MARKHAM, Ontario, February 11, 2009 ? The 2009 Hyundai Genesis was today named Canadian Car of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. This marks the first time a Korean manufacturer has won the prestigious Canadian award.

To win Canadian Car of the Year honours, the Hyundai Genesis was first named Best New Luxury Vehicle Under $50,000 by AJAC, defeating several other well-known luxury brands to win its category and become eligible for the overall Car of the Year award. In rigorous testing, the Genesis surpassed competitors such as the Audi A3, Acura TL and Infiniti G37X when areas such as engine refinement, ride comfort, exterior styling, visibility, roominess and comfort were evaluated.

"Winning the Canadian Car of the Year award with the Genesis is absolutely terrific news," said Steve Kelleher, president and CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "This award is testimony to the fact that Hyundai produces award-winning vehicles at all levels of the market, from the entry-level subcompact segment to the high-end luxury segment. Canadians can now buy a high-quality, luxurious vehicle with every feature they could want at an affordable price. And in today's economic environment, that is smart."

Hyundai's Genesis has received many accolades since its arrival in the marketplace. Among its accomplishments, the Genesis has also been recognized as North American Car of the Year, and its all-new 4.6-litre Tau V8 engine was named one of "Ward's 10 Best Engines" for 2009 by Ward's Auto World, marking the first time a Hyundai engine has appeared on the prestigious "Ward's 10 Best Engines" list.

Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 170 dealerships nationwide.

• Computer rendering reveals dynamic styling for compact SUV
• Three-door i20 to debut at Geneva Show
• First application of stop-start technology to be shown on i30 blue

Offenbach, February 09^th 2009

Hyundai Motor Company will unveil an all-new concept car at this year's Salon International de L'Automobile in Geneva on March 3^rd, and the first image of the vehicle has just been released. This innovative concept portrays a dramatic new look for compact SUVs and was styled at the company's European Design headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany.

The world premiere of this new concept ? codenamed HED-6 ? will take centre stage on the Hyundai stand, with two other vehicles completing a hat-trick of debuts for the company. The three-door version of new B-segment challenger the i20 will be shown for the first time on stage, further enhancing the Hyundai small-car offering, while the i30 blue will showcase the first application of stop-start technology on a Hyundai production car, contributing to a significant cut in both fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

HED-6 concept car

Hyundai's European design team has hailed HED-6 as an 'urban nomad, a car of contrast for a world of contrast', citing cultural influences from major cities like Berlin, Paris and London as key to its creation.

HED-6 combines muscular design and everyday utility to fit comfortably in an urban or out-of-town environment. The dramatic exterior design is enhanced by the hexagonal grille, angular style lines and piercing back-swept front headlamps, with the bold look completed by 21-inch, mirror-polished alloy wheels. The three-dimensional, sculpted shape of the rear window is achieved using "Lexan" high-performance plastics instead of regular glass. To emphasize the dynamic flowing lines, the designers have developed a special 'Ice Blue' exterior paint, with an advanced pigment effect for a brilliant shine.

Equipped with LED daytime running lights and powered by a 175 HP, 1.6-litre GDi turbocharged engine, HED-6 gives an indication of the next generation of Hyundai SUVs.

Allan Rushforth, Vice President at Hyundai Motor Europe said, "The HED-6 brings an entirely new look to Hyundai's SUV line-up. It fuses a robust exterior with a fresh and elegant interior, making for an eye-catching package, while its latest-generation power train highlights Hyundai's clean-technology expertise."

i30 blue

Hyundai decided on a global basis to label all low emission vehicles to be launched, starting with i30, under the sub-brand "blue". The i30 produced in Nosovice, Czech Republic, will be the first mass production vehicle to wear the blue label as i30 blue.

Demonstrating the company's commitment to lowering vehicle CO₂ emissions and reducing costs for consumers, Hyundai brings ISG (Idle Stop and Go) technology to a production car for the first time.

Ideal for city driving, the i30 blue will automatically switch the car's engine off when stationary.

The ISG system uses an advanced starter motor connected to the ECU, which monitors the car's status at all times. Remarkably, this technology applied to Hyundai's 1.6-litre petrol engine reduces fuel consumption by 7% on the official combined cycle, while achieving a lower CO₂ rating of 142g/km, compared to 152g/km on the regular i30 1.6.

Available in showrooms by mid-year, the i30 blue will come in both five-door hatchback and CW estate body styles and a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines. Following in the footsteps of i30, other models in the Hyundai new-car range will progressively be offered with ISG technology.

i20 three-door

Set to play an important role in developing Hyundai's brand and sales success in Europe, the chic and versatile i20 three-door will go on sale in the second quarter of 2009. Adding a lower entry-level price to the i20 line-up, the youthful and sporty three-door variant will boost Hyundai's offering in the largest growing segment in Europe.

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2009 – After months of expert test–drives, critical acclaim and independent awards, the Hyundai Genesis took top honors in the most exclusive award in North America when it was named 2009 North American Car of the Year.

A jury of 50 independent automotive journalists evaluated all the new cars introduced last year and chose the 2009 Hyundai Genesis as the best new model. The award was announced at a news conference at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

"Genesis represents everything we´ve learned, so far, about engineering great automobiles – and we´re delighted that the judges have recognized the good work of our R&D teams," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America acting president and chief executive officer. "And we´re not stopping here…Genesis will share company in Hyundai showrooms this spring with its rear–wheel drive platform–mate, the Genesis Coupe."

This year the jurors considered more than 50 new vehicles before selecting the top three cars and top three trucks. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Ford Flex were the other finalists.

The North American Car of the Year award is decided by a jury of 50 independent, full–time automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. This is the 16th year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European "Car of the Year." They are administered by an organizing committee and are funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors judge the cars on a number of factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 780 dealerships nationwide.

• To display 17 state–of–the–art technologies
• Gauges consumer interest in new products, services

(Seoul, Korea) Hyundai Motor Company will showcase some of its newest infotainment technologies in its debut at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which opens on Jan. 8 in Las Vegas.

"We´re here to show the world a little–known side of ourselves––our world–class IT development capabilities," said Dr. Yang Woong–Chul, President of the Electronic and Eco–Technology Center. "The technologies we´re displaying at CES are either in the process of being implemented in the Korean domestic market or soon will be. We´re here to gauge American public interest," he said.

"Although this is our first CES, we feel right at home because of the fast–growing electronic content in our cars. People want to drive but they still want to be totally connected and we´ll help them do that," he added.

Exhibit highlights include:

Ez–Traffic

Driving safety, convenience and comfort move up a notch with the development of Ez–Traffic which uses forward–looking radar to help maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Regulating the engine control unit and brake control system, Ez–Traffic automatically sets a safe distance from the car ahead and if necessary, automatically brakes the car, brings it to a complete stop if necessary and then automatically resumes acceleration. If the software senses the possibility of a collision, the emergency braking mode brings the car to a stop within the shortest distance possible.

Digital Mobile TV

Enjoy high–definition television entertainment at any speed! Hyundai brings digital TV broadcasts into the car with the world´s first mobile TV system capable of receiving high–definition video and audio at vehicle speeds of up to 180mph. The ATSC–M/H digital broadcast technology is terrestrial–based and operates at 19.4 Mbps. The system can be configured for either free–to–air reception or for subscription–based services, depending on the broadcaster´s business model.

Car–Home Network

Utilizes cellular phone network (GSM or CDMA) and wireless networking (Wi–Fi or WiMax) to connect the car with the home. The Car–Home network enables in–car control of home appliances, regulating heating and air conditioning settings, opening and closing of curtains etc. In the event of a home intrusion, emergency alerts and live surveillance video can be sent directly to the driver on the road. The Car–Home Network makes it possible to remotely start–up the car engine from within the home, as well as adjust the climate controls and to seamlessly transfer music and video contents between car and home entertainment systems.

Car Ubiquitous System

CUbiS (Car Ubiquitous System) opens the door to a wide variety of new in–car information services using the highly popular Bluetooth wireless communications protocol. For example, at the shopping mall Access Point, retailers could use CUbiS to deliver sales and promotional information via Bluetooth directly into the car or help guide the driver to the nearest available free parking space. At the gas station or service center Access Point, CUbiS can perform vehicle diagnostic checks, issue service alerts, analyze the driving history and offer fuel–saving driving tips based on an analysis of driving history. At tollgates, drivers could receive updated traffic information and traffic alerts. At its most basic level, a CUbiS–enabled cellular phone could be used to remotely control the vehicle (door locking and unlocking, engine starting, climate control adjustment, switching lights on and off).

Automotive IT Innovation Center

As part of its efforts to strengthen its IT capabilities, Hyundai in partnership with its sister company Kia Motors Corp. and Microsoft Corp. opened the Automotive IT Innovation Center (AIIC) in November 2008. The Center focuses on the development of the next generation of in–car infotainment systems.

The AIIC will serve as an automotive IT technology incubator by supporting research and development activities of promising IT start–ups in Korea. The technologies developed at AIIC are scheduled for gradual application in Hyundai and Kia vehicles beginning in the second half of 2010. The Center will focus on developing technologies such as auto telecommunication, telematics, navigation systems and Location Based Service (LBS), and improving the Human Machine Interface (HMI).

About CES

The International CES is the industry´s largest educational forum to help companies expand their businesses and understand new technology. Approximately 200 conferences and more than 300 expert speakers encompass International CES conferences, Industry Insiders and SuperSessions to discuss hot industry trends and topics. The International CES is sponsored, produced and managed by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry. Please visit http://www.cesweb.org/default.asp for more information.

• Hyundai becomes 3rd company in the world to develop own 6–speed automatic transaxle
• New transaxle boosts fuel economy by 12%, is 12kg lighter and has 62 fewer parts than a 5–speed
• First application will be in Grandeur/Azera models beginning in January 2009

(Seoul, Korea) To help meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO₂ emissions of its vehicles, Hyundai Motor Company has completed the development of an all–new 6–speed automatic transaxle that will boost fuel economy by more than 12.2 percent.

Designed for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and SUVs, the new compact transaxle puts Hyundai into an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own proprietary 6–speed automatic (after Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture) demonstrating Hyundai´s advanced powertrain engineering capabilities.

"The strength of our design is its totally unique layout which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other 6–speed on the market today," said Hong–Min Kim, the project manager of the transaxle at Hyundai Motor´s R&D Center. In fact, the design is so unique and so advanced, Hyundai has applied for nearly 300 patents to protect its intellectual property.

For the customer, the new six–speed promises a performance edge. The transaxle will first arrive in the new Hyundai Grandeur/Azera equipped with a 3.3–liter V–6 Lambda engine. In this application, it delivers a 12.2 percent gain in fuel economy (10.1km/l versus 9.0km/l) and is 2.5 percent quicker in zero to 100km/h acceleration times (7.8sec versus 8.0 sec). It also delivers an 11 percent improvement in 60km/h to 100km/h passing performance (4.0 sec versus 4.5 sec).

The unit also is maintenance–free: The gearbox is not equipped with a dipstick as it is filled with an automatic transmission fluid that is good for the life of the vehicle thereby reducing maintenance costs.

Developed over a four–year period, this new 6–speed automatic gearbox offers numerous technical merits. Despite the extra gear, it´s 12kg lighter than the 5–speed it replaces. It also is 41mm shorter and considerably simpler having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability and lower cost.

When it comes to gearsets, more is definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.

The gearbox has three planetary gearsets whose hallmark is simplicity of design and a unique flat torque converter which shortens the unit´s overall length by 12mm. Four pinion differentials improve durability and further minimize size.

Another example of engineering ingenuity is to be found in the design of the hydraulic pressure control unit. Because there are always slight manufacturing deviations from one solenoid valve to the next which cause fluctuation in the hydraulic pressure and affect shift precision and quality, the transaxle features cleverly integrated adjustment screws in the valves which enable each of the eight valves to be calibrated at the factory.

This novel feature ensures stable hydraulic pressure at any shift point which facilitates a high degree of precision and control needed to deliver ultra–fast, smooth and precise shifts throughout the rpm range.

The new 6–speed went into production this month (December) and will see its first application in Grandeur/Azera models beginning in January 2009. A total of five variants of the 6–speed transaxle will be produced to accommodate a wide range of gasoline and diesel engines. A total of sixteen different Hyundai models will get this transmission including a redesigned Santa Fe, which is due to arrive in late in 2009 and early 2010 in some markets.