Hyundai luxury cars gain market share in USA

Hyundai's recently launched Equus luxury sedan and rear-wheel-drive Genesis sedan are boosting Hyundai Motor's presence in the U.S. luxury sedan market. Both luxury models have sold above initial expectations, says Hyundai.

Latest automobile sales data reveal that sales of Hyundai Genesis averages at approximatelly 2,500 units each month, while Equus sales averages at around 250 units each month. Last month, Hyundai Genesis took more than 10 percent of the mid-luxury car segment, while its larger sibling, the Equus sedan accumulated a market share of 5,4%!

Sales of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan and 2011 Equus luxury sedan go beyond our expectations," said a company spokesman. The South Korean carmaker forecasts the sales of both sedans to reach above 30.000 units ( Hyundai Genesis) and more than 3.000 units (Equus) in the USA this year. [Source: Koreaherald ]

Hyundai sales in April 2011

April 2011 was a very strong month for Hyundai Motor America! The South Korean carmaker recently reported an all-time record April 2011 sales of 61.754 units! The number represents a 40 percent increase compared with the same record-breaking period in 2010.

Hyundai's sales-to-date in the States are up as well. The automaker increased its sales so far by more than 30 percent, with retail volume rising 40 percent. According to Hyundai Motor America, sales to fleet accounts are down 45 percent for the year with fleet representing 13 percent of the total sales mix year-to-date.

Hyundai's best-selling nameplate in April 2011 was the popular Elantra with sales surpassing the 22.000 sales mark. It was followed by Sonata mid-size sedan and Santa Fe SUV in second and third spot with sales 21,730 and 5,771 units, respectively.

April 2011 marks the first time Hyundai sold more than 20,000 units in the same month of two different models.

You can find more detailed April 2011 sales report at our friend's Hyundai blog: Hyundai sales April

NASCAR: Dying After 2001

After the death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500, NASCAR started to work on a new car to make safety the number one priority. They also worked on the walls, putting up a foam "safer barrier" to make the impact of the cars hitting the wall diminish greatly. Thus the G-forces that hit the drivers would be significantly reduced and as a result not cause injury or death, which was common in NASCAR for its entire existence.
And while most fans, myself included, agree that safety is truly important in stock car racing (they can now take hits at 180 mph head on to the wall, flip 8 times, and the driver not be injured at all), the result was something that really killed NASCAR. Which is ironic, because it has done so much for the safety aspect, thus reducing the death count to 0 in the last 10 years. The car, known as the Car of Tomorrow, or COT, was a truly ugly piece of machinery. NASCAR had since the 1980s been going further and further away from the Stock in Stock Car Auto Racing. Up until 2002, although the differences between the manufacturers was almost gone, the cars (from Ford and Chevrolet for example) had distinct differences that set them apart from one another. But in 2003 the cars all had the same body, minus some very small details such as the back window and the nose of the car.

They did have very small differences, but they still had at least some distinction. But with the introduction of the COT in 2007 all manufacturer resemblance was gone. All cars, whether Ford, Dodge, Toyota, or Chevrolet had the same shape and same body. There were no differences whatsoever. The different car companies could change the grille on the front, but that was it. The fans in massive numbers didn't like it. Even the drivers didn't like it. Kyle Busch won the first race, the first Bristol race in 2007, with the car and after he won said "they suck" in victory lane. The fans showed with their remote controls and ticket purchasing ability that they didn't like the car, and just quit showing up. The growth of the 90s and the distinct cars were gone. Dale Earnhardt was gone. The sport just wasn't what it once was. Many people, even longtime hardcore fans quit watching the races, saying it's just too different from the old days.

modification shelby GT 500 supe snake 20011

Shelby American, the company that created the Shelby Mustang has released details of the package Mustang GT 500 Super Snake latest. Now the snake can this super power to 800 hp.

So, if your muscle car enthusiast, you should quickly make a reservation, because his unit is limited as many as 1,000 units for 2011.

Working closely with Ford Racing, Shelby American has increased the power of this super snake to 800 hp, or 75 hp more powerful than the Super Snake version 2010.

To distinguish it from previous versions, garnish blue with white stripes, as well as design pelk new anthracite, and side scoops new Shelby GT 500 pinned on this.

"Ford Motor Company did a fantastic job making GT500 2011 model is lighter and stronger," said Shelby American President, John Luft, in its official release on Thursday (09/16/2010)

He added, "Our team is applying the experience to build the Super Snake over the past few years to offer a package that dramatically improve the ability of a new car," he added.

Modification package price starts from U.S. $ 30,245 or approximately Rp 272 million already included the cost of installation, which will only be available through the Shelby American and the shops of his mod.

Complete package modification Supe Snake Shelby GT 500 2011:

• Ford Racing handling pack Including Dynamic adjustable dampers, lowering springs, tuned stabilizer bars, and front strut tower brace

• 6-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio

• Shelby / Ford Racing Supercharger upgrade producing over 660 HP and 590 ft.-lbs. of torque

• Either a Shelby / Ford Racing or Shelby / Kenne Bell supercharger kit producing 750 HP with upgraded drive shaft, billet twin 75mm throttle body and exclusive badges

• Optional Shelby / Kenne Bell 800 horsepower on pump gas tune

• Borla exhaust system

• An optional Shelby / Eibach handling pack Also available is

• Designed Shelby-Alcoa 20-inch wheels in anthracite or durabright

• Short-throw shifter

• Forged Shelby / Baer brakes with six piston calipers and cross drilled / vented rotors

• Front brake cooling ducts and side scoops behind the door

• Unique fiberglass hood featuring classic Shelby design and pins

• Signature Shelby Super Snake stripes in matte black or matte Either white

• "Shelby" lettering across the rear deck lid

• 'Super Snake' vehicle badges and official Shelby CSM plate interiors

• Optional two tone leather interior

• Shelby signature embroidered headrests, Floor Mats and other components Designed Shelby

Hyundai introduces 1,6L turbo engine

At the 2011 Seoul auto show, Hyundai announced it has developed the 1,6L turbo engine.

The 1,6L Turbo engine features a twin-scroll turbo-charger which helps the engine to produce as much as 208 horsepower, while at the same time helps reducing the engine's fuel-consumption.

We are expecting the Hyundai to officially announce the new turbo engine at the 2011 New York Auto Show, which kicks off next week.

New Hyundai 1,6L turbo engine will be first available in the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, while later it is expected to appear in other Hyundai compact cars including the next-generation Hyundai i30 and upcoming Hyundai Elantra coupe.

Hyundai's sister firm, Kia Motors might also benefit from this highly advanced 1,6L turbo engine and models such as Kia Optima Koup and new cee'd could get the engine sometime in the near future.

Hyundai Blue 2 concept car

Hyundai introduces new hydrogen-powered fuel-cell concept car named Blue 2 at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show!

Named Blue 2, the concept car's name is a derivate of Hyundai's sub eco-brand called "Blue Drive" and the number 2, which comes from H2 and symbolizes the symbol for hydrogen gas.

It was designed and developed at Hyundai's Seoul based reasearch and design headquarters with an aim at gaining early leadership of the fuel cell electric vehicle market.

Hyundai Blue 2 concept vehicle is powered by a 122 horsepower fuel cell stack that delivers a mileage capability of 34.9 km/liter on the car. The car features aerodynamic enhancements as well as low roll-resistance tires and light-weight alloy wheels to improve its fuel-economy.

The latest concept car from Hyundai is full of innovative technologies. It features a highly advanced fuel cell stack under the hood, which poweres the car, as well as a plethora of other infotainment systems and technologies including a welcome system that recognizes the driver, automatic opening door system and both, side cameras and a roof cameras replacing the conventional side mirrors.

Inside, the Hyundai Blue 2 concept features interior design which encompasses a futuristic look by using eco-friendly new materials.

The Most Expensive Cars to Insure

The Most Expensive Cars to Insure
Just because a car is cheap doesn't mean the insurance will be. High-cost cars aren't always the most expensive to insure either. If you are concerned about high insurance rates, you probably shouldn't go out a buy a new $33,000 Honda S2000 convertible. And that little inexpensive Volkswagen GTI, listed at $22,000, will cost you as much in insurance as its bigger cousin, the Passat, which costs twice as much.

Looking for cheaper insurance rates? The 2004 Chevrolet Aveo and the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado are among the cheapest 2004 models to insure.

The main factor in the cost of insurance for certain vehicles is not in the price, but its claims history. For example, certain cars are proven to be stolen more often. Some have high repair costs or are in more accidents than other cars. There are many factors, not just the cost of the car, that affect the premiums.

Insurance premiums are based on several factors, including:

The sticker price: a car that costs more to buy, costs more to replace.

Repair costs: Repair costs are skyrocketing at nearly double the overall rate of inflation. There are so many technological advance included in cars that they are more expensive to repair.

Theft and fraud patterns: Cars that are frequently stolen are more expensive to insure. Thieves have their favorites based on market demands and interchangeability of parts. The Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry are the most frequently stolen cars. If you live in an area where there are high auto theft rates, you could pay more in premiums. Insurance fraud is also on the rise and will result in higher insurance costs, especially if you live in New York, Massachusetts or Florida.

Model year, weight and vehicle type: The more power you have the higher premiums you will pay. Sports cars, high-performance vehicles and luxury cars have the highest losses for vehicle damage and small, light vehicles have the highest death rates. Passenger vans and station wagons have the lowest losses for vehicle damage. SUV's and trucks will generally sustain less damage in a collision, but will cause more damage and higher liability claims.

Driver demographics: Your age, where you live, your gender, driving record and credit history will affect your premiums. If you have a bad driving record, you will pay a lot in insurance premiums. If you have a good clean driving record, you'll pay less for insurance.

Technological progress: New gadgets and doodads in cars will make your premiums higher. This is because the cost of repairs is more expensive.