HYUNDAI IMPROVES IN J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES CUSTOMER RETENTION STUDY

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 12/10/2010

Hyundai significantly gained ground in the rankings of the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Customer Retention Study^SM. Hyundai ranked number three among nameplates in the brand loyalty study, seven rank positions above the industry average and up eight rank positions over 2009. Hyundai has a retention rate of 60 percent, 12 percent points higher than the industry average, and 13 percent points higher than last year. Hyundai’s 60 percent retention rate is the highest the brand has achieved since the study’s inception in 2003 and is eight percentage points above its 2003-2009 average of 52 percent. Hyundai’s gains in product appeal, quality, and vehicle quality contributed to the brand’s highest increase in customer retention. Hyundai owners are more likely this year than in 2009 to cite Fun to drive (new veh.), Fuel Economy (new veh.), and Safety (new veh.) as reasons they stayed with the brand. 

“We believe these results demonstrate that customers are connecting with our new ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language on Tucson and Sonata and our agile driving dynamics,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “We aim to raise our retention rates even higher next year with the all-new Elantra and Equus arriving in dealerships right now.”

The Customer Retention Study measures the rate at which automotive brands retain their existing customers and the reasons why owners remain loyal. Customer retention is critical to a brand’s market success, particularly during the current period of slow recovery, in which each new-vehicle sale is vital.

In addition to customer retention, the study also examines rates at which automotive brands capture customers from their competitors, known as conquesting. The importance of a fun-to-drive vehicle has also increased as a reason why brands conquest new customers from their competitors.

According to J.D. Power and Associates, now that economic and market conditions have improved somewhat, vehicle owners are increasingly citing emotional, rather than practical, reasons for staying with their vehicle brand or switching to a different one. In light of this, developing new models with attractive styling and that are perceived as fun to drive is increasingly critical for automakers in order to retain and conquest customers as the market continues to recover.

www.hyundainews.com

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA SETS ALL-TIME NOVEMBER SALES RECORD

• Retail Sales up 85 percent
• Total Volume up 45 percent
• Hyundai First to Report 40-mpg Vehicle Sales

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 12/01/2010

Hyundai Motor America today announced an all-time record for November sales of 40,723 units, up 45 percent versus 2009.  November retail sales were up 85 percent from last year.  For the year-to-date, Hyundai has already established a new annual sales record with total volume of 493,426, up 23 percent versus the same 11 month period in 2009, with retail sales up 33 percent for the same period.  Fleet sales mix for the month of November was 11 percent.

“We are encouraged by a second consecutive month of strengthening industry retail sales. With Hyundai’s rapidly expanding lineup of fresh, fuel-efficient and high quality products, we’re positioned right in the sweet spot for this recovery,” said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales, Hyundai Motor America.  “Hyundai’s DNA is all about delivering best-in-class value, quality and fuel efficiency. We are equally committed to providing customers with a memorable retail experience as was recently reflected in our improved position in the rankings of the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI), where Hyundai was the most improved brand in the industry and the top-ranked Asian brand.   We have aggressive plans in place to sustain this momentum into December and leverage a healthy holiday selling season to finish out this record-breaking year with a flourish.”

With the first 192 sales of Hyundai’s all-new 2011 Elantra already recorded this month, Hyundai begins a new sales-reporting methodology it hopes all brands in the industry will follow.  “The 2011 Elantra is the first of four planned 40-mpg vehicles in Hyundai’s lineup,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “But for us, leadership isn’t how many low-volume special-edition 40-mpg models we offer, but rather how many 40-mpg vehicles consumers actually buy. We aim to lead the industry in the sales of 40-mpg vehicles, and to make this a challenge that everyone can follow, we’ll be the first to report our monthly 40-mpg vehicle sales tally. We’d love to see others follow our lead.”

Elantra, Sonata, and Tucson sales for November increased 41 percent, 72 percent, and 243 percent respectively, while Genesis achieved an all-time sales record of 3,005 units, up 72 percent, marking the 17th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases for Hyundai’s award-winning premium car.  Genesis will be joined by Equus, Hyundai’s all-new flagship, in dealership in December.

http://www.hyundainews.com/

HYUNDAI AND YOUTUBE SENSATION POMPLAMOOSE RING IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH INTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Winter Sales Season Kicks Off With New Music from Popular Performing Duo

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 11/29/2010

Hyundai is taking one of the Internet’s breakout artists, Pomplamoose, into mainstream media with a winter marketing campaign featuring new music from the popular YouTube duo. Pomplamoose’s Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn recorded three new covers of traditional holiday favorites for the campaign. “Deck the Halls” is the theme for a new Genesis spot announcing a lease offer of just $399 per month. “Up on the Rooftop” is the soundtrack for an all-new 2011 Sonata spot introducing a $199 per month lease special. And “Jingle Bells” is used in several spots featuring deals on Accent, Elantra and Santa Fe. The campaign kicked off November 22 and runs through January 3, 2011.

“Traditional holiday campaigns are like wallpaper. We asked our agency of record, Innocean, to find something that would stand out.  This interesting YouTube sensation, Pomplamoose, intrigued us from the onset, and we’re delighted by the distinct, fresh sound they add to our creative,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “With the open, honest dialogue created through our recent ‘Uncensored’ campaign still fresh in consumers’ minds, this effort adds charm and warmth – along with amazing deals for car buyers. The integrated campaign will tie all marketing channels and leverage the built-in audience that Pomplamoose has amassed through their video songs.”

Conte and Dawn are featured playing instruments and singing in all of Hyundai’s holiday advertising. Their music combines Dawn’s warm vocals with Conte’s musical talent. Every instrument in their music is performed individually and then mixed together in their “video song” style. The pair of Stanford University grads also edited the spots, ensuring they are authentic to Pomplamoose’s style.

The campaign is completely integrated across all marketing levers: 

- TV

- Radio

- Digital: Banners, Tout and Hyundai.com

- Point of Sale Kits

- Social: YouTube, Facebook postings

- CRM: email and direct mail

Several variations of the spots can be viewed on Hyundai’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/hyundai

www.hyundainews.com

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http://twitter.com/MDHyundaiStore

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2011 HYUNDAI SONATA NAMED “BEST CAR TO BUY”

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.

TheCarConnection, the easy-to-use car shopping site that reviews cars and the best of the Web, today named the 2011 Hyundai Sonata its “Best Car to Buy 2011”.  Announced at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2011 Sonata topped TheCarConnection’s numeric ratings among all vehicles with a base price of less than $50,000, including destination.  In earning this distinction, the Sonata beat out luxury competitors including the Acura TSX, the Infiniti M37 and the BMW 5-Series, among others.

TheCarConnection’s “Best Car to Buy Award” was chosen from a field of 40 nominees. The winner came from reviews written by the site’s editors, who road-test nearly every new vehicle introduced each year.  Editors rated each new vehicle for performance, styling, utility, features, safety, and assigned a green score, then incorporated opinions from the around the Web in each review.  The result is a unique, one-stop car rating and review that makes car shopping easier for consumers.

“The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a stellar value in all its forms - standard, turbocharged, and hybrid,” said Marty Padgett, editorial director of High Gear Media.  “The Sonata changes the midsize sedan game. Exceptional safety, fuel economy and standard features make it a must-drive for any new-car shopper.”

The all-new 2011 Sonata represents a modern approach to the traditional midsize sedan segment by using only advanced four-cylinder engines, emotional design and luxury features offered with Hyundai’s strong value proposition.  The Sonata features a new Theta II 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine and an in-house six-speed automatic transmission, delivering class-leading fuel economy of 22 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 198 horsepower standard.  The all-new Sonata raises the bar when it comes to features and technology offered within the midsize car segment.  In addition to standard XM Satellite^® radio, the Sonata boasts segment-first standard Bluetooth^® hands-free phone system, available HD Radio Technology™ with multicasting (allowing the broadcast of alternative side-band content on HD stations) and heated front and rear seats.  The Sonata is also the first vehicle in its segment with advanced touchscreen navigation available on all trim levels.

Hyundai also offers consumers turbo and hybrid versions of Sonata.  The turbocharged 2011 Sonata 2.0T produces an unprecedented combination of segment-leading fuel efficiency and power – with an estimated 33 mpg highway rating and 274 horsepower.  The Sonata Hybrid features Hyundai’s breakthrough Direct Hybrid Blue Drive architecture using Lithium Polymer battery technology and is projected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, while also offering outstanding city fuel economy of 36 mpg.

http://www.hyundainews.com/

Hyundai New Title Sponsor of PGA TOUR’s Season-Opening Event

Annual Kapalua Tournament Renamed Hyundai Tournament of Champions

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif , 11/04/2010

The PGA TOUR, Hyundai Motor America and Seoul Broadcasting System International (SBS) today announced that Hyundai has become the title sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s season-opening tournament at The Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii for the next three years. 

As part of this agreement and commencing with the 2011 tournament, the event is being renamed the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, reintroducing the tournament’s original moniker that highlights the exclusive field of PGA TOUR tournament winners from the prior season. This title sponsorship continues Hyundai’s “Big Voices in Big Places” strategy, positioning the Hyundai brand in the highest profile advertising venues including the NFL’s Super Bowl, an exclusive automotive sponsorship of the Academy Awards and a global sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

“Hyundai’s title sponsorship of the PGA TOUR’s traditional season-opening tournament aligns our brand with world-class athletes who mirror our own competitive drive,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “This sponsorship ensures that every champion at the tournament will arrive in luxury, and the fans that follow the sport will be exposed to an all-new interpretation of intelligent luxury, the Hyundai Equus.”

Formerly known as the SBS Championship, this season-opening limited-field event was originally introduced as the Tournament of Champions in 1953 at Desert Inn Country Club in Las Vegas and maintained the Tournament of Champions identity until its title change in 1994.  The Tournament of Champions remained at Desert Inn Country Club until 1967, when it moved to Stardust Country Club.  The “T of C” then moved to La Costa Country Club in Carlsbad, Calif. in 1969, where it remained until moving to Kapalua in 1999.

“We are delighted to welcome Hyundai to the PGA TOUR family,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.  “In our discussions, Hyundai expressed interest in continuing its brand momentum throughout the U.S., as well as further strengthening its position in Asia.  This title sponsorship will help accomplish these goals.”

After discussions with the PGA TOUR and SBS, Hyundai agreed to partner with both as the title sponsor of the event. SBS, the former title sponsor of the event, will continue its involvement with the tournament based on its original 10-year sponsorship agreement announced in May 2009.  Under that agreement, SBS will underpin the tournament through 2019. SBS will have hospitality and other on-site activities.

SBS also will continue to broadcast PGA TOUR tournaments in Korea through 2019.  SBS has been a broadcast partner of the PGA TOUR for more than 15 years.

Two-time defending champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia will look to three-peat at the 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions on Monday, January 3 through Sunday, January 9, 2011, with four full-day coverage on the Golf Channel.

http://www.hyundainews.com/

2011 Hyundai Equus vs 2011 Bentley Mulsanne

Source:  Motor Trend

HYUNDAI ACHIEVES TOP BRAND VALUE GROWTH IN AUTO INDUSTRY

• Hyundai rises four notches to No. 65 in the Best Global Brands 2010 by Interbrand, compared to last year
• Hyundai outperforms its peer group in brand value growth

Hyundai Motor Company, the fastest-growing automotive company by brand, saw its brand value increase by 9.3 percent from a year earlier in the Best Global Brands 2010 by Interbrand, outperforming the industry’s average growth rate.

Hyundai, which has been included in the Best Global Brands for six consecutive years, ranked No. 65 out of 100 brands this year, a steady increase from the No. 84 position in 2005. The growth rate of 9.3 percent this year significantly outperformed the industry’s average growth rate of 2.8 percent.

“A deeper look into the change indicates that Hyundai has been successful in functional attributes such as quality and design, has a strong new vehicle line-up, and received substantial global exposure during the World Cup and Super Bowl. Hyundai’s strategies have paid off,” Interbrand said.

In fact, Hyundai’s brand recognition was largely strengthened in major automotive markets such as China and the U.S., as well as emerging markets, thanks to the company’s diverse market portfolio, high quality products and aggressive marketing activities. In the U.S., the all-new Sonata pushed Hyundai’s sales volumes to a record, while in China, Hyundai doubled its sales in 2009 from the previous year.

Hyundai continues to make large investments in innovative marketing programs to enhance its brand power and will keep introducing new models that reflect its latest design identity, ‘fluidic sculpture.’

Source: Hyundai Motor America

2011 HYUNDAI SONATA EARNS TOP SAFETY RATING FROM NHTSA

Sonata One of Only Two Models to Earn Five-Star Overall Vehicle Score in Updated Testing Procedures


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded an overall five-star crash test rating, the highest government ranking under the agency’s New Car Assessment Program, to the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata withstood the agency’s more rigorous 2011 testing procedures to receive the top safety rating. Sonata is built from the ground up with safety in mind, with a hot stamped ultra-high-strength steel body structure, advanced airbag technology and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), delivering on Hyundai’s commitment to both active and passive safety technology leadership.

The 2011 Sonata launched earlier this year with Hyundai’s first-ever Gasoline Direct Injection engine, producing a segment-best 35 miles-per-gallon highway fuel economy rating. Two new Sonata variants – a 2.0-liter turbo and Hyundai’s first-ever hybrid – will hit showrooms this fall. Sonata sales, up nearly 60 percent over 2009 through September, prove that its combination of standard safety, fuel economy and sleek design are hitting the mark with consumers in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment.

“The Sonata nameplate has historically raised the bar for safety in the mid-size sedan category, dating back to the introduction of standard Electronic Stability Control on the 2006 Sonata,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “The 2011 Sonata furthers our commitment to safety with a suite of equipment and third-party test results that are unsurpassed in the category.”

NHTSA’s upgraded ratings system will now evaluate side pole crash testing and crash prevention-technologies. And, for the first time, it will use female crash test dummies to simulate crash scenarios involving women, not just men. Sonata comes standard with six airbags—including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side curtain airbags—along with active front-seat head restraints.

Sonata was not only built to withstand accidents, it was designed to help drivers avoid them all together. The Sonata’s state-of-the-art braking system exemplifies its suite of active safety technologies. The package includes four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to automatically adjust the braking force to front and rear axles based on the vehicle loading conditions.

Other safety features include shingle-style rear-seat head restraints for improved visibility, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, front-seat seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, and a rear-seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for child seats.

One of the most significant changes to the ratings program for consumers is the addition of an Overall Vehicle Score. The Overall Vehicle Score combines the results of a frontal crash test, side crash tests and rollover resistance tests and compares those results to the average risk of injury and potential for vehicle rollover of other vehicles. The 2011 Sonata scored well in all phases of the testing including five-star side-impact, five-star rollover and four-star frontal crash test, resulting in an overall five-star performance. This pertains to Sonatas produced from June 2, 2010 to September 7, 2010.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
NHTSA is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety. The agency strives to exceed the expectations of its customers through its core values of Integrity, Service and Leadership. NHTSA provides leadership to the motor vehicle and highway safety community through the development of innovative approaches to reducing motor vehicle crashes and injuries.

Source: Hyundai Motor America

Kbb.com: Hyundai Ousts Nissan to Become One of Top Five Most-Considered Brands

Kbb.com: Hyundai Ousts Nissan to Become One of Top Five Most-Considered Brands

2011 Hyundai Sonata

Executive Editor Edward Loh has all the test numbers on
Hyundai's new 2011 Hyundai Sonata

What Folks Are Saying...

about College Park Hyundai

We realize that in this day and age any business, especially an automotive dealership, must go the extra mile in order to drive success.  As a result, we have hired an outside company to conduct surveys of our customers.  We survey both Sales and Service customers and we monitor/respond to their survey responses daily.  After monitoring for only 2 months, we find that we have tons of happy customers and awesome comments; and, we can report that:

 95% of our Sales Customers answered YES to: “Would you recommend this dealership to a friend or relative to purchase or lease a vehicle?”

92% of our Sales Customers answered YES to: “If you had any concerns during the purchase or lease process were they completely resolved?”

91% of our Sales Customers answered with a 4 or a 5 to: “How would you rate your overall experience at this dealership?”(5 being the highest)

We here at College Park Hyundai continue to build a reputation of providing courteous, honest service.  We know our customers appreciate the way we do business and they show us continuously as we have the honor of selling 150+ New Hyundais per month and servicing 800+ vehicles per month.  We strive to do our very best and we see we have a little work to do to get to 100% Customer Satisfaction!  Our goal remains for our customers to 'Experience the Difference'!

Comments from recent HYUNDAI SALES Customers