Kia Motors, together with its affiliate Hyundai, has overtaken Ford to become the fourth largest car
maker in the world.
Previously sitting in fifth place, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group moved into fourth position based
on global vehicle sales for the first six months of the year, according to figures just published by the
Automotive News Data Centre in the United States. Toyota, GM and VW occupy the top three places.
Collectively, Kia and Hyundai sold 2.153million vehicles in the first half of 2009, overtaking Ford on
2.145million. This time last year they were trailing Ford by more than a million vehicles and just ten
years ago, when the two Korean companies formed their alliance, they were in 11th place. The pair
reached sixth place in 2006 and rose to fifth a year later.
Now industry commentators are predicting that Kia and Hyundai will not only hold on to the fourth
place ranking, but increase the margin over Ford, as their sales have fallen much less than any other
major vehicle manufacturer as a result of the global recession. In recent months they have actually
posted gains, with Kia seeing record July sales in China (up 101%), its home market in Korea (up 26.5%)
and the US (up 7.8%) , on the way to posting an overall worldwide increase of 17.5%.
And as the rest of the automotive world struggles financially, Kia Motors has also just reported a 627%
improvement in profit for the second quarter of 2009, rising from 61 billion Korean Won in 2008 to 444
billion Korean Won compared to the same period a year ago – its best financial result since 2003.
A spokesperson for Kia and Hyundai says that “as a result of producing the right product for the right
times, the group has managed to take fourth place much quicker than had been predicted.”
It’s a strategy that has also paid off in New Zealand, too, according to Todd McDonald, General
Manager of Kia Motors NZ, which has seen its local market share rise to more than 4%, from just under
3%, during the first six months of 2009.
“For example, Kia was among the first to introduce efficient and high performance diesel engines to
small passengers cars, to complement our economical petrol models, at a time when New Zealand
motorists have been looking for improved fuel efficiency,” says Mr McDonald.
“And we’ve continued to roll out newer, design-led products even as the market has taken a hit from
the economic downturn.
“That’s what you expect of a company that aspires to be among the top vehicle manufacturers in the
world and it is great news that we have now taken fourth place.”
The Kia Soul has proved that it has brawn as well as stylish looks by winning its class in Britain’s 2010
Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards.
The 1.6-litre diesel Soul Shaker model, which is equivalent to the Soul Plus on sale in New Zealand,
took the honours in the highly competitive under £16,000 category.
The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards is among the most sophisticated and gruelling towcar
testing regimes in the world. Entrants are tested at Millbrook Proving Ground, near Birmingham, by a
number of specialist motoring judges, with evaluations cover the towing ability, acceleration, braking
and capability with demanding hill starts.
Then, a team of caravan specialist judges take to the controls and assess the vehicles’ suitability in
everyday caravanning situations.
The judges declared: “The Soul Shaker gives a spirited performance, has a usable body shape and
promises low running costs. The 1.6-litre diesel engine offers reasonable amounts of power and torque
for a car of this size. Biggish door mirrors and a high driving position add to the Soul’s towing
credentials
“As a towcar for small caravans or trailer tents, Kia’s hatchback is a worthy winner.”
Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand, says the award highlights the amazing
versatility and strength of the Kia Soul.
“The fact that the Soul has come out ahead of a large number of other cars in its class is proof that the
performance is well above average, even for towing,” he says.
“New Zealanders probably tow more than British drivers – many of us have a trailer of some
description, or access to one – and this award now provides people with something stylish and capable
to tow with in this vehicle class.
The Kia Soul has braked and unbraked towing capacities of 1,300 kg and 550 kg respectively, with a ball
weight of 52 kg.
The CRDi engine that powers the Soul Plus and Burner models here in New Zealand is a product of Kia’s
centre of diesel excellence in Russelsheim, Germany and was enhanced especially for the Soul. This 16-
valve DOHC unit is fitted with an electronically actuated variable geometry turbocharger that delivers
an 11% increase in power, now up to 94kW @ 4000rpm and a 3% increase in torque, rising to 260Nm
between 1900-2700rpm.
The excellent torque characteristic of the engine and the intelligent, adaptive sequential automatic
transmission provide an ideal combination for towing a light trailer.
Source Kia Motors www.kia.co.nz
If you want to test drive the Kia Soul or are interested in buying one contact Southland Vehicle Sales today www.svs.net.nz
Mazda Global Premiere of Eco-Friendly Powerful Engines at Tokyo Motor Show
Mazda Kiyora concept car, which achieves 32 kilometers per litre fuel economy, to make its Japan debut Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere of its next-generation engine lineup and automatic transmissions at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, to be held from Saturday, October 24 through Wednesday, November 4, 2009.
Mazda will exhibit the ‘Mazda SKY-G’ direct injection gasoline engine, the ‘Mazda SKY-D’ clean diesel engine and the ‘Mazda SKY Drive’ high-efficiency automatic transmission. The Tokyo Motor Show, will also mark the Japan debut of the Kiyora concept car as an exhibit of Mazda’s next-generation environmental and safety technologies.
Mazda’s theme for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is “The Mazda SKY concept—Providing driving pleasure and environmental and safety features for all customers!” Under the headings of “Today,” “Tomorrow” and “The Future,” Mazda will display advanced technologies designed to improve the average fuel economy of Mazda vehicles sold globally by 30 percent by 2015 compared to 2008 levels. This is one of the goals of Mazda’s long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom.
Andrew Clearwater, managing director, Mazda New Zealand says, “Mazda is committed to significantly improving the core aspects of its vehicles that affect performance – engines, transmissions, and lighter vehicle weight – in order to achieve elevated driving pleasure together with outstanding environmental and safety features.
The Mazda SKY concept defines Mazda’s approach to developing next-generation powertrains that will significantly improve the eco-friendliness and dynamic performance of all Mazda vehicles. The concept also reflects the “sky’s the limit” aspirations of Mazda’s engineers as they employ unconventional thinking to achieve optimal performance in every vehicle that bears the Mazda nameplate
Based on the SKY concept, Mazda’s “Technologies for Tomorrow” display will include the next-generation direct injection gasoline Mazda SKY-G engine and the Mazda SKY-D clean diesel engine. Both offer improved eco-friendliness and torque thanks to optimized combustion efficiency. Mazda will also reveal the first next-generation automatic transmission, the Mazda SKY-Drive, which offers first-rate fuel economy and a direct driving performance feel.
The Mazda Kiyora, a next-generation compact concept car imbued with Mazda’s fun-to-drive character, will make its Japanese debut at the Tokyo show. Featuring the next-generation Mazda SKY concept powertrain technologies and comprehensive advancements in weight reduction, the Kiyora achieves outstanding fuel economy of 32 kilometers per liter (under Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle).
Alongside the SKY concept exhibits, Mazda will also feature a “Today’s Technologies” exhibit that includes i-stop, a unique idling stop system that was introduced with the all-new Mazda 3. “Future Technologies” will showcase the advanced Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, with its hydrogen-powered rotary engine, and various vehicle technologies under development as part of Mazda’s drive to realize an accident-free and safe motorized society.
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Carbuying.co.nz is a part of Anngow Marketing. Post by Joel Anngow