Hyundai Motor Company has gone from very bare beginnings to positioning itself as one of the most innovative and advanced car manufacturers in the world. During the 1980s, when the economical vehicles entered the North American market, they filled a huge hole in car sales. Students, families on tight budgets, and those worried about conserving fuel were not interested in big, expensive cars. Thus, the Hyundai Pony and Excel were a perfect fit. And although many people laughed at the little Korean cars, today Hyundai has reason to be proud of its accomplishments.
Founded in 1967 by brothers Chung Ju Yung and Chung Se Yung, the Hyundai Motor Company was a subsidiary of conglomerate The Hyundai Group controlled by Ju Yung. Se Yung was the first CEO of the car company, remaining with the company until he was ousted in 1999 by Ju Yung in favor of the older brother’s son. Many Westerners mistakenly attribute the success of Hyundai Motor to Ju-Yung, but Korean documentation, in the way of newspapers and obituaries, clearly indicates that Se-Yung was the driving force behind the brand. He was, in fact, the initiator of the original licensing agreement with Ford and subsequently, for the rest of his life, was affectionately known as “Pony Chung” or more formally “Chairman Chung”.
Most notably, customers are the top priority at Hyundai. Not merely as purchasers of the vehicles, but as a reward to the employees and management for a job well done. In fact, customer service and satisfaction are hallmarks of the Hyundai philosophy. While many companies claim their customers are the main focus of their businesses, most fail miserably at this basic concept. Hyundai, on the other hand, has built a worldwide reputation of listening and responding to their customers, as well as honing every detail of their cars. Some examples of their methods include:
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BMW is still pushing to convince consumers in the United States that waiting for a built-to-order-car is worth it. This challenges the penchant of buyers for an instant gratification.
The German car manufacturer will be rolling out the new X3 SUV on the early part of 2011 or just a few months after its launch this coming November in Europe. The company is planning to tap the US dealers to get on the market early to promote options small upgrades like an iPod adapter for $185 or a panoramic moonroof for $1,350.
The culture of built-to-order units which also helps manufacturers decrease costly inventories and avoid too much discounts is not a very common in the US with Lexus explaining that 2% of their deliveries every month are pre-ordered. The picture is different in Germany where one of two BMW is customized.
The efforts of BMW to change the culture and trend in the US may bump into big hurdles especially when consumers are not used to ordering as one part of the vehicle buying process. The American market is more of the impulsive type, where the consumer walks into a dealership and drives home with the car.
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There is a loud buzz around the automotive world that General Motors is discussing business with Google. The car manufacturer is tapping the talents of the technology giant to develop their in-car telematics. The move is basically aimed at rivaling the Sync/MyFord systems developed by Ford with Microsoft. Google might be marketing the Android OS for in-car tech use.
The OS supports the Android Smartphone of Google that is head on with the iPhone of Apple. Just like the Sync, the Android of Google will allow GM owners to link their vehicle with any smartphone brand. According to tech experts, the Android will be a big threat to the Sync system of Ford which was recently stretched to include several services collectively known as MyFord, MyLincoln, and MyMercury.
The Google linkup will not be totally similar to the Ford in-car system. The Android will let GM owners start, open, or tweak their trucks and cars. These are features not offered by the Microsoft system to Ford.
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Just this weekend, one of Ferrari’s classics was auctioned off. We’re talking about the Ferrari Superamerica 400 Cabriole Pininfarina which was in Monaco. The classic supercar was auctioned off at EU 2.8 million which is equivalent to US$3.5 million, and according to the Ferrari Weblog, that’s a steal!
The latest RM Sporting Classics Auction also featured a number of special cars from the Maserati and Ferrari line. The Superamerica is a rare breed, as it was one of only 5 short-wheelbased 400 cabriolet produced by Ferrari. The car had a tiny 95-inch-wheelbase. This particular vehicle was originally purchased by someone from Arizona back in 1962.
The first owner bought the convertible (with a V12 engine) when it recorded a 145 mph speed during the Bonneville Speed Trials. While it was out of commission for a few years, the car was completely restored in 2005. Before the auction, it was showcased last summer at Pebble’s Concours d’Elegance.
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According to Mercedes-Benz, it has recently given a custom-fit audio system to its SLS AMG sports car. The car manufacturer worked with Bang and Olufsen, a famous hi-fi specialist, to create an audio system that can produce 1000 watts of output. The new audio system will feature eleven loud speakers. Now, even for a sports car, that should spell an unbeatable listening experience.
The car manufacturer added that this system will be controlled by a special Bang and Olufsen menu. The said menu will be placed in the COMAND APS display and control system of the vehicle. The system won’t be wanting in style either. The subwoofers installed onto the parcel shelf and the 50-watt, lens-shaped illuminated tweeters will definitely give the sports car posh points.
The price of the system, though, is no laughing matter. You can get this audio system for a total of 7021 euros, which already includes the 21% VAT. Aside from the super cool audio system, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is also famed for its gullwing doors. It made its debut in 2009’s Frankfurt International Motor Show. The SLS AMG Gullwing is driven by a 6.3L V8 front-mid engine generating 571HP and 650 Nm of torque.
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Just recently, car manufacturer Toyota announced that it will be lifting its short suspension on the sales of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV. The sales suspension was caused by the incriminating label posted by the Consumer Reports magazine on the model. According to the magazine’s report, Toyota needed to update the stability control system of the vehicle for it to be road-safe.
While Toyota’s spokesperson sent an email declaring the company’s appreciation for the report, consumers know just how serious the label was. The New York based Consumer’s Union hasn’t declared any vehicle a “safety risk” since 2001. Toyota will certainly have to pour a lot of effort in redeeming its image after this record-breaking recall catastrophe.
The GC is sold at around US $52,000 a unit. Because of this, the sales for the vehicle were suspended for a few months. Rising above the situation, though, Toyota fixed all of the problems pointed out by the consumer-oriented magazine. It is currently selling the SUV again, plus the necessary alterations in the system of course.
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Just recently, Lotus released a concept car that was based on Toyota’s Venza. The concept, however, revealed a much sleeker, trimmed Venza. The idea was more than aesthetic, though. The mass reduction strategy employed by Lotus was geared on lowering the CO2 emission of the vehicle. Two versions of the concept were created: a near-term 2017 variant and another model which was set to be released in 2020.
Compared to the current Toyota Venza, the Lotus Venza’s mass was cut down by as much as 38% in the 2020 version. This is, of course, discounting the vehicle’s powertrain. The alterations amounted to only 3% of component costs. The 2017 version is a little bigger than the long-term Lotus Venza concept, with only 21% mass reduction.
The concept cars will be produced using technology and manufacturing processes that are viable, available and affordable by year 2020. Even with the powertrain, the 2020 Lotus Venza is still a good 33% smaller than the current Toyota basis. According to the US Department of Energy, this mass reduction should increase the fuel economy of the vehicle by at least 23%.
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Audi is slated to introduce the new A7 Sportback this September during the Paris Motor Show. According to the German car manufacturer, the four-door coupe is currently on its final development stages. If everything pushes through, the much-awaited vehicle should be hitting the market by March 2011 in the United Kingdom. This RS variant is V-10 powered and can generate up to 580 HP.
The manufacturer adds that the A7 is actually the very first model to be based on their mid-sized platform. This production will highlight the Audi’s A6 which is scheduled to be introduced next year. The car is 4950 mm long, and is admittedly designed to compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The other rival is BMW’s Grand Coupe, but this concept isn’t set to come out until 2012.
Topping the A7 line is the RS7 Sportback. The prime highlight of this vehicle’s performance is probably its engine. The 580HP V10 is a pumped up version of Audi’s naturally-aspirated 5.2L. The 580HP engine will also be paired with Audi’s brand new, 7-speed 2-clutch gearbox.
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Honda Motors Corporation, Japan’s second largest car manufacturer, will enjoy a rise in its profits this year. The latest forecast stated that the earnings of Honda will rise by at least 27%, thanks to the growing demand for its cars from North America. To date, North America is Honda’s biggest market followed by China and India.
The boosted net income of the Japanese car manufacturer can amount to 340 billion yen or US$ 3.6 billion. This is from last year’s 268.4 billion yen. The sales of Honda cars grew from 8.58 trillion yen last year to 9.34 trillion yen this year. The same reports state that Honda deliveries to North America may rise by 14%, amounting to about 1.48 million vehicles this year.
Koji Endo, the managing director of Advanced Research in Japan, believes that Honda may even give bigger figures in the coming months. This is because of the increasing demand for its cars from North America and other Asian countries outside Japan. Kendo also notes that Honda has always had a “conservative outlook”, which means that the figures they’re reporting may actually be smaller than their actual findings.
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The world has seen the royal design lines of the 2011 Mulsanne from Bentley in the past few months but recently, the luxury carmaker decided to reveal the full specs of the luxury sedan, reports The Bentley Blog.
The Mulsanne has a V8 6.75L powerplant that is capable of blasting out 505 horsepower under its hood. The torque of this vehicle is monstrous at 752 lb ft at 1,800 rpm. The powerful engine transmits all its power to the rear wheels via paddle shifting of an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
The car features some dynamics settings an owner will be proud of. It is quite a presence being 18.25 feet in length, 75.8 inches in width, and 60 inches in height. Quite heavy too at 5,700 pounds.
Here is the new stuff we are talking about which is mostly about the cars aesthetics. The Mulsanne will be providing great entertainment ot its occupant with a high tech set up using a Naim unit blasting sound waves through 20 speakers. A standard setup of 14 speakers does not take things lightly too.
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Founded in 1967 by brothers Chung Ju Yung and Chung Se Yung, the Hyundai Motor Company was a subsidiary of conglomerate The Hyundai Group controlled by Ju Yung. Se Yung was the first CEO of the car company, remaining with the company until he was ousted in 1999 by Ju Yung in favor of the older brother’s son. Many Westerners mistakenly attribute the success of Hyundai Motor to Ju-Yung, but Korean documentation, in the way of newspapers and obituaries, clearly indicates that Se-Yung was the driving force behind the brand. He was, in fact, the initiator of the original licensing agreement with Ford and subsequently, for the rest of his life, was affectionately known as “Pony Chung” or more formally “Chairman Chung”.
