2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA RANKED ONE OF THE TEN BEST GREEN CARS BY KELLEY BLUE BOOK’S KBB.COM

Kbb.com Recognizes 40 MPG Elantra for Second Year in a Row

COSTA MESA, Calif., April 18, 2012 – The 2012 Hyundai Elantra has been named one of the 10 Best Green Cars for 2012 by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com for the second consecutive year. In this annual list, especially timely this year due to rising gas prices and just in time for Earth Day 2012, the kbb.com editors present a variety of fuel-efficient vehicles worthy of buyers’ consideration.

“The elusive 40 mpg mark is hit and miss for non-hybrid cars, but for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra it's an easy target,” said kbb.com editors. “The Elantra obtains 40 highway mpg in all trim levels thanks to its fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine, all while looking good in its wavy sheet metal and offering value with its low entry price.”

Standout fuel efficiency alone is not enough to win a spot on kbb.com’s annual 10 Best Green Cars list. Kbb.com’s editors also weighed factors like value, features and comfort in putting together this year’s collection of exceptional efficiency experts.

“With its 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway standard fuel economy rating, Elantra is a perfect vehicle for consumers looking for an affordable solution to rising gas prices,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Elantra is one of the vehicles at the core of Hyundai’s fuel economy strategy. In the first quarter of 2012, 39 percent of all Hyundai vehicles sold achieved 40 mpg on the highway thanks in large part to Elantra’s continued success.”

All Elantra models achieve the milestone 40 MPG highway fuel economy rating, along with the Accent, Sonata Hybrid and the Veloster. The 2012 North American Car of the Year Elantra adds an ActiveECO System for 2012 that modifies engine and transmission control to smooth out throttle response and increase real-world fuel economy by up to seven percent.

For more information about kbb.com’s 10 Best Green Cars for 2012, please visit http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/10-best-green-cars-2012/.

KELLEY BLUE BOOK

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, 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 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.

Hyundai to put 100,000 more cars on sale

    Hyundai has a problem that a lot of other brands might envy -- not enough cars to sell. Now it's doing something about it.
    The South Korean automaker is trying to squeeze an additional 100,000 cars for its dealers to sell this year, says John Krafcik, the company's North American CEO.
    As it stands, the South Korean automaker's assembly and engine plants in Montgomery, Ala., are almost at capacity. But the company expects to reduce the portion of cars its sells to fleet customers (rental companies, government agencies and corporations) from about 10% to between 5% and 6%, Krafcik told journalists in Birmingham, Mich.
    Hyundai also should gain incremental capacity from new models it is introducing that are produced in South Korea, such as the redesigned full-size Azera sedan, which just went on sale, and the new Genesis coupe, which went on sale last month.
    That's good news for dealers because Hyundai had only 55,000 cars available at the end of March, but had sold nearly 70,000. By the end of the month, Hyundai's inventory had dwindled to 25 days' supply compared with an industry average of 55 days, according to WardsAuto.com."We are literally selling cars off the transporters," Krafcik said.
    The automaker's chairman, Chung Mong-koo, has decided that Hyundai, following several years of rapid growth, should improve quality, customer service and supplier relations before adding new plants in North America.
    Azera gets 29 miles per gallon on the highway and 20 mpg in the city. It costs $32,000 to $36,000, depending on options."We are driven by this goal to be the most-loved car company," Krafcik said. "It's not about volume."
    The 2013 Genesis coupe comes with either a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 274 horsepower or a 3.8-liter, V-6 engine that generates 348 horsepower. Prices range from about $24,000 to more than $34,000.

TWO ALL-NEW SANTA FE MODELS MAKE THEIR DEBUT AT THE 2012 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

Hyundai will be introducing two all-new 2013 Santa Fe models at the New York International Auto Show.  The third generation Santa Fe crossover family introduces the two-row, five passenger Santa Fe sport and the long wheel base three-row, seven passenger Santa Fe.  The all-new Santa Fe family showcases the brand's cutting edge capabilities through fluidic design, impressive fuel economy and a host of features to delight drivers and passengers with high expectations for functionality and comfort.  The Sport will go on sale late this summer while the larger Santa Fe will not hit dealerships until January 2013.

Hyundai Tucson Takes Top Honors in the Small SUV Category

Hyundai ranked as the number two brand in terms of total value, according to Strategic Vision’s 2012 Total Value Index.  Additionally, the Tucson was named the Small SUV segment leader in the Strategic Vision’s study.  The TVI looks at all aspects of perceived value; from quality, to economics to customer appeal.  The Tucson strikes a stark contrast from its competitors and excels in every functional area, from its roomier cabin with extra cargo space to its excellent fuel economy and fun-to-drive personality.  The Tucson has long term economic factors such as warranty, technical innovation, standard equipment and fuel economy.  The Tucson also maintains the company’s “fluidic sculpture” design and showcases precedent-setting engineering including advanced weight saving technology and two eco-efficient Theta II four-cylinder engines delivering up to 32 mps on the highway.