Seeking a Rebound in N. American Market
Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors had their presence felt at the 2019 North American International Auto Show by unveiling strategic new models. After the “Genesis G70” and the small SUV “Kona” were selected as the North American Cars of the Year on Jan. 14, the automakers added new SUVs and high-performance racing cars to their lineups, raising anticipation for a recovery in the North American market this year.
Hyundai and Kia announced on Jan. 15 that they took the wraps off the high-performance racing car “Veloster N TCR” and the large SUV “Telluride,” respectively, in the 2019 North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit on Jan. 14 (local time).
The Veloster N TCR unveiled by Hyundai Motor was developed by Hyundai Motorsport GmbH (HMSG) in Alzenau, Germany, for the TCR Event, one of the car racing events for mass-produced cars. Hyundai's second-generation high-performance racing car following the i30 N TCR, the Veloster N TCR features a 2.0-liter engine with a maximum output of 350 hp, a maximum torque of 45.9 kgf-m and a six-speed sequential transmission.
Kia Motors unveiled the large SUV Telluride for the North American SUV market for the first time. The Telluride emphasizes a strong straight line based on a bold box-shaped design with a traditional SUV identity. The new model aims to be recognized as a true outdoor SUV that can do anything and go anywhere.
The Telluride was displayed as a concept car at the Detroit auto show in 2016. Designed at the Kia American Design Center in California, it is produced at a factory of Kia Motors in Georgia, the United States.
As Hyundai and Kia showcased the Veloster N TCR and the Telluride, respectively, this time, automobile industry watchers say that they have prepared lineups to compete in the North American market. Last year, Hyundai reinforced its SUV lineup by releasing the Palisade, a large SUV model. The automaker expects that the Veloster N TCR will succeed thanks to its high technological power and excellent merchantability as a high-performance racing car. Kia Motors has also expanded a selection of its models for customers by filling its empty SUV position with the Telluride.
Hyundai and Kia were encouraged by selection of the Genesis G70 and the Kona as North American Cars of the Year. They are confident that this year will offer them a chance to rebound. The Genesis brand, which suffered a sales slump, finished overhauling its sales network, acquiring licenses from 50 states throughout the United States at the end of last year. Hyundai Motor is expanding the lineup of the Genesis brand by announcing the launches of the flagship sedan G90 in 2019 and the GV80, the Genesis brand's first SUV, in 2020.