.

The Kia Rio has never looked this good

The word "Rio" immediately conjures images of the Olympics, which ended just days ago. But recalibrate your brain. It's Kia's best-selling model around the world and it will be revealed in September at the Paris Motor Show. The fourth-generation Rio gets a fresh look inside and out. It has a longer wheelbase with a longer hood and front overhang, which Kia says is meant to convey confidence. The sketches released today look similar to the current generation – as we'd expect – but Kia designers dressed it up with a fancier front end and "straight lines and smooth surfacing" which is evident on the sides. Kia also touts the new Rio's safety, connectivity, and improved handling, though it didn't specify the features. You can compare the sketches with the spy shots of a Rio caught running around this week. Rumors also suggest a hotter Rio GT hatch could arrive for 2018. The sketches show the hatchback variant. Kia also sells the Rio as a sedan in the US market. Globally, the Korean automaker moved more than 473,000 Rios last year, and the new model will launch production near the end of this year for Europe. Timing for launches in other markets was not announced. Despite low fuel prices and consumer demand for crossovers, Rio sales have inched up slightly this year to 18,699 units, 1,637 ahead of last year's pace through July. Much of those gains came last month, when Kia sold 1,104 more Rios than it did in July 2015. The Rio was last updated in the US market for the 2016 model year. Related Video: