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Tag: Suv

  • Jeep Compass Sport Plus Launched In India

    Jeep Compass Sport Plus Launched In India

    The Tata Harrier has surely escalated the competition in the compact SUV segment and it has proved to be a strong product, especially at the price Tata Motors has launched it. The Jeep Compass is the obvious-first rival to the Harrier and the company has added a new Sport Plus variant to the range in a bid to compete against the Harrier. The Jeep Compass Sport Plus has been launched in India at ₹ 15.99 lakh for the petrol variant and ₹ 16.99 lakh for the diesel variant.

    The Sport Plus variant of the Compass has been positioned above the base Sport variant and is more feature-rich. The added exterior kit includes 16-inch alloy wheels finished in silver, black roof rails and rear parking sensors. The rear windscreen, pillars and window fringes are also finished in black. The cabin of the Jeep Compass Sport Plus trim will be equipped with a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and dual-zone climate control which the base trim doesn’t get. We would have liked Jeep to also include the power folding wing mirrors which makes maneuvering through tight spots easy. However, safety kits such as dual front airbags, ABS, ESC and traction control are standard throughout the range.

    Mechanically the Compass Sport Plus remains identical to the base variant. The diesel is powered by the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Multijet turbo motor which makes 172 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox as standard. The petrol is the 1.4-litre, four-cylinder MultiAir Turbo motor which develops 161 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque and is also offered with an automatic gearbox, while the six-speed manual is standard.

    Other than the Harrier, the Jeep Compass Sport Plus will compete with the W4 variant of the Mahindra XUV500 and SX variant of the Hyundai Creta.

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  • Volkswagen Teases Electric SUV

    Volkswagen Teases Electric SUV

    Volkswagen is all set to bring in the ID. ROOMZZ1 concept at the Auto Shanghai 2019. The ID. ROOMMZZ1 is the next member of the ID family and gives us a glimpse into the company’s upcoming version of a zero emission SUV.

    The production version based on the ID ROOMMZZ1 will first make its debut in the Chinese market in 2021 after which the model will be brought into other global markets. Just like the compact I.D.1, the I.D. CROZZ1, the I.D. BUZZ1, the I.D. VIZZION1 and the I.D. BUGGY1 before it, the sixth member of the fully electric family is based on the modular electric drive matrix and comes laden with innovations.

    The I.D. ROOMZZ1 gets variability in terms of vehicle interior, boasting of new seat configurations, high-quality materials and customizable light. It also gets the IQ.DRIVE systems which will drive the I.D ROOMZZ1. There’s a I.D. Pilot mode too in which the vehicle can be driven autonomously without an active driver which basically hints at a level 4 autonomous vehicle.

    There’s not much information yet about the what powers the ID ROOMZZ1, and what user experience will be like. We will know more about this, once the company showcases the car at the 2019 Auto Shanghai.

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  • Hyundai Venue Subcompact SUV Launch Date Revealed

    Hyundai Venue Subcompact SUV Launch Date Revealed

    Hyundai has been teasing its new subcompact SUV – the Venue for quite some time now and we’ve even got details about the company testing the car around the country. While we already know, that the car will be revealed in India on April 17, 2019, coinciding with its public reveal at the 2019 New York Motor Show, we now have details on when the car will be launched in the country. Hyundai will launch the Venue subcompact SUV in India on May 21, 2019. The Venue will be the company’s first subcompact SUV in India and will rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and even the Mahindra XUV300. While Hyundai’s entry into the subcompact SUV segment is delayed, the company is going to pack the Venue with a ton of features making it India’s first connected car.

    The Hyundai Venue will get the company’s ‘BlueLink’ connected technology and it will have 10 India-only features with a total of 33 connectivity features. Some of the features that BlueLink will offer in India are geo-fencing, speed alerts, SOS, panic notifications, destination sharing, and road-side assistance and so on. Hyundai said that it has tested its BlueLink technology rigorously in India, keeping the conditions in mind along with the needs of the customers. This also includes voice guidance and recognition in Indian-accented English which means that the software will be able to recognise spoken English from different regions in India. The Hyundai Venue will also have remote-control operated functions such as climate control, horn and headlamps on, vehicle status, engine start/stop and so on. The best thing is that Hyundai BlueLink can use your smartphone interface as a remote control.

    Hyundai BlueLink will also have a tamper-proof eSIM which will be provided by Vodafone Idea and a cloud based voice recognition platform from Global AI Company, which will offer real time traffic navigation and live local search as well. Features such as panic and medical assistance, geo-fencing and stolen vehicle notification will sit well with customers in India.

    The company has not yet revealed the engines that it will offer, but we have gotten a glimpse of what the front end of the car would look like. The leaked images revealed the upright stance of the Hyundai Venue, while the rear gets a massive ‘H’ badge in the centre with the ‘Venue’ moniker, and the very Polo-esque squared-off taillights along the lines of the Carlino concept. The tailgate also carries the ‘Turbo’ badge and ‘SX’, the latter denoting the range-topping variant.

    Under the hood, the new Hyundai Venue will be available with a 1.4-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engine options. The turbo badge that was on the tailgate holds special importance, which nearly confirms the a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine for the SUV, and will come paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

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  • MG Hector’s Connectivity Features Unveiled

    MG Hector’s Connectivity Features Unveiled

    MG Motor India today unveiled the cabin features of its upcoming SUV MG Hector. Touted as the company’s first internet car, the upcoming MG Hector will come with a new advanced connectivity system called i-Smart next-generation system, a complete integrated solution that combines software, hardware, connectivity, services and application. The system has been developed in collaboration with several technological partners like Cisco, Unlimit, and Microsoft among others. The iSmart connectivity system comes with advanced technology, smart application, built-in Apps, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Features, Voice Assist, and Infotainment.

    The command centre of the system is a vertically-mounted 10.4-inch ultra large Full-HD infotainment display that comes with pre-loaded entertainment content and allows you to manage complete vehicle settings. MG says that the display screen can withstand the high temperatures of Indian weather conditions. For full-time connectivity, the system also comes with a first machine to machine embedded sim, along with the SUV Internet Protocol version 6 makes it 5G-ready, making it future-proof. The system offers features like – Real-Time Navigation, Remote Location, Geo-Fencing, Emergency Response and much more.

    Furthermore, with smart connectivity, the MG Hector will also be getting software updates via over-the-air (OTA) downloads, like firmware and features updates much like any smartphone. Also, as mentioned earlier, the car will come with pre-loaded apps like – TomTom IQ Maps, Gaana Premium, and AccuWeather app among others. In fact, MG Motor India will be offering its customer free data too for the first few years. The system itself is well-secured by Microsoft, which will be the Cloud provider for MG Motor.

    One of the key features and most important features offered in the MG Hector is its voice command system. Powered by China’s conversational AI provider Nuance, the system is designed to use voice commands to access multiple in-car functions like close or opening sunroof, control climate control, navigations and more. In fact, the system can even understand the Indian accent to make it suitable for the Indian market. Like Google Assistance, the Voice Assist system can be accessed by saying ‘Hello MG’ and is capable of handling over 100 functions. The Hector also comes with an eCall emergency response system that sends an emergency alert to MG’s customer management centre, called Pulse Hub and any registered phones, in the case of an accident. Also, in the event of the airbags being deployed, the system triggers a series of emergency response actions.

    The iSMART Next Gen is supported by the iSMART mobile App. MG iSMART App is feature-rich like none other in the Indian market. The car gets scanned each time the App is opened, and information includes location of car, tyre pressure, or if the doors are locked or not. Owner can use the remote app to directly lock or unlock doors, turn on ignition and switch on the air-conditioner.

    The all-new MG Hector is slated to be launched in second quarter of 2019. The SUV will come with premium interior and features like – with power adjustable seats, cruise control, electronic parking brake, and 360-degree camera. We also know that the SUV will come with a panoramic sunroof, which the company claims will be the largest in the segment. The SUV will come in both petrol and diesel powertrains – 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel motor.

  • Renault Captur 2019 Launched With More Safety Features

    Renault Captur 2019 Launched With More Safety Features

    Renault India has introduced the updated Captur in India with more safety features with prices starting at ₹ 9.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The compact SUV now meets the upcoming safety regulations, and as a result, gets a number of new active and passive tech on board as standard. In addition, the RXL and the RXT trims have been discontinued on the 2019 Renault Captur. The SUV is now offered in two variants – RXE and the range-topping Platine – available with both petrol and diesel engine options.

    All variants now come with a rear parking sensor, driver and passenger seatbelt and a speed alert system to meet the new safety norms. Renault India says the model is certified to “exceed frontal, lateral and pedestrian safety and is compliant with safety features stipulated by the Indian authorities.” The new norms will be implemented across all vehicles from October 2019. The car uses a reinforced body shell that increases torsional rigidity to ensure occupant safety. Othe safety systems on include ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, height adjustable seatbelts, ISOFIX child seat anchor, and more.

    In terms of features, the Renault Captur continues to come diamond-cut alloy wheels, LED headlamps, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as voice recognition. The cabin also comes with newly upholstered seats, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, and more.

    In terms of power, the Renault Captur uses the 1.5-litre petrol engine that churns out 104 bhp and 142 Nm of peak torque, while paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The petrol motor returns an ARAI certified fuel efficiency of 13.87 kmpl. The diesel version uses a 1.5-litre CRDi engine as well that develops 108 bhp and 240 Nm of peak torque, while paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The diesel returns a fuel economy of 20.37 kmpl.
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  • Kia Showcasted Three Concept Cars At The Seoul Motor Show

    Kia Showcasted Three Concept Cars At The Seoul Motor Show

    Kia Motors is all set to reveal a trio of new concepts at the 2019 Seoul Motor Show and they will preview the brand’s future design direction. Two of the three concepts make their international debut in Seoul, with the rugged Kia Masterpiece Concept which shows off a large SUV body with a luxurious, high-tech cabin. The Masterpiece is accompanied by the Kia Signature which is essentially the SP concept that the company showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo and finally the Imagine by Kia concept car which is an all-electric sports sedan which embodies Kia’s desire to create exciting low-emissions passenger cars.

    Each of the cars illustrate different elements of the brand’s future model strategy. The Kia Masterpiece concept makes its first public appearance, with a rugged and robust large SUV. The Masterpiece hints at how the brand could adapt its latest designs and features for the large off-road SUV segment. It sees sculpted bodywork and bold lines and it combines a purposeful SUV stance and raised body, and an all-wheel drive system. The front of the car features Kia’s new tiger nose grille, extended outwards across the whole front section of the concept, with no clear boundaries between grille and LED headlamps. The design of the front of the car is echoed in the rear of the car, with signature lines at both ends of the vehicle giving the car a consistent design all round.

    The Signature Concept is the made its international debut at the India’s Auto Expo 2018 in Delhi. Driven by advanced technology, the Kia SP Concept hints at the company’s plans to introduce a new small SUV for its global markets as well. The SP Concept gets a wide grille and long hood at the front, and a rear design which emphasises stability with wide rear lamps and body lines, the Signature stands out on the road. At the front, its lamps are connected to the ‘tiger nose’ grille, with integrated daytime running lamps. Its strong shoulder line, with a glasshouse which tapers towards the rear of the car, lends the compact SUV an air of understated sportiness. The exterior is completed with a series of distinct styling features, contributing to the car’s contemporary, technical design. These include thin LED lamps at the front and rear, sharp lines pressed into the bodywork, and precise metallic details. Of course the production ready version will be revealed later this year.

    Finally, it’s the Imagine by Kia concept which was revealed at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, but it’ll now make its Asian debut. The fully-electric sports sedan concept has been designed at Kia’s European design center in Frankfurt, Germany. This concept is Kia’s first pure electric four-door passenger car. The Imagine by Kia concept represents a more progressive Kia design language for the future, with intelligent reinterpretations of existing Kia motifs and a bodywork characterized by a blend of tautly-drawn sheet metal, crisp lines, and efficient aerodynamics.

    The design team has exploited the chassis architecture of the powertrain’s all-electric layout to maximise cabin space and create an airy and spacious interior. The concept features 21 individual ultra high-resolution screens. While not immediately destined for production, the Imagine by Kia concept hints at interior and exterior design elements that could be adapted for future production models from the brand.

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  • BMW X5 Launch Details Revealed

    BMW X5 Launch Details Revealed

    We had exclusively reported that BMW will be launching 12 new models in India this financial year. The Bavarian carmaker will be beginning with the launch of the 2019 BMW X5 and will be launching the all-new SUV in Indian on May 16. The new-generation BMW X5 is spawned by the same CLAR platform which also underpins several other BMW models like the 5 Series, 7 Series and the X3. Upfront, the new BMW X5 gets a wide BMW kidney grille with single-piece surround. The new model is also equipped with BMW’s latest LED headlights which have new blue X-shaped beam what split the light inside the headlights. At the side, there is not much change in the design to point out, however, the new X5 has grown in dimensions which is quite apparent when you look at it from this angle. It also gets the new LED tail lamps which have a three-dimensional layout and is sharply sculpted at the edges.

    The cabin of the new BMW X5 is equipped with a 12.3-inch all-new digital instrument cluster with a control display. The layout of the cabin is also in-line with other new BMW models with a revamped central console which integrates the controller and the new gear knob along with the new driving mode selector. The design of the air-con vents too has been tweaked. Moreover, it gets the four-zone climate control system and the panoramic glass roof which is 30 per cent larger than the outgoing model.

    The current BMW X5 is sold in India only in the 30d iteration, however, the new model is also likely to be offered with petrol variants. The diesel will be the same 3.0-litre, turbocharged, six-cylinder unit which develops 335 bhp and 450 Nm of peak torque. The petrol in the 540i variant is also likely to be the 3.0-litre, turbocharged, six-cylinder unit. Both the engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and also get the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system as standard. The BMW X5 range in some of the global markets also gets a 4.4-litre V8 engine which makes a whopping 456 bhp and a heavy peak torque of 650 Nm. However, we are not sure if BMW will consider it for our market. BMW engineers have also shared that the new X5 also has better off-road abilities than before while keeping its handling prowess intact. In terms of safety features, the BMW X5 gets the collision warning and pedestrian warning system. It is also offered with an Active Cruise Control system as an optional feature.

  • Hyundai Venue Subcompact SUV India Debut

    Hyundai Venue Subcompact SUV India Debut

    Hyundai India will be entering the subcompact SUV segment later this year with an all-new offering. The company recently confirmed that the new model will be called the Hyundai Venue upon launch, carandbike can now confirm that the new SUV will be unveiled on April 17, 2019. The Venue is a Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and the Mahindra XUV300 rival, and will be positioned below the Hyundai Creta in the automaker’s line-up. Interestingly, the India unveil coincides with the world debut that is slated to take place at the New York Auto Show. The Venue nameplate is also what the subcompact SUV will be called globally, and not Styx as it was previously perceived.

    Hyundai says the Venue subcompact SUV will come loaded with features because the big USP of this car to stay connected with the rest of the world. The Korean giant is generous with its vehicles on the feature front and we do expect to see some segment first tech including wireless charging and possibly ventilated seats too. The car was also spotted on a number of occasions recently, revealing what to expect on the design front.

    The boxy proportions of the test mule promise a small yet imposing design on the Hyundai Venue, and will come with an upright cascading grille, along with led daytime running lights that are positioned above the headlamp assembly. The fog lamp housing is rectangular and the car gets dual-tone alloy wheels that lend a nice stance.

    Expect to see wide wheel arches, lower body cladding and large glasshouse area, with the latter bringing more light into the cabin. Under the hood, the Hyundai Venue is expected to be offered with 1.2-litre and a 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines. Transmission options will include a manual, while an automatic is also likely.

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  • Automobili Pininfarina’s SUV PF1 Will Compete Against Ferrari & Lamborghini

    Automobili Pininfarina’s SUV PF1 Will Compete Against Ferrari & Lamborghini

    It was at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show that Mahindra-owned Pininfarina unveiled its first production hypercar – the Battista and we got know a lot about the car as well; of course we told you all about it too. While the company wants to keep the production of the Battista limited, there’s no denying that there will be people who would want to get their hands behind the wheel of one. The Battista stands out amongst the others in this segment and yes, there are quite a few hypercars entering this segment very quickly, but of course, Pininfarina is not stopping there and it’s already embarking on its next project an SUV or as Automobili Pininfarina CEO, Michael Perschke likes to call a ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’

    He confirmed the development on the sidelines of the 2019 Geneva Motorshow. He said, “The board sanctioned 3 to 4 cars including the Battista. The second one is probably going to be somewhere between a Lamborghini Urus and a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso. A super spectacular sports activity vehicle which is probably closer to a sports car than an SUV.”
    While there’s no doubting why the company is diving into the SUV segment, considering how big a global trend the segment is; it’s interesting to see Pininfarina taking the bull by the horns and streamlining its strategy for the Indian market. While it’s currently under development, and hence not much is known about it, of course, there are some details that Perschke threw some light on. He said “It’s going to have 4 seats, maybe 5 people can sit in, but it’s going to be super functional, super emotional, superb designwise and it’; be a little higher, little longer than the Battista and it’s going to be super exciting and we have to do justice to this brand.”

    The SUV is called the PF1 for now and will go up against the likes of the Lamborghini Urus and even the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso and it’s likely to come with more than 1000 bhp and of course it’ll be all electric. It’s likely that the company will borrow Rivian’s modular skateboard platform for the PF1 SUV and while there’s no formal announcement yet on that development, it’s likely that the powertrain for this will come from Rimac. We can’t wait to know more about the PF1 soon.

  • MG Motor India To Launch Its First Electric SUV In Phased Manner

    MG Motor India To Launch Its First Electric SUV In Phased Manner

    We already have told you that MG Motor will launch an all-electric SUV in India and according to the latest news reports the company is planning to launch the upcoming electric SUV in select cities to begin with. “We will be launching the pure electric SUV in the fourth quarter (October-December) this year. It will be launched in some select cities across the country,” said Gaurav Gupta, Chief Commercial Officer, MG Motor India to the reporters.

    The company will be launching two models in India- starting with the Hector SUV and then a fully electric SUV, over the next nine months and has plans to launch one model in India every year. The company further shared that its electric vehicles in the country would have over-the-air (OTA) technology and would go over 250 km in a single charge. However, he refrained to comment on the selected locations.

    OTA technology is still an alien concept in India and MG Motor will be the first to have it in their models. OTA technology allows the auto maker to update its operating system in the vehicle helping refresh the content including entertainment features. OTA is a standard for the transmission and reception of application-related information in a wireless communication system.

  • VinFast rolls out its first made-in-Vietnam car

    VinFast rolls out its first made-in-Vietnam car

    Vietnam’s first full-fledged carmaker has started trial runs in its Hai Phong factory, preparing to deliver preordered vehicles later this year. The Lux SA 2.0 SUV, which has a 228 horsepower engine and an 8-gear automatic transmission, started its first run Wednesday at VinFast’s factory in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

    Commercial versions of both the SUV and a sedan will be delivered in the second and third quarter this year to customers who have pre-ordered.

    VinFast, a unit of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate Vingroup, claims to be the first auto manufacturer in Vietnam with a closed, synchronous and complete cycle of production.

    The first cars will be tested in several countries including Australia, Austria and South Korea to make them European standards. They will also be tested in Vietnam for endurance in various climates and conditions.

    VinFast showed off prototypes of its first two car models at the Paris Motor Show in France last October, just a year after the company’s incorporation.

    A limited edition of its Lux SA 2.0, called the Lux V8 with a 455 horsepower V8 engine, is being displayed at the Geneva Motor Show 2019 this week.

  • Unit price of exported automobiles in Korea up on SUV sales

    Unit price of exported automobiles in Korea up on SUV sales

    The average unit price for exported automobiles last year reached a record high of $15,400, pushed up by the strong performance of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), according to industry statistics Thursday. Monthly data from the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) put total exports by five local carmakers last year at 2,447,903, down 3.2 percent from the previous year. The monetary sum from the shipments came to $37.68 billion, 1.6 percent less than the year before.

    Despite decreases in both, the unit price of each exported vehicle remained strong thanks to exports of relatively more expensive SUVs, the data indicated, increasing 1.6 percent from 2017.

    Local manufacturers shipped 1,386,539 SUVs last year, up 6.7 percent compared with the year before, setting a new record.

    “The export volume for vehicles shrank from dulled demand in the global market, but it’s fortunate that the export-unit price rose from increased shipments of high value-added cars,” a KAMA official said.

    By manufacturer, Renault Samsung Motors had the highest unit price, at $17,100.

    It was followed by SsangYong Motor, at $17,000. The unit price was $16,200 for Hyundai Motor, $14,900 for Kia Motors and $13,400 for GM Korea.

    Records showed that the unit price rose up to the mid-2010s, rising from $12,000 in 2010 to $14,800 in 2014.

    It pivoted down to $14,200 in 2015 and stayed in a lull in 2016 at the same level before going back up to $15,000 in 2017.

    In terms of export volume, the numbers have been going down since peaking at 3,166,000 in 2012.

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  • SUVs, Crossovers dominate high-end segment in Vietnam

    SUVs, Crossovers dominate high-end segment in Vietnam

    Among consumers willing to spend at least VND1 billion ($43,135), the preference is for SUVs and Crossovers over sedans. In recent years, high ground clearance vehicles have gradually become the number one choice for the majority of Vietnamese consumers, having grown steadily in number sales and variety over the years. In contrast, the D-class sedan segment has seen low demand and limited variety.

    Sales of SUV and Crossovers (CUV) vehicles around the price of VND1 billion ($43,135) have risen steadily over the years. While 2014 saw only around 13,000 units sold, sales had more than doubled by 2018 at 24,264 units. 2018 only saw a slight increase over 2017, but this was because a decree on import conditions prevented many firms from importing these vehicles for most of the year.

    According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA), consumers have a choice of 10 SUV/CUVs in the VND1 billion price range. Car dealers have noted that almost all brands in Vietnam have at least one product in the SUV/CUV segment.

    Average sales per model was around 3,100 vehicles a year.

    Th SUV/CUV segment is predicted to boom in 2019, as firms get used to the new regulation and find stability in importing new vehicles.

    Meanwhile, from 2014 up to now, the D-size sedan segment has featured the same models, namely, Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Honda Accord, Nissan Teana and the Kia Optima, which was introduced last year.

    In the last 5 years, sales of D-size sedans reached a peak in 2016 at 8,148 units. The introduction of the Kia Optima in 2018 raised the number of models in the segment to 6, but annual sales fell to only 7,612 units.

    In 2018, Toyota Camry dominated the D-segment at over half of the 4,503 units sold, while the remaining models saw little growth. Total sales have nevertheless been fairly stable, hovering around 6,000 or 7,000 over the years.

    Vietnam’s total car sales increased 5.8 percent to 288,683 units in 2018 from a year ago, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA).

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  • Ssangyong teases new Korando

    Ssangyong teases new Korando

    SsangYong Motor said Monday it will release a brand new sport utility vehicle in March that will replace its current Korando C SUV. The fresh model, which has been developed under the project name C300, will simply be called the “Korando,” according to the carmaker. Korando is one of SsangYong’s oldest lineups, alongside Tivoli and Rexton. The company decided to retain the name, hoping that would boost sales.

    It is the first entirely new car in the Korando lineup in eight years, since the company rolled out the midsize SUV Korando C – since then, it has just been revamped versions of existing models. Cars sold under the Korando label include the Korando Sports, Korando Turismo and Korando C, which will be discontinued when the new Korando launches.

    SsangYong also unveiled three teaser images of the car on Monday. The carmaker said it used a low and wide design for the car’s body, following a global trend. The front of the vehicle resembles SsangYong’s popular compact SUV Tivoli.

    The automaker has added various driver assistant features to the car. With the SUV market expanding, SsangYong hopes to grow its market share in the local car market with the anticipated release.

    A spokesperson from SsangYong said the new car will be the “most fascinating and high-tech Korando-branded car in history.”

  • Korean SUV sales soar globally

    Korean SUV sales soar globally

    SUVs have recently grabbed the spotlight in Korea, breaking both local and export sales records. According to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA), the number of exported SUVs by five local automakers reached a new record of 1.38 million units in 2018, a 6.7 percent increase from the previous year. In just 17 years, the figure rose by 700 percent – exports recorded merely 196,111 units in 2000.

    Over the same period, overall exports of passenger vehicles declined 3.1 percent to 2.34 million units. The share of SUVs also reached an all-time high.

    Compact SUVs from Korea were most popular in export markets.

    GM Korea’s Chevrolet Trax was shipped the most, at 239,800 units, followed by Hyundai Motor’s Tucson at 228,461 units.

    Small-sized SUVs also performed well, with 202,779 units of Hyundai Motor’s subcompact SUV Kona shipped abroad, a 437 percent rise from the previous year.

    Kia Motors’ Stonic exported 58,989 units, increasing 75.8 percent from 2017.

    Much of the enthusiasm surrounding SUVs in markets abroad was also present in the local market.

    Last year, 519,883 SUVs were sold in Korea, passing the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.

    With a 12.7 percent rise from 2017 sales figures of 461,385 units, SUVs currently take up a 40.1 percent share in the overall passenger car sales figures.

    Meanwhile, passenger car sales, excluding SUVs, dropped 6.9 percent last year from the previous year.

    Hyundai Motor’s mid-sized SUV, the Santa Fe, was the most popular in Korea, selling 107,202 units. This was the first time that an SUV model recorded an annual sales figure over 100,000 units.

    The SUV market is expected to grow this year.

    As compact and small-sized SUVs are poised to lead exports and medium and small-sized SUVs the local market, large-sized SUVs are also being rolled out this year.

    Hyundai Motor’s Palisade, unveiled last November, recorded over 25,000 preorders in just three weeks, hitting 62.5 percent of the automaker’s annual sales target of 40,000 units for the model.

    It will likely take customers around seven months to receive the vehicle if ordered now.

    According to Hyundai Motor, the large-sized SUV is popular among older drivers. Customers in their 40s accounted for 37 percent of orders and those in their 50s made up 26.9 percent.

    “As high-quality amenities and vehicle stability that used to be developed through sedans is now applied to SUVs, there was quite a bit of progress,” said Kim Pil-soo, a professor of automotive engineering at Daelim University.

    “This year’s SUV sales and market share will grow as local and foreign SUVs have adopted the advantages of sedans,” added Kim.

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