Burlington Hyundai

Thule, a world leader in transportation accessories, named the 2010 Tucson Limited as the Thule Road Trip Vehicle of the Year under $30,000. The all-new Tucson with its athletic European design features a roomy cabin with extra cargo space, class-leading fuel economy and cutting-edge technology.  Tucson also keeps its passengers informed and comfortable with available options such as Hyundai's first panoramic sunroof, touch-screen navigation and a Bluetooth^® hands-free phone system.

"The Tucson is fun to drive, fully accommodates the needs of its driver and passengers and delivers up to 31 mpg on the highway," said Mike Nino, product planning manager, Hyundai Motor America.  "Inside, Tucson features a total of 19 different storage places and drink holders, perfect for the out-of-town travelers.  Add to that, award winning safety performance due to standard features such as ESC and six airbags and the Tucson is the ideal crossover for road trips."

In its third year, Thule's Road Trip Vehicle of the Year awards are reserved for automobiles above and below $30,000 that provide the perfect combination of fun, utility, gas mileage, safety and conveniences for a family or group of four planning the great American road trip.  The ranking system is based on 10 unique criteria: styling, storage, gas mileage, size, cost, number of cup holders and speakers, warranty, entertainment options, safety and comfort.  Additional considerations are given to vehicles that offer four-wheel or all-wheel drive.

"When you sit in the Tucson you really feel part of the vehicle. The seats combine the right combination of support and comfort. The control dials are intuitively placed around the driver and keep their eyes up toward the road," said Tripp Wyckoff, vice president of Sales, Marketing and Service, Thule. "With one of the best warranties in the industry, the Tucson Limited should be a consideration for anyone looking for a well-rounded road trip worthy vehicle."

Along with Tucson, the Volvo XC70 is being recognized by Thule as the over $30,000 Road Trip Vehicle of the Year.  For more information about the awards visit

http://www.thule.com/en/CA/About%20Thule/Newsroom/News%20and%20Releases/Thule%20Annouces%202010%20Road%20Trip%20Vehicles%20of%20the%20Year.aspx.

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com named the 2011 Equus to its Top 10 Summer Sizzlers list, a compilation of all-new early arrivals from the automotive class of 2011.  The Equus is Hyundai's newest flagship, built on world-class rear-wheel-drive architecture and powered by the award-winning 4.6-liter Tau® V8.   Equus competes with the best luxury sedans in the world on all levels including amenities, performance, advanced technologies, design and ownership experience.

"With its cutting-edge technologies, bold style and unparalleled combination of luxury and value, Equus will attract a new type of buyer to the Hyundai brand," said Scott Margason, director of Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America.  "Equus will help translate Hyundai's successful formula for intelligent luxury into the retail and service environment so that owners get a high-end experience at a more affordable price point."

The Top 10 Summer Sizzlers list profiles the 10 new vehicles that are most likely to excite consumers as the new 2011 model year begins.  This summer, automotive manufacturers from around the world have opened one of the most diverse and intensive product launch schedules in their collective history. Intent on jump-starting sales to accelerate the nascent auto industry recovery, they have begun filling U.S. showrooms with 2011 model-year rides.

"From redesigned longtime success-stories to all-new entrants to the marketplace, many hot 2011 model-year cars are coming through the product pipeline this summer," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.  "It's never been a better time to be in the market for a new car, because auto manufacturers have stepped up their game to offer more choices than ever."

"A daring move by Hyundai to step up in class, the new Equus sedan seeks to directly confront luxury cruisers like the Lexus LS460 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class," said kbb.com editors.  "Based on a stretched Genesis platform, this high-minded Hyundai matches tasteful exterior styling with a megaload of premium interior appointments. Mechanically, the Equus offers a 385-horsepower/4.6-liter V8, six-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission, variable air suspension and comprehensive vehicle dynamics package."

Joining the Equus on the kbb.com Summer Sizzler list are the BMW 5 Series Sedan, Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Coupe, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Fiesta, Honda CR-Z, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mazda MAZDA2, Saab 9-5c, and Subaru Impreza WRX/STI.  For more information about the Top 10 Summer Sizzlers list from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, visit http://kbb.us/2010sizzlers.

Advertising Breaks July 1st; Online and Social Media Components Reinforce Consumers' Authentic Response to Test Driving Hyundai Models

Hyundai will launch a new integrated marketing campaign in July starring everyday consumers. In a mall tour spanning from Atlanta to Chicago to Los Angeles in May and June, Hyundai captured the unscripted, unedited remarks of drivers as they tested various Hyundai models. Those impromptu remarks highlight the Hyundai "Uncensored" campaign. A total of six new spots will be joined by digital, radio, social media, experiential, CRM and point-of-sale components as the campaign ramps up in July and runs through the end of August.

"Hyundai 'Uncensored' was born out of the insight that consumers are most influenced by other consumers, so we captured totally organic conversations from people inside our cars and packaged them into an integrated campaign," said Chris Perry, vice president of marketing, Hyundai Motor America. "Going one step further, we're giving consumers the opportunity to drive our cars and tell their friends about the experience through social media components of this campaign."

The 30-second spots highlight Sonata, Santa Fe, Accent and Elantra as well as Hyundai's full model lineup. Messages include the peace of mind provided by Hyundai Assurance including America's Best Warranty and roadside assistance, design, value and Hyundai's industry-leading fuel efficiency. Advertising will air on both cable and network television, and outtakes will be posted to Hyundai's YouTube channel by mid-month. Hyundai's adverting agency, Innocean Worldwide Americas, is responsible for the creative.

The experiential campaign focuses on two key strategies. First, 125 non-Hyundai sedan owners will be given a new 2011 Sonata to drive for 30 days. Their comments will be posted - unscripted and unedited - on Hyundai's Facebook site. The second is a multi-city ride-and-drive which includes a video booth where consumers can film their drive impression and post video directly to their own Facebook page.

Hyundai Sonata was the most-shopped vehicle in May according to data from Compete, a Kantar Media company. Sonata was on more shopping lists (130,000) than any vehicle in the industry, topping perennial leaders like Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Honda Civic and Ford Fusion according to Compete's analysis of website traffic patterns.

Demand for Hyundai hit an all-time high of 324,000 shoppers on the strength of Sonata and the all-new 2010 Tucson. This drove Hyundai's share of market interest (SMI) to 11.6 percent, up from 7.4 percent in Dec. 2009. That growth propelled Hyundai past Nissan (11.2 percent) and closer to Honda (12.9 percent) and Toyota (14.2 percent). Industry-wide, May 2010 shopper volume (2.8 million) was the strongest since February 2008.

"Consumers are discovering that the all-new 2011 Sonata builds on the nameplate's legacy of value with exciting design, best-in-class fuel economy and outstanding residual value," said Scott Margason, director of product planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The combination makes Sonata a top contender in the competitive mid-size category, so we are pleased, but not surprised, by the market reception so far."

Hyundai's all-new 2011 Sonata represents a modern approach to the traditional midsize sedan segment by using only advanced four-cylinder engines, emotional design and luxury features offered with Hyundai's strong value proposition.  The Sonata launched with a new Theta II 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine and in-house six-speed automatic transmission.  The vehicle offers class-leading fuel economy of 22 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 198 horsepower standard. Both hybrid and turbo powertrain options will be available at the end of the year.

"We saw interest rising for the Sonata immediately after its introduction around the Super Bowl, and it has stayed red hot ever since," said Dennis Bulgarelli, director of Automotive at Compete. "Not only are we seeing prospects put Hyundai on their shopping lists in record numbers, we're also seeing Hyundai do a great job converting those shoppers to buyers. Its May sales of nearly 50,000 were 33 percent higher than a year ago, with Sonata sales nearly doubling year-over-year."

Edmunds.com named both the Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Azera to its list of Used Car Best Bets for 2010.  The model years 2003 to 2008 Elantra topped the Compact Sedan category and the model years 2006 to 2008 Azera won out in the Large Sedan segment.  Edmunds.com, a premier online resource for automotive information, chose this year's Used Car Best Bets based on reliability, safety, value, and availability. This year all cars and trucks from the 2003 to 2008 model years were eligible.

"With class-leading interior space, outstanding handling and overall refinement, it's clear that Elantra offers terrific value," said Tracy Bowes, national manager, Retail Operations, Hyundai Motor America.  "Additionally, the award winning Azera continues to top the large sedan segment, packing in more value, upgrades and standard equipment year after year. Both these cars boast Hyundai's class-leading safety technology, allowing them to maintain their reliability and strong residual values at resale."

In order to put together this list of top choices in the used vehicle market, the Edmunds.com editors looked at consumer ratings as well as sources that report on reliability and longevity, and applied their own experience and judgment to determine a vehicle's reliability.  They also regarded how the vehicles rated in various crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

"A complete redesign in 2001 earned the Hyundai Elantra our respect, which was bolstered further by a tough tour of duty in our long-term fleet," said Edmunds.com editors. "In addition to peppy performance and a smooth ride, the Elantra offers solid build quality, reliability and operating economy.  Impressive crash test scores are another feather in the Elantra's cap."

"Offering an upscale look inside and out and a number of unexpected luxury features for a reasonable price, the Azera also boasts the solid build quality and steadfast reliability that Hyundai is becoming known for," added the editors. "Strong crash test scores, smooth and refined performance and a quiet ride round out the Azera's impressive resumé."

Joining the Elantra and Azera on Edmunds.com Used Car Best Bets list are Toyota Camry, BMW 3 Series, Mazda Miata, Pontiac Vibe, Honda CR-V, Mitsubish Endeavor, Chevrolet Tahoe, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150, Infiniti G35 and Toyota Prius.