Updated Hyundai i20 WRC Looking Good for the Geneva Motor Show

While Kia has chosen to build and sell actual sporty versions (the Cee'd and Pro_Cee'd GT) of their regular road-going cars, in order to boost the sporting credentials of their brand, sister-brand Hyundai has chosen a slightly different approach in order to achieve the same basic goal – participation in the World Rally Championship. Read more »

This is the Only Hyundai i20 You Really Want to Drive

The Hyundai i20 is fine for what it is – an affordable, "cookie cutter" supermini with an inoffensive design and all the usual amenities you expect from a modern-day model, but it’s not the kind of car that will excite you.

Unless, that is, we're talking about the racing version that made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show last week and with which, the South Korean automaker will mark its return to the FIA World Rally Championship.

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Hyundai Announces Return to World Rally Championship With New i20-based Racer

If at first you don’t succeed, then try again. It took Hyundai almost nine years, but the South Korean automaker announced its return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) at the Paris Motor Show.

Hyundai’s previews attempt with the Accent WRC did not yield the results that the team expected, so it withdrew in 2003. However, it had a long-term goal of setting up an in-house racing team in Europe and competing in the world’s top rally championship.

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Hyundai Targets Brazilian Market with New 2013 HB20 Supermini, Confirms Sedan and CUV

With its sights heavily set on increasing its footprint in the growing Brazilian market, Hyundai lifted the covers off a new model named HB20 (HB stands for 'Hyundai Brazil'), with which it will enter the biggest and most competitive segment in the country’s car market.

The HB20 was not only designed for Brazil but it will also be the first model to be produced at Hyundai’s fully-owned new plant in Piracicaba, located in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Production of the sub-compact hatch will begin on September 20, while sales will start in early October.

"For Hyundai, the launch of HB20 means a lot more than simply presenting a new model. Unlike our other models currently offered in Brazil, HB20 is the first model strategically developed and produced exclusively for the Brazilian market," said Chang Kyun Han, President of Hyundai Motors Brazil.

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Hyundai Teases New HB20 Supermini Designed for the Brazilian Market

In its never-ending quest for global conquest, Hyundai is now targeting the popular supermini segment in Brazil with a new model named HB20 that stands for "Hyundai Brazil" with the '20' being a reference to the European market i20 upon which it is based.

Judging from the single teaser sketch and a video released by the South Korean carmaker, while similar in exterior dimensions, the HB20 and i20 will differ in styling with the Brazilian model sporting changes to the front and rear ends as well as the profile.

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Hyundai to Double Annual Production Capacity in Turkey by the End of 2013

Hyundai announced plans on Thursday to double its annual production capacity at its Hyundai Assan Otomotiv Sanayi (HAOS) facility in Turkey from 100,000 units today to 200,000 by the end of next year.

The South Korean automaker said it took the decision because of the growing demand from Europe and Turkey for its A- and B-segment models. In addition to the B-segment i20 supermini that has been built in Turkey since 2010, the HAOS plant will produce the next generation of the A-segment i10 city car, starting from the end of 2013.

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Refreshed Hyundai i20 to Hit UK Showrooms in May with Prices Starting from £9,995

After revealing the facelifted i20 at the Geneva Salon last month, Hyundai is now getting ready to roll out the supermini across Europe. In the UK, the i20 hatchback will be available in showrooms on 7 May with on-the-road prices ranging from £9,995 for the three-door 1.2 petrol Classic to £14,295 for the 89hp 1.4 CRDi Style model.

The revamped Korean supermini sports Hyundai's new face with the hexagonal front grille, while you'll also find changes at the rear with the redesigned bumper and taillights. Inside, Hyundai says it has improved the quality with soft-touch plastics, plus a revised center console along with updated seat trims.

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Hyundai Defies European Economic Crisis, Records Best Ever First Quarter Sales

Whereas many carmakers are seeing their sales shrink in Europe due to the financial crisis, Hyundai managed to register a record number of new cars between January and March 2012 with 114,571 units. This represents an increase of 12.5 percent over the same period 12 months ago.

In contrast, the overall European new car market declined by 7.3 percent in the first quarter of the year. The Korean automaker now holds a 3.3 percent share of the market.

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