Hyundai Announces Plans to Sell Minivan, Sport Utility Vehicle in U.S. By Year 2000
7 January 1998
Hyundai Announces Plans to Sell Minivan, Sport Utility Vehicle in U.S. By Year 2000DETROIT, Jan. 7 -- Hyundai will introduce both an all-new minivan and an all-new sport utility vehicle in the U.S. market by the year 2000 as part of its introduction of six new vehicles Hyundai Motor America President M. H. Juhn told journalists today at the North American International Auto Show. "These two completely new additions to our product lineup, in addition to the four replacements in our existing car lines clearly demonstrate Hyundai's commitment to United States market," said Juhn. "Despite a difficult economic situation in our home market, Hyundai remains a strong force in the global auto industry. Hyundai will not slow its product development activities or engineering advancements, even as we actively work to reduce costs throughout our operation," Juhn said. The new Hyundai minivan will go on sale at U.S. dealerships in 1999. The four-door sport utility vehicle will go on sale one year later. The minivan will be a front-wheel drive vehicle powered by a V-6 engine, about the size of a Dodge Caravan. It will feature "a great deal of storage, interior space and plenty of cup holders," according to Juhn. The Hyundai sport utility vehicle will be available in both two- and four- wheel drive versions. One of Hyundai's five international design studios, The Hyundai California Design Studio, in Fountain Valley, Calif. has been heavily involved in the design of the sport utility vehicle. The vehicle will be about the size of a Toyota RAV 4. Juhn also announced four other new vehicles Hyundai will be introducing in the next several years in the U.S. In 1998 Hyundai will bring in an all-new replacement for the Hyundai Sonata. That vehicle will be completely new, including the two engines and four transmissions that will be available for that vehicle. In addition to the new minivan, in 1999 Hyundai will introduce a new Accent, the company's subcompact car, as well as a dramatic redesign of its popular sporty coupe, the Tiburon. "Although the Tiburon was only introduced in 1997, we know that sports car buyers' tastes change quickly, so we determined to keep customers happy by keeping the Tiburon fresh and attractive," said Juhn. In the year 2000 Hyundai Motor America will also introduce a replacement for its compact Elantra. SOURCE Hyundai Motor America