Hyundai Moves Into Times Square With New Outdoor Campaign

PRESS RELEASE: HYUNDAI MOVES INTO TIMES SQUARE WITH NEW OUTDOOR AD CAMPAIGN

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 11/05/2009 - Hyundai Motor America moved into one of the world’s most high-profile advertising venues with a new Times Square billboard. The space at 2 Times Square in the heart of the famous “crossroads of the world” is a cubed shaped sign offering three display faces. The front display has two LED screens showing an updated stream of Hyundai video content, flanked on each side by two vinyl banners. The first Hyundai ads to be placed in Times Square feature Genesis Coupe. Hyundai is leasing the space through Sherwood Outdoor.

The video display enables Hyundai to develop new content that is both contextual and engaging. For example, the current videos feature the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe flying around the world-famous Road Atlanta racetrack, drifting through corners and accelerating down straightaways. A question is posed: “What’s your excuse?” Viewers are prompted with: “But officer. . .,” then given a series of fill-in-the-blank responses:

“I always drive fast when I hear opera!”
“I was trying to activate the flux capacitor.”
“I get muscle spasms in the leg.”

“As one of the world’s largest brands, Hyundai is actively looking for ways to integrate with the world’s biggest advertising venues, such as the Super Bowl, Academy Awards and World Cup,” said Chris Perry, director of Marketing Communications, Hyundai Motor America. “Times Square billboards draw 1.5 million impressions daily and it is one of the most iconic locations for outdoor advertising, so it aligns perfectly with our overall brand strategy.”

Continue reading for the complete press release.

In the future, Hyundai will integrate text messaging capability so that viewers can customize responses and post them to the video board. Hyundai is exploring other interactive capabilities for the display, and will integrate new campaigns to ensure the content is fresh and topical.

The Times Square billboard follows a year of high-profile advertising initiatives from Hyundai. Hyundai launched its exciting new Genesis Coupe during Super Bowl coverage, and sponsored the game’s pre-game show. In addition, Hyundai sponsored the Academy Awards for the first time ever, airing a total of eight spots during the telecast focused on the innovative Hyundai Assurance consumer program.

ABOUT HYUNDAI

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide.

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USA: Kia Announces October Sales, Reports Gains

On the heels of its best quarter ever in company history, Kia Motors America today announced October sales of 22,490 units, a 45.3-percent increase over the same month last year. Year to date sales totaled 261,060, a 7.2-percent increase over the same period last year. October sales were led by the all-new Forte compact and Rio subcompact, selling 4,984 and 4,005 units respectively. The Borrego SUV posted its best month ever with 3,919 units.

Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic transformation of its line-up, contributing to the brand’s continued gains in U.S. market share. The upcoming launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be built at the company’s first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, is set to further enhance the line-up.

[Source: Kia Motors America]

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USA: Hyundai Sales Surge 49 Percent for October

Hyundai Motor America today announced October sales of 31,005 units, a 49 percent increase compared to October 2008. Calendar year-to-date, sales were up 4 percent. This marks the tenth consecutive month of year-over-year gains in retail market share. Hyundai posted the largest market share growth in the auto industry, up 1.2 percentage points (from 3.1 percent to 4.3 percent) for the first ten months of this year.

“We’ve done a good job of selling down our 2009 model year inventory over the last few months, with about two-thirds of Hyundai car sales in October being fresh, 2010 model year vehicles,” said Dave Zuchowski, vice president of sales. "We have our all-new Tucson launching at the end of this year and the 2011 Sonata coming early next year, so we are excited about the terrific new products we’ll be filling our dealerships with.”

The Genesis continued its strong growth trend with sales of 1,850 units, a 65 percent increase. The subcompact Accent and compact Elantra had significant increases of 106 percent and 225 percent respectively versus 2008, while the Santa Fe delivered a solid sales gain of 70 percent. Sonata sales slipped 2 percent to 7,790 units while Tiburon sales plummeted to zero.

[Source: Hyundai Motor America]

Continue reading for the complete sales chart.

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Spied: 2011 Kia Optima/K5 (TF)

Hot on the heels of the forthcoming domestic launch of Kia's K7/Cadenza, we bring you the latest spy shots of Kia's upcoming replacement for the mid-size Optima sedan, to be called K5 in the Korean market. The current-generation Optima, badged as Lotze in Korea, made its debut in November 2005 and was significantly revised for 2009 with major styling updates.

Scheduled to make its Korean debut in April 2010, the upcoming Optima/K5 (code-named "TF") will be a complete redesign. As indicated by spy shots, Schreyer's latest work will also be substantially larger compared to the current model.

Stylistically, the K5 is a stunning departure from the mundane style of the generation it will replace. The front end will feature Kia's sleek corporate fascia(for reference, see the new Sorento and Forte) incarnated by Peter Schreyer. As evident in a close-up shot, the K5 will also be available with LED headlights in the Korean market. The side profile is highlighted by a sweeping chrome window sill that extends to the trunk lid. The rear-end will ostensibly resemble the K7/Cadenza.

As of now, we have no confirmed details on what engines will be available for the new K5. The 2.4L Theta II 4-cylinder will certainly be one offering, as well as the 2.4L GDI (gasoline direct injection) 4-cylinder with an output of 201 horsepower. In addition, we expect an array of diesel and LPI engines to be offered in various markets. The North American model will likely be available with a 3.5L Lambda II V6 as well.

Stay tuned for more information and spy shots in future posts.

Continue reading to view more spy shots of the K5.

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Hyundai Genesis Coupe Debuts in Forza Motorsport 3 for Xbox 360

Racing game enthusiasts will be able to test their driving skills in the Genesis Coupe in "Forza Motorsport 3," launched in the U.S. on Oct. 27, exclusively on Xbox 360. Developed by Turn 10 Studios, "Forza Motorsport 3 unites the racing game genre where players will live out their dreams behind the wheel of more than 400 of the most-beloved cars, including a roster of Hyundai favorites."

"Genesis Coupe's participation in 'Forza Motorsport 3' will raise Hyundai's awareness with driving enthusiasts and the very important youth segment," said Joel Ewanick, vice president of Marketing at Hyundai Motor America. "The mission for Genesis Coupe was to create a pure performance car and for it to appear in such a realistic racing simulator is awesome."

The vehicles can be driven on over 100 renowned real-world tracks and exotic road courses from around the globe. Breathtaking HD graphics and advanced vehicle performance modelling make "Forza Motorsport 3" arguably the most realistic racing game in the market today. To celebrate the flourishing "Forza" community, Hyundai will be gifting a free downloadable vehicle package on Xbox LIVE on Nov. 17, 2009. The package will include the Rhys Millen Racing Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe, HKS Genesis Coupe and a one-of-a-kind Genesis Coupe.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe will also boast its own race series within the Career mode of the game. Hyundai is also developing an online photo and video upload contest for "Forza" gamers who can show off their best in-game photo and video of the Genesis Coupe in action.

[Source: Hyundai Motor America via Reuters]

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Kia Releases Soul Tempest Limited Edition for U.K.

Kia Motors has launched a limited-edition Soul "Tempest" for the UK market today. Replacing the outgoing "Samba" model, the Tempest is the latest addition to the automaker's Original Collections line-up in the UK.

The Tempest comes in a Titanium Silver finish with black high-gloss bumper inserts and door mirrors, and is fitted with unique black 18-inch alloy wheels. As for the interior, the Tempest gets 'Soul-Shine' black seat trim with metallic center fascia and chrome accents on the dashboard and instrument clusters.

Other key features of the limited edition model include a reversing camera system with electrochromic rearview mirror and an upgraded audio system featuring a dash-top centre speaker, rear sub-woofer and external amplifier.

The Soul Tempest is available with 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines with prices starting from £12,845.

[Source: Kia Motors]

Continue reading for the press image.

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