AT A GLANCE
TECHNOLOGY: Hyundai recently began wading into the electric hybrid market; experts’ ears are perked up due to Hyundai’s plans to use lithium polymer batteries, instead of lithium-ion, on some models.
HISTORY: The Hyundai Motor Company has been around – albeit under a slightly different name – since 1947. It didn’t start producing cars until 1968.
FAMOUS MODELS: Sonata, Elantra, Santa Fe
KNOWN FOR: Feature-packed, reasonably priced cars.
Quality at a great price
After decades of struggling with a reputation for producing cheap economy cars, Hyundai has turned a corner and is now viewed positively by the vast majority of consumers. Since its humble beginnings in South Korea in 1947, to its gradual introduction into the world of automobile manufacturing beginning in 1968, Hyundai has rolled with the punches and has emerged on the other side a clear winner.
The 1970s saw Hyundai begin its true ascent into worldwide automobile manufacturing dominance. The Pony, which became its flagship car, was marketed successfully in Latin America and then in Europe. In 1982, the Pony was redesigned and unveiled in Canada the following year. Just one year after that, the subcompact Excel became the first Hyundai vehicle sold in the U.S. Production exploded, and Hyundai was on its way.
In order to remain relevant in the coveted American marketplace, Hyundai began producing trucks in 1987. Soon thereafter, they unveiled what would become their most successful model: the Sonata. The Sonata was the first car produced exclusively for the North American market, and it proved to be a turning point for Hyundai.
Today, Hyundai has been ranked within the top few companies on the J.D. Powers Initial Quality Survey and is a respected brand among consumers. It’s proof that high-quality cars can also be affordable.
2013 VEHICLES TO WATCH
Veloster
The quirky but lovable Veloster adds a Turbo model armed with 201 horsepower for the 2013 model year.
Santa Fe
The all-new Santa Fe is available in two different versions: a five-passenger flavor, and a longer seven-passenger variety.
Sonata
Sonata builds on its trailblazing recipe of high-design and high fuel efficiency with more features, higher value, and better residual value.
