Azera is the Seventh Hyundai Model to Achieve Highest Safety Rating

COSTA MESA, Calif., May 16, 2012 – The all-new Hyundai Azera achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest honor for 2012 as a Top Safety Pick this week. Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover and rear crashes, based on “good” ratings in Institute tests. Elantra, Sonata, Genesis, Equus, Tucson and Santa Fe are also 2012 Top Safety Picks.

“Having a great recipe of safety equipment baked into the all-new Azera put it on the top pick list,” said Scott Margason, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The Azera takes ESC and seating to the next level, by adding the ability to automatically counter steer the car from pulling too much in one direction and further reduce head and neck injuries through an impact reducing seat structure.”

The IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings help consumers pick vehicles that offer the highest level of crash protection. Azera meets the Top Safety Pick rating criteria by earning good ratings in a front and side crash test, rear impact test assessing whiplash protection and a roof strength test to measure occupant protection in rollover crashes.

ADVANCED STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES: PART OF HYUNDAI’S ASSURANCE COMMITMENT AND IT STARTS WITH THE SEATS
Azera has an exceptional level of standard safety features for the large car segment right down to the part people spend the most time in – the seats. Hyundai engineers have developed an impact-reducing seat system for the Azera. This seat system eliminates the need for active front head restraints and is expected to reduce head and neck injuries by 17 percent over the front seats in the previous generation Azera, which had active front head restraints. This result is achieved through optimization of seat back structure to further absorb impacts.

Azera has a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system, which optimally manages ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS).VSM works to control two effects. The first is when a driver accelerates or brakes on a split-mu surface (slippery on one side, dry pavement on the other) and the vehicle wants to pull in one direction. VSM detects this condition and sends a signal to the MDPS to apply steering assist. VSM counters the pull and automatically provides eight Newton meters of counter- steering. VSM reacts the same way during sudden lane changes or fast cornering.

Azera features nine airbags including dual front, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact, front and rear side curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag.

The Azera also features a state-of-the-art braking package. The package includes four-wheel disc brakes (12.6 inch front and 11.2 inch rear) and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), to automatically adjust the braking force to front and rear axles based on vehicle loading conditions.

Additionally, Azera offers impressive passive safety features including a Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for children’s seats and three-point seatbelts for all positions.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, 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 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com

Journalists are invited to visit our news media web site: www.hyundainews.com

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

• Award given to Jeep® Wrangler Call of Duty® electroluminescent billboard campaign titled ‘Any World – Night Vision’
• National OBIE Award recognizes agency design teams that produce outstanding outdoor advertising campaigns
• Any World – Night Vision’ featured three large completely backlit electroluminescent billboards executed simultaneously in Los Angles, New York and Chicago

loading images 2/2

OnStar data shows mileage of drivers in identical cars can vary by 75 percent

2012-05-16

DETROIT – With the official start of the summer driving season fast approaching, Chevrolet is reminding consumers of some easy ways to maintain their vehicles and drive smarter to help improve fuel economy and save money at the pump.

To demonstrate 10 common mistakes drivers make that hurt their fuel economy, General Motors fuel economy engineers Ann Wenzlick and Beth Nunning drove identical Chevrolet Cruze LTs with an EPA estimated at 24 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, on a typical workday commute. For the route, they drove both cars for 20 minutes, including city and highway driving as well as stopping for coffee.

The results show that sweating the small stuff could save drivers as much as $100 a month in fuel costs. Wenzlick averaged 37 miles per gallon using efficient driving habits in a properly maintained Cruze. Driving inefficiently and ignoring common maintenance, Nunning managed only 21 miles per gallon. The difference means Nunning would get 250 fewer miles per tank of gas, while Wenzlick would save $100 a month – or $1,200 a year – assuming 15,000 miles and $4 a gallon for gas:

“Ann and Beth’s results support data from OnStar that shows the fuel economy of drivers in identical cars can vary by 75 percent,” said Roger Clark, manager of the GM Energy Center. “With a well-maintained car, the best drivers get up to 25 percent more miles per gallon than average. When you combine a poorly maintained car with inefficient driving habits, the fuel economy of the worst drivers can be 50 percent below average.

“The fuel economy of every vehicle is greatly affected by how you drive, and how you care for your vehicle,” Clark said. “Often, relatively small changes to your driving habits and vehicle maintenance can make the difference between being on the bottom, or the top, of the fuel-economy scale.”

Five Driving Tips to Save at the Pump

Here are five things Ann Wenzlick did to drive more efficiently in her Cruze:

1. Get out of the drive-through lane.
   “While Beth waited in the drive-thru with her car running, I shut off the engine and went inside for my morning coffee. Idling for 15 minutes burns through an average of a quarter of a gallon – adding another $1 to the cost of your latte.”
2. Take it easy
   “In the city, I accelerated smoothly while Beth demonstrated one of the most common mistakes we see on the road: Jumping on the gas at every light, only to hit the brakes as she caught up with the traffic ahead. Such aggressive driving isn’t going to get you home any faster, while driving smoothly can improve your mileage by 20 percent.”
3. Driving 70, not 80.
   “On the highway, I drove 70, compared to Beth’s 80. Again, a 10-mph difference likely won’t add much time to your daily commute, but it will save you up to four miles per gallon on the highway.”
4. Use cruise control
   “I tried to maintain a constant speed during our drive, while Beth’s fluctuated with traffic. Try using cruise control when possible, and maintaining a constant speed over time, which is much more efficient than speeding up and slowing down over and over again.”
5. Roll up the windows
   “One of the most common questions we get is ‘Is it better to drive with the A/C on, or off?’ At slower speeds, turning off the air conditioning can save you a little, but I always roll up the windows on the highway. Beth was driving with her windows down, and the increased air pressure acted like a parachute trying to slow her down – consuming much more energy than air conditioning ever will.”

Five Vehicle Mistakes That Hurt MPG:

Here are things that contributed to Beth Nunning’s poor fuel economy:

1. Low tire pressure
   “All four tires on my car were five pounds under their recommended air pressure. That’s not enough to change how the Cruze drives, but it does make the engine work much harder to turn the wheels. Check your tires at least once a month, as a tire that is 10 pounds under pressure can cut your fuel efficiency by more than 3 percent.”
2. Using roof ornaments
   “To show support for my Detroit Tigers, I put up window flags on my Cruze for every home game. But, when the boys hit the road, the flags will come down. At highway speeds, up to a third of your fuel is used to overcome wind resistance, so even small changes to your vehicle’s aerodynamics will have a big impact in fuel economy.”
3. Carrying extra junk in the trunk
   “I had six bags of water-softener salt in the trunk I bought on sale at the hardware store. But, according to EPA estimates, every 100 pounds of weight can reduce fuel economy by 2 percent. While I saved at the checkout, that 240 pounds of salt added almost 5 percent to my fuel costs for the trip.”
4. Ignoring the “check engine” light
   “I called OnStar to run a remote diagnostics check on my Cruze, because the check engine light was on. Turns out the light was on because the gas cap was loose. But more serious engine problems can cut your fuel economy by up to 40 percent.”
5. Not bundling errands
   “An engine at operating temperature is up to 50 percent more efficient than a cold engine. So, when possible, it’s much better to run five errands in an afternoon, than running one errand every day of the week.

Regular Vehicle Maintenance Tips That Can Save Money in the Long-run:

1. Make your tires last
   Properly inflated tires will improve your fuel economy, and they will last longer. Also rotate tires at manufacturer-recommended intervals.
2. Use the recommended grade of motor oil
   Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.
3. Check your owner’s manual for the most effective octane level for your car.
   For most cars, the recommended gasoline is regular octane. In most cases, using a higher-than-recommended octane gas offers no benefit – and costs more.
4. Batteries can make or break you
   Check battery life, replace or charge your current battery and make sure battery cables are free of corrosion. Many breakdowns occur because batteries aren’t delivering full cranking power.
5. Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks.
   According to the EPA, tune-ups improve performance as well as gas mileage. Check your owner’s manual for recommended maintenance schedules and follow them. This will avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or the transmission failing to go into high gear.
6. Be skeptical about any gizmo that promises to improve your gas mileage. The EPA has tested supposed gas-saving devices – including “mixture enhancers” and fuel line magnets – and found that very few provided any fuel economy benefits. The devices that did work provided only a slight improvement in gas mileage. In fact, some products may damage your car’s engine or cause a substantial increase in exhaust emissions. For a full list of tested products, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/reports.htm.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Automaker Giving Away 100 Cars to 100 Nonprofits between Now and Aug. 21

Winners Selected by the Public Each Day on Facebook at www.100carsforgood.com

• A $500 ‘Military Appreciation Bonus Consumer Cash’ allowance will be applied toward the retail purchase or lease of a new, eligible Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, or FIAT brand vehicle
• All franchised Chrysler Group dealers are eligible to participate
• Bonus cash offered for limited time

May 14, 2012 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today announced that the company will expand its support for the U.S. military by adding a $500 “Military Appreciation Bonus Consumer Cash” allowance to the retail purchase or lease of a new, eligible Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, or FIAT brand vehicle from May 14 through May 31, 2012.

The “Military Appreciation Bonus Consumer Cash” is on top of the $500 military bonus cash that the Chrysler Group already offers to eligible members of the military and their families.

Eligible consumers include active military, active military reserve, retired military (honorable discharge required), and retired military reserve (honorable discharge required). All honorably discharged veterans are eligible regardless of discharge date.

“Chrysler Group and its dealers are proud to support the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families by offering this additional Military Appreciation Bonus Consumer Cash,” said Reid Bigland, President and Chief Executive Officer – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “During this 18-day period, eligible members of the military and their families can take advantage of this $1,000 cash allowance to purchase or lease a new Chrysler Group vehicle.”

This limited-time offer is available on 2012 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brand vehicles, excluding the 2012 Dodge Avenger SE, Chrysler 200 LX sedan, Dodge Journey AVP, Fiat 500 Abarth, all SRT models, and the Viper.

All eligible personnel must present their military I.D., discharge papers (DD214 form), or other documentation that clearly reflects their eligibility status, to a franchised Chrysler dealer in the United States at the time of retail purchase of an eligible vehicle.

Additional information about this special promotion may be obtained from any participating Chrysler Group dealer.

For additional photos, click here.

Carroll Shelby, Automotive Legend Dies

DEARBORN, Mich., May 11, 2012– Carroll Shelby was a member of the Ford family for the better part of 60 years, producing stunning performance vehicles from concepts to production models.

110th Anniversary of Ford Racing video (Oct 19, 2011)

• 1952: Shelby enters first race at the wheel of a Ford-powered hot rod
• 1962: Shelby tests his first Ford-powered AC 260 Roadster – the car that would become the Shelby Cobra. Shelby-American begins operations in Venice, Calif. Cobra production begins
• 1964: Ford asks Shelby to develop a high-performance Mustang derivative. First Shelby prototypes are built
• 1965: Shelby GT350 is introduced. Ford hires Shelby-American to oversee GT40 program. Hertz begins buying GT350H versions for its “rent-a-racer” program
• 1966: Ford GT40 Mark II wins Le Mans. First 1967 Shelby GT500s delivered
• 1967: Ford and Shelby-American win Le Mans, again. 1968 Shelby Mustang convertibles debut
• 1968: 1969 model year production begins
• 1969: Shelby Mustang production ends
• 1970: Ford and Shelby end their long-term racing agreement
• 2001: Carroll Shelby is invited by Ford to consult on GT40 Concept
• 2002: Ford green-lights production of Ford GT
• 2003: Ford invites Shelby to collaborate on a concept car that pays homage to original Shelby Cobra
• 2004: Ford Shelby Cobra Concept steals the show at NAIAS. Ford asks Shelby to consult on a follow-up concept. Shelby announces it will build limited-edition Shelby Ford Expedition. Ford unveils Shelby GR-1 Concept
• 2006: Shelby GTH debuts at New York Auto Show
• 2007: GT500 name debuts
• 2008: First 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR rolls off the line on Carroll Shelby’s 85th birthday. Partnering with Ford Racing, Shelby fields factory race team for the first time since 1969
• 2011: Debut of 662-horsepower, 631-lb.-ft. 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, the most powerful production V8 engine in the world
• 2012: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 sells at Barrett-Jackson for $350,000

Trax will debut at Paris Motor Show and be sold in more than 140 countries

2012-05-14

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Trax, an all-new small sport utility vehicle, will join the Chevrolet global portfolio and make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

With room for five passengers and class-leading cargo space, Trax will meet the needs of customers in more than 140 markets.  Mexico and Canada will be the first markets to launch the crossover in the fourth quarter of this year. Because of the strong position of the Equinox, there are no plans to introduce the Trax in the U.S. market.

“The Trax provides Chevrolet an entry into a growing small SUV segment and delivers the flexibility, great fuel economy and car-like handling that urban explorers around the world require,” said Mary Barra, GM senior vice president of Product Development. “After a record sales year in 2011 and a record first quarter, Chevrolet continues to meet customer needs by expanding its portfolio with strong new entries.”

Chevrolet has recently introduced a new Malibu mid-sized sedan, Colorado pickup, TrailBlazer mid-sized SUV and Cruze station wagon. When it joins its siblings in the showroom, Trax will possess the same pioneering spirit and expressive design that defines each new Chevrolet.

Trax exhibits its SUV toughness and capability in a small package through a muscular exterior design and wide athletic stance. While its contemporary form evolves the global Chevrolet design aesthetic, Trax’s interior and details will be executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

•  Increased profits;

•  Improved visibility;

•  Strengthened customer loyalty;

•  Encourages repeat business;

•  Enhanced company image;

•  Educates children—customers of the future;

•  Positive media coverage;

•  Free media coverage.