Hyundai Expands Destination Search Engine Powered By Google To More Than Half A Million Hyundai Owners

CHICAGO--Feb. 7, 2014: Hyundai Motor America launched its enhanced Blue LinkŪ in-vehicle telematics platform at Pepcom's Digital Experience, right before the opening of the Consumer Electronics Show (CESŪ) in January. The second-generation Blue Link system will be available when the all-new 2015 Genesis goes on sale this Spring and the rollout continues with the debut of the 2015 Sonata later in the year. One of the next generation Blue Link system's breakthrough features is its upgraded destination search powered by Google™ Places API. Today, Hyundai Motor America is announcing the same Google-powered destination search will be available to the more than 500,000 current Hyundai owners who have the first-generation Blue Link system installed in their U.S. vehicle.

"Now, if one of our subscribers or potential subscribers reaches up and presses the Blue Link or Enhanced Navigation button they will have access to Google's search accuracy and Google Maps' destination location information when they search for U.S. destinations," said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director, Customer Connect and Service Business Development, Hyundai Motor America. "When it comes to search engines, speed and relevant results is the name of the game and now the Blue Link in-vehicle system has the same search quality as a customer's smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop."

The key to this technology is that Google searches can be performed via voice recognition and the destination can then be sent to their Hyundai without the use of a smartphone while driving.