Hyundai continues to break down barriers illustrating its consumer lifestyle compatibility with the 2011 International Car of the Year (ICOTY) win for the all-new Sonata. The award was presented at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The ICOTY Awards honor vehicles based on lifestyle compatibility and the emotional connection between car and consumer.
“With a completely new look for 2011, the Sonata really took us by surprise,” said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY Executive Producer. “Hyundai laces the new Sonata with serious hardware including sporty suspension tuning and a strong powertrain that achieves best-in-class fuel economy scores. Combine that with a stunning shape and design, it truly is a complete package that will satisfy the emotional connection consumers seek when shopping for a mid-size sedan.” .“We’re delighted the ICOTY committee validated the choice of over 200,000 new Sonata owners in North America in 2010,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “The 2011 Sonata shows the power of Hyundai’s product recipe – industry-leading fuel economy, engaging design, and great quality – which we’ll continue to enhance with new models like the 2011 Elantra and the 2012 Veloster.”
The 2011 Sonata is the new industry standard for mid-size sedans with a unique fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine delivering class leading fuel economy, emotional design, high-tech and luxurious convenience features and standard safety equipment. It was the first mid-size car to receive a five-star crash test rating under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new, more stringent 2011 system and an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick honor, placing it in a safety position unsurpassed in the industry.
*Photo Caption: Hyundai Motor America CEO, John Krafcik, accepted the award for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata named International Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show on January 17. Presenters included jury members, Courtney Caldwell, Editor-in-Chief, Road & Travel Magazine; James Bell, VP Corporate Communications and Executive Market Analyst, Kelley Blue Book; Mike Martini, Bridgestone OE President and Perry Stern, editor of MSNAutos.com.
http://www.hyundainews.com
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, December 10, 2010
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 StudySM. 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.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
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
• 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.
Monday, November 29, 2010
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
The campaign is completely integrated across all marketing levers:
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
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
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.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
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
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.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
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