Hyundai’s largest model – the Palisade – arrived in Malaysia in December 2021, three years after it made its global debut. Just three months later, in New York, the updated version was unveiled but Malaysia continued with the pre-facelift model throughout 2022. Today sees the updated Palisade being launched by Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) In Malaysia with four variants to choose from.
For the 2023 model, the features and equipment have been commonised so, apart from the powertrains and a few items, all four variants are similar. Incidentally, HSDM is importing the European model which probably best matches Malaysian Type Approval requirements.
While the Toyota Hiace and its clones from China have long been popular among fleet operators requiring seating for 10 persons or more, there has also been the Hyundai Starex in recent years as an alternative. Now Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) will also offer the Hyundai Staria with a 10-seat configuration.
To go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2022, the large Korean MPV is essentially similar to the Staria 7-seater launched last year. According to Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM, there has been the expectation that the 10-seater Staria will also be made available.
“We have been getting enquiries for the 10-seater variant as there has been anticipation that the 10-seater variant will replace the Starex. Like the Starex, this new 10-seater variant of the Staria is ideal for big families, tour operators and businesses. However, it has vast improvements and more functionalities in every aspect compared to the Starex,” he said.
Hyundai Sime-Darby (HSDM) mula menerima tempahan bagi Hyundai Kona yang diumumkan akan dilancarkan di Malaysia pada suku ke-4 tahun ini.
Hyundai Kona merupakan SUV kompak (CBU) yang diimport sepenuhnya daripada Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) di Ulsan, Korea Selatan.
Ketibaan Hyundai Kona menyaksikan HSDM menawarkan tiga jenis SUV untuk pasaran tempatan termasuk Tucson dan Santa Fe dengan Kona menjadi tawaran baharu SUV segmen B di Malaysia.
Hyundai Kona meneruskan identiti rekaan baharu jenama pengeluar dari Korea itu dengan gril lata yang kini menjadi rupa ikonik kepada Hyundai.
Antara ciri lain ditawarkan adalah lampu komposit dengan LED Daytime Running Light yang terletak di atas lampu depan LED sementara tempat duduk lebih tinggi membantu meningkatkan penglihatan yang lebih baik kepada pemandu.
Pengarah Urusan HSDM, Low Yuan Lung, yakin Hyundai Kona akan merancakkan lagi segmen B di Malaysia.
“Kami teruja dengan pelancaran Kona kerana merupakan produk baharu bagi kami dalam segmen ini. SUV kompak mempunyai permintaan tinggi bukan sahaja di Malaysia malah di dunia,” katanya.
Hyundai Kona telah pun dilancarkan di Korea Selatan pada 2017 dan bingkas mencapai populariti dengan lebih 600,000 unit telah pun terjual di seluruh dunia sehinga Julai 2020.
Hyundai Kona akan ditawarkan dengan harga RM115,000 untuk pasaran Malaysia.
Hyundai Motor Company has been recognized for its cutting-edge vehicle design at the world-renowned iF Design Award 2019 for the fifth straight year. The Palisade and Le Fil Rouge concept vehicle each won the Automobiles/Vehicles category at the eminent competition in the global automotive industry.
Hyundai’s record streak this year marks another milestone for the company, which continues to make strides in making premium cars affordable and available for customers worldwide. The award acknowledged Hyundai’s new flagship SUV, Palisade — a premium three-row sports utility vehicle debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year.
Palisade (above) features ground breaking capabilities and technologies for all-road driving, safety and speed. Its bold architecture, including both the interior and exterior, is also designed for maximum comfort, roominess and relaxation. Another winner went to Hyundai’s Le Fil Rouge concept car, debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 2018.
The Le Fil Rouge (below) embodies a reinterpretation of Hyundai’s sporty design spirit that was first featured in the 1974 Hyundai Coupe Concept. Exemplifying “sensuous sportiness,” the vehicle harmonizes the four fundamental design elements of proportion, architecture, styling and technology, and simultaneously combines beauty and function.
For more than 64 years, the iF Design Award has been recognized as a symbol of excellence by design professionals around the world. Organized by iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hanover — the world’s oldest independent design institution — the prestigious prize is bestowed upon top designers spanning various disciplines and categories. In 2019, companies from 50 countries participated in the event with 6,400 product submissions, which were judged by a jury of 67 international design experts.
Hyundai Motor has been ranked among the highest valued brands in the world once again, according to the latest rankings published by global brand specialist Interbrand. Hyundai’s global brand value grows 3% since 2017 to a company record high of US $13.5 billion. This result successfully places the company in a Top 40 Best Global Brandsposition for the fourth year in a row. The company is ranked the world’s 36th most valuable brand in challenging conditions of many global markets.
“Hyundai Motor is an innovative and creative brand that continually develops and implements new vehicle functions that our customers want, providing them with seamless automotive experiences, so we are thrilled to see the company’s brand value increase continuously year over year,” said Wonhong Cho, Chief Marketing Officer, Hyundai Motor Company. “Recent developments in the automotive industry, such as electrification, connectivity and autonomous driving, present huge opportunities for Hyundai to be a leading force in the future of global mobility.” Hyundai Motor maintains sixth position in the global automotive rankings. This follows a period of exponential growth for the company, which has seen a four-fold increase in brand value since 2005.
“The continuous growth of Hyundai’s brand value is the result of Hyundai’s investments in future mobility initiatives, as well as its commitment to continuously enhance the strength of its brand. The launch of NEXO, based on advanced fuel cell technology, as well as its new high performance brand N have showcased Hyundai’s technological credentials and laid the foundations for a more differentiated positioning for the Hyundai brand. Brands that truly internalize their values and respond rapidly to market changes always add value for their businesses,”Mike Rocha, Global Director of Brand Valuation for Interbrand said.
Hyundai has achieved a significant number of major automotive industry milestones, including creating the world’s first dedicated hydrogen-powered SUV, NEXO. Hyundai’s eco-car line-up also includes the All-new Kona Electric, and the IONIQ, which showcases the company’s pioneering spirit in the field of future mobility. With its progressive models Hyundai offers the broadest range of eco-powertrains in the industry.
On the local front…
Meanwhile in Malaysia, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) is expanding its sales and service network in Peninsular Malaysia by adding on five more sales and service outlets at various locations namely Seri Kembangan, Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, Muar and Menglembu to improve access to its products and service.
“We are opening up more sales and service centres particularly in the suburbs to make it more accessible for Hyundai owners living outside the city areas, and also for those who are passing by when travelling from one district to another. We have covered most of the city and town areas in all states, so naturally, our next move is to expand to the suburbs to offer convenience to Hyundai owners living in those areas,” said Mr Dennis Ho, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors (Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan).
In the central region of the Peninsular, a spanking new sales showroom has opened up at Taman Equine in Seri Kembangan. The showroom is operated by Millennium Automart Sdn Bhd, which has vast experience in managing premium auto brands, and is committed to offering the highest standards in service to all its customers. Up north in Kedah, GS Smart Auto Gallery has opened its sales outlet and a service centre at Kompleks Perniagaan Bawal in Alor Setar. In Sungai Petani, Lee Cheng Motor Services Sdn Bhd has opened a service centre in Kawasan Miel Phase II, offering maintenance services for all Hyundai models, while in Muar, Ang Trading & Motor Credit Sdn Bhd has opened a service centre along Jalan Sulaiman. Both the Muar and Alor Setar service centres are authorised IONIQ Hybrid service centre.
In Menglembu, Perak, Vong Auto Service Centre will be opening its service centre on the 1st of November at Kawasan Perusahaan Menglembu, offering service maintenance for all Hyundai models. With these new sales and service centres, Hyundai has a total of 69 outlets (including all 3S centres, sales outlet and service centres) nationwide. For more information, customers can log on to www.hyundai.com.my or call Hyundai’s Customer Careline at 1-300-13-2000.
The 2018 redesigned Tucson has been launched at all Hyundai showrooms nationwide. Unveiled with futuristic new exterior and interior designs, the facelifted Tucson is available in two variants i.e the 2.0L Elegance and the 1.6L Turbo which are priced at *RM123,888 and *RM143,888 respectively. (*Price excludes insurance and only applies to Peninsular Malaysia.)
The signature elements of the Hyundai cascading grille and modern-day surfacing found in the rear view create shadowy, dramatic impressions that represent the Hyundai DNA. The new 17-inch rims as well as LED headlights and rear lights (applicable for the Turbo variant) offer a new dynamic stance of this redesigned version. The 1.6L Turbo is offered with a Chrome Garnish grille, Chrome Coated door handles with pocket lighting as well as LED headlights with Positioning Lamp and Low Beam Assist-Static Lights. The 2.0L Elegance comes with the Metallic Silver grille and Halogen Bulbs with Positioning Lamp.
The cockpit is redesigned featuring Hyundai’s latest 7-inch floating display that comes with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™; a new front panel air-conditioner vent design, new cluster, and a new leather seat design. The 1.6L Turbo comes with more advanced features such as the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), Electro-Chromic Mirror (ECM), 8-way power seat for the driver with 2-Way Lumbar Support, 4.2-inch TFT LCD Super Vision and a leather garnish for the front panel.
The 1.6L Turbo maintains the T-GDI engine that produces 177PS of horsepower and delivers a maximum torque of 265Nm from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm while the 2.0L Elegance maintains the Nu MPi engine that produces 155PS of horsepower at 6,200 rpm and a maximum torque of 192Nm at 4,000 rpm.
Safety features such as the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-Assist Control (HAC), Downhill Brake Control (DBC), Brake Assist System (BAS) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) come as standard for both the variants. The 1.6L Turbo variant comes with six airbags, smart tailgate system, as well as Front and Rear Parking Distance Warning while the 2.0L Elegance variant only comes with two airbags and Rear Parking Distance Warning.
“The response for the Tucson has been encouraging since we opened our order books about two weeks ago. The new design is appealing to many SUV enthusiasts because it is modern, futuristic and chic. I am confident that the Tucson will be the choice for many young urban dwellers,” said Mr Dennis Ho, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors (Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan).
The Tucson is entitled to 50,000km free service with 3 years’ validity and a five-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) warranty. For more information or to place a booking, interested parties can head to the nearest sales outlet or call Hyundai’s Customer Careline at 1-300-13-2000.
