If you can’t beat piracy…

Chinese automaker Rongcheng Huatai Automobile has unveiled a new car called “Rover” in English; however its local name is pronounced “San-da-i-fe”. The vehicle looks exactly like Hyundai’s first-generation Santa Fe SUV.

A case of piracy, perhaps?

Not so… Hyundai says that Chinese automaker has acquired the rights to sell the Santa Fe, as well its overall design and engine, so that Rongcheng Huatai can develop its own version. Hyundai stopped producing this version of the Santa Fe in 2006.

Why did Hyundai do this?

"According to Hyundai officials, the company decided to enter into such a contract because it is difficult to prevent Chinese carmakers from copying its products."

Read it here.

Tags: Hyundai, Santa Fe, Hyundai Santa Fe, Rongcheng Huatai Automobile, Rongcheng Huatai, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, China, Chinese auto industry, Chinese automotive industry, piracy, Chinese piracy

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Most dependable cars: Buick and Jaguar

J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study says that these are the highest ranked for 2008.

1. Buick and Jaguar (122 problems per 100 vehicles)
2. Lexus (126)
3. Toyota (129)
4. Mercury (134)
5. Infiniti (142)
6. Acura (146)
7. Lincoln (147)
8. Cadillac and Honda (148)
9. Porsche (150)
10. Audi and Ford (159)
11. Hyundai (161)
12. Subaru (162)
13. Chrysler (165)
14. BMW (166)

The industry average for problems per 100 vehicles is 170. Subaru had the lowest score at 263.

Notable sub-par results: Mercedes Benz (184), Volvo (186), Hummer (221) and VW (260).

Tags: Buick, Jaguar, Lexus, Toyota, Mercury, Infiniti, Acura, Lincoln, Cadillac, Honda, Porsche, Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Subaru, Chrysler, BMW, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, J.D. Power

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Hyundai bucks trend, increases sales

Hyundai’s January 2009 sales were up 14 percent versus January of last year, and 2 percent above December… the only manufacturer to buck the devastating downward sales trend in the U.S.

They did it thanks to a brilliant idea and an effective marketing plan.

In a nutshell, the new Hyundai Assurance protection program says that if you buy a car from them and lose your income in the next year, you can return it.

You can read more in their Certainty in Uncertain Times brochure, or watch the ad here.

Tags: Hyundai, Hyundai Assurance, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

Winners and losers in global market share: forecast

According to Global Insight, a leading American market intelligence specialist, these are the automakers that will grow the most in global market share over the next five years:

1. Tata (India): will grow 0.6 percent (current market share: 0.6 percent, 2013 forecast: 1.2 percent)
2. Chery (China): will grow 0.4 percent (0.6, 1.0 percent)
3. Renault (France): will grow 0.3 percent (3.1, 3.4 percent)

Other brands that will gain market share: Maruti (India), Nissan, BMW, Audi, Mitsubishi, Skoda and Wuling (China). All will increase 0.1 percent.

Brands that will stay the same: Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Dodge.

Carmakers that will lose global market share:

1. Ford: will lose 0.7 percent (current market share 7.1, 2013 forecast: 6.4 percent)
2. Peugeot: will lose 0.4 percent (2.9, 2.5 percent)
3. Daihatsu: will lose 0.3 percent (1.2, 0.9 percent)
4. Lada (Russia): will lose 0.2 percent (1.1, 0.9 percent)

Other automakers that will lose global market share: Toyota, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, Fiat, Suzuki, Mazda and Opel.

Tags: auto industry

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Hyundai up in U.S.

In a recent post I mentioned that only Honda had increased sales during June in the U.S., where overall car sales fell 8% mainly due to high gas prices.

It turns out that Hyundai also had a good month, with a 14% increase compared to the same month in 2007. Hyundai had several stand-out models: sales grew 69% for their Elantra compact, 91% for their Accent subcompact and 26% for their midsize Sonata.

"This new era of high oil prices will be a good opportunity for us to expand our reach,"  said Yoon Mong Hyun, top strategist at Hyundai.

Tags: Hyundai, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Accent, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

2008 highest quality trucks and multi-activity vehicles

J.D. Power’s 2008 Initial Quality Study is out, and these are the top trucks and MAVs (multi-activity vehicles) in each segment:

Compact MAVs

1. Honda CR-V
2. Chrysler PT Cruiser
3. Ford Escape

Midsize MAVs

1. Dodge Durango
2. Hyundai Santa Fe
3. Toyota Highlander

Large MAVs

1. Toyota Sequoia
2. Chevrolet Tahoe
3. GMC Yukon

Midsize premium MAVs

1. Lexus RX
2. Lexus GX 470
3. Porsche Cayenne

Large premium MAVs

1. Lincoln Navigator
2. Infiniti QX56
3. Cadillac Escalade

Large pickups

1. Chevrolet Silverado LD
2. Toyota Tundra
3. Chevrolet Avalanche

Midsize pickups

1. Dodge Dakota
2. Ford Ranger
3. Toyota Tacoma

Vans

1. Ford E-Series
2. Nissan Quest
3. Chevrolet Express

Tags: J.D. Power, Dodge Durango, Dodge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai, Toyota Highlander, Toyota, Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet, GM, General Motors, GMC Yukon, Lexus, Lexus RX, Lexus GX 470, Porsche, Porsche Cayenne, Lincoln Navigator, Infiniti, Infiniti QX56, Cadillac, Cadillac EscaladeChevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Avalanche Dodge Dakota, Ford, Ford Ranger Toyota Tacoma Vans Ford E-Series Nissan Quest Chevrolet Express, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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2008 highest quality compact cars

J.D. Power’s 2008 Initial Quality Study is out, and these are the top cars in the sub-compact and compact segments:

Sub-compact cars

1. Honda Fit
2. Kia Rio
3. Hyundai Accent

Compact cars

1. Honda Civic
2. Toyota Prius
3. Hyundai Elantra Sedan

Compact sporty car

1. Mazda Mx-5 Miata
2. Subaru Impreza
3. Pontiac Solstice

Compact premium sporty car

1. Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
2. Porsche Cayman
3. Volvo C70

Tags: J.D. Power, Honda Fit, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, Honda Civic, Toyota Prius, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda Mx-5 Miata, Subaru Impreza, Pontiac Solstice, Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, Porsche Cayman, Volvo C70, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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Luxury cars in China: BMW and Hyundai-Kia

A recent post talked about the paradox in China’s automotive policy: the government wants manufacturers to make electric and hybrid cars, but at the same time price controls on gas are motivating the sale of SUVs and luxury cars.

Here’s what some of the major carmakers are doing in China:

BMW in China: Will triple capacity by 2012, from 35,000 to 100,000 annual units, via their joint venture with Brilliance China. Car sales grew 43 percent (14,574 units) from January to March this year, after growing 42 percent in 2007.

Hyundai-Kia in China: Working to expand presence, Hyundai just opened second plant to achieve annual output of 600,000 units, Kia will open second plant in 2010. Have released two high-end vehicles, the Rohens (Genesis) luxury sedan, and the Barui (Mohave) luxury SUV.

Tags: Brilliance China, Brilliance China Automotive Holdings, Hyundai, Kia, Hyundai-Kia, Hyundai China, Kia China, Hyundai-Kia China, Rohens, Barui, BMW China, BMW, China, Chinese auto industry, Chinese automotive industry

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Geneva show boasts green

The EU is about to make official their proposal that will force carmakers to cut average carbon dioxide emissions by 25%; current levels stand at 160 grams per km.

That’s why most automakers will be showing off their environmentally friendly vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Standouts include:

• Saab 9-1X, a compact, ethanol-powered crossover
• Toyota  iQ concept car
• Audi A3 convertible
• Kia Soul

New SUVs will be on display as well, most notably:

• Toyota Urban Cruiser, based on the Yaris
• Volvo XC60, a smaller XC90, based on the Land Rover Freelander platform
• Renault Koleos, their first SUV, based on partner Nissan’s X-trail

Diesel electric hybrid SUV concepts will be shown by BMW and Mercedes Benz, the latter with their GLK model.

Tags: Saab, Saab 9-1X, Toyota, Toyota iQ, Audi, Audi A3, Kia, Kia Soul, Urban Cruiser, Volvo, Volvo XC60, Renault, Renault-Nissan, Renault Koleos, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mercedes GLK, GLK, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, electric cars, hybrids, hybrid technology, flex-fuel, diesel

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LA Auto Show preview

The 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show is coming up, and we’ve just received some interesting preview information that I’d like to share.

The event will be held November 16 through 25, and will include some 14 world debuts and 30 North American debuts.

A few manufacturers have already announced their intentions:

• Hyundai will world premiere a new sports car concept
• Nissan will showcase an all-new, mid-size Murano crossover
• Volkswagen will show a new mini-car concept design. 

Several manufactuers will be highlighting vehicles that are making their first appearance in the U.S.:

• The new Jaguar XF luxury performance sedan
• The new BMW 1 Series coupe
• Mitsubishi’s tenth generation Lancer Evolution
• Subaru’s all-new WRX STI
• Nissan’s GT-R supercar

In addition, these are the luxury cars making their debut in the U.S.:

• The $1.4 million Lamborghini Reventon
• Ferrari’s new lightweight 430 Scuderia
• Bentley’s new Continental GT Speed
• Porsche’s most powerful 911, the new GT2

The show will also have a special award for their "Green Car of the Year".

Tags: LA Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai, Nissan, Nissan Murano, Volkswagen, Jaguar XF, BMW 1 Series, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru WRX STI, Nissan GT-R, Lamborghini, Lamborghini Reventon, Ferrari, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Bentley, Bentley Continental GT, Porsche, Porsche 911 GT2, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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