KIA will Lunch HM(Project name) end of this year

( Sketch of HM )

I believe that you guys already know that Hyundai and KIA are same company. Hyundai merged KIA in 1999.



Like Hyundai lunched Veracruz to gain a market share in SUV, KIA will lunch HM (Project Name) end of this year. The picture top of the article is the sketch of the HM.




One of interesting thing is that this model is first car which is designed by Peter Schreyer, KIA's vice-president. He said he applies his Idea, "Simplify the Straight Line".
By contrast Veracruz looks like a on-road SUV, Veracruz looks like a off-road SUV.



The other and the most important point for me is that the engine of HM is different from Veracruz.



The HM will have the V6 3.0 Diesel S engine. Veracruz has V6 E-VGT Diesel engine.


Veracruz's one is a front-wheel drive, transversely mounted with horse power of 240, torque of 46. But HM's one is a rear-wheel drive, longitudinal mounted one with horse power of 250, torque of 56. But both of them has very important common fact. Both are really "quiet" unlike other diesel engine mounted car.



Also KIA announced that HM will take all technology KIA has developed.





KIA wants to be a named SUV company. Like KIA did in Korea, does they can make a good impression to the world?



I think it's possible.



Following my research last month, KIA's(yea, actually Hyundai's) technology is not that lagged behind anymore. Like Veracruz did, I think HM will make it out.



I will post about Veracruz's a trial drive soon. The result of that is Awesome. That makes you understand why I believe HM will succeed.

Does Brand value of Hyundai surpass Lexus?

- Hyundai Veracruz TV AD -

- Joel Piaskowski, Chief Designer, for Hyundai's latest crossover vehicle the Veracruz at the media launch in La Jolla, CA. gives you a walk around. Provided by AutoNetwork -

This morning, I read the interesting article about Brand value of Hyundai.
From the research which is made by BusinessWeek and Interbrand, Brand value of Hyundai surpass the Lexus.

Of course, Lexus doesn't mean Toyota. The brand value of Toyota is top of the brand value of Automobile industry. (You can find information about methodology by which it ranks the most dynamic global brands and why certain ones are thriving so heartily from here: http://feedroom.businessweek.com/index.jsp?fr_story=bf795f405b1ed889a456dbccc5d179ba5d4b820e)

And more interesting result is that Hyundai is ranked 8th among Automobile companies. You can find the ranks below.

I think foreigners, especially Nrth American think Hyundai car like it's cheep but doesn't have good quality and the car only for young people who doen't have money enough to buy other cars. I still believe like that.
But today's result shows it can be changed. Isn't it?

Hyundai has tried to improve their brand value like Toyota did.
Equus is one of the result it made, and followings are Veracruz and Genesis.

- Genesis -

- Veracruz -

I'd like to post about Veracruz and Genesis some day. They have really really good engine and got a good comment from all over the world.

I hope Hyundai is ranked in 4th or 5th, someday, somehow.

See you~