Car Blog

Korean car manufacturer Hyundai Motor reports a 21% jump of its 3rd quarter earnings primarily because of the strong performance of its Tucson SUV and the Sonata Sedan. The net income of Hyundai is pegged at 1.92 trillion won or US$1.7 billion for the three months ending September 30 compared to last year’s 1.59 trillion.

The Seoul-based carmaker is considered as the biggest manufacturer of vehicles in South Korea and has a projected profit of 1.89 trillion won according estimates by analysts. Hyundai will most likely sell around four million units this year as they increase production in plants located in their bigger markets like China. The carmaker might achieve record earnings for 2011 and might surpass profits made by Toyota Motor of Japan.

The earnings of Hyundai affirms the competitiveness of the brand in markets overseas. Forecasts say that Hyundai might fare better than other car manufacturers as the demand lowers next year.

From January of 2011, Hyundai has delivered about 3 million units and they are most likely to hit more than four millions sold units this year. The initial goal of the company was pegged at 3.9 million vehicles.

The demand in China is huge as the monthly sales of the Hyundai Sonata hit 10,000 units every month starting last September. The company also beefed up their operations in Russia after it started the production of the refreshed Rio of Korean affiliate Kia Motors.

The sales of Hyundai in China jumped by 12% which translates to 553,000 units for the first three quarters of the year. Sales in Korea rose by 7.3% or about 510,000 vehicles. Sales in the United States increased by 20% for the first three quarters while Europe sales also improved by 9.4%.

Mercedes-Benz recently announced that they are planning to field a small SUV and a compact vehicle to their market in the United States but they have not decided on the timing of the release.

The SUV and the hatchback will be deriving its DNA from the next gen of B Class that is scheduled to debut in Europe before the end of 2011.

Benz executives hint of a stylish sedan that will roll out to their dealerships in Europe as part of the B Class vehicles that they are also considering for the US.

The schedule for the US release is not yet determined because of exchange rate issues. The carmaker though notes that the US car buyers are ready for their premium compact car. They might also inject alternative engine options for the B Class when they introduce it to the US. Mercedes Benz is considering fuel cell or electric plug in versions for the new cars.

(more…)

Land Rover announced this week that it will be rolling out a new SUV by the second half of 2011. The SUV will derive its lines from the LRX concept that we will see at the upcoming motor show in Paris this fall. It will make its debut in the U.S. during the Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

The details of the SUV were not yet revealed during a breakfast meeting with Land Rover dealers in Orlando, Florida. Without the details, the tag price of the new Land Rover LRX is not yet determined. The LRX is expected to widen the market base of the brand especially since it will also be the most efficient of the cars in the Land Rover garage.

Official photos were released by the car manufacturer and we have hits that it will be coming out with diesel, gasoline, and hybrid variants.

The hybrid and gasoline LRX will head to the United States while the diesel version might be offered in the European market.

(more…)

After six decades of conquering unimaginable terrains, the boxy do-it-all Defender by Land Rover is getting an update. The recognition for this automotive icon can be claimed anywhere in the globe and it is about time for the designers and engineers to pay homage to classic vehicle and give it a new look.

The team responsible for the new Defender is working with their drawing boards covered under the moniker Project Icon. The goal is to update the old Defender and apply principles of modern design to make its lines more appealing to today’s consumers. Land Rover wants to keep the vehicle simple and preserve its capability for which the Defender is known for.

The new Defender might avoid the aluminum body but instead borrow some concept from the rugged steel body works of the Range Rover and the Discovery. Most of its current siblings in the garage are going for the lighter aluminum but the ruggedness of the Defender might just be calling for a harder shell.

It will initially be assembled in England but the car maker has plans to spread production in China, India, and Russia.

(more…)

Infiniti released the official tag price for its 2009 EX35 crossover starting at $33800 as it rolled out of dealerships. The new EX35 provides more standard and safety features.

The RWD base model at $33800 provides standard leather seats, roof rails, HVAC vents on the rear, and a reverse camera. The AWD that has the same features has a sticker of $36000.

The RWD Journey variant sells for $35200 which comes with some upgrades like the 6-disc CD entertainment system, steering column enhanced with telescoping capabilities, automatic climate control, and a coat hanger on the head rest of the driver. The AWD Journey tops the list at $37400.

Consumers can also opt in for an AVM or Around View Monitor which helps drivers dealing with blind spots during parking through cameras installed on the side and rear of the vehicle.

A technology package is also available. This upgrade gives the driver warning systems for lane departure and forward collision, cruise control, and brake assist. Other upgrades consist of a navigation system and 18 inch wheels.

(more…)