otomotif

PRESS RELEASE: HYUNDAI ACCENT TOPS CLASS IN J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES INITIAL QUALITY STUDY

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 06/17/2010 - J.D. Power and Associates announced today that the Hyundai Accent topped the sub-compact segment in its 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS). Owners of the economical and fun-to-drive 2010 Accent reported the fewest problems per 100 vehicles in its segment. Elantra also finished in the top three in the compact car segment.

Overall, Hyundai finished third among non-premium brands in the 2010 Initial Quality Study, holding a top-three position for the second consecutive year, well below the industry average for reported problems per 100 vehicles.

“Pursuit of industry-leading quality is Hyundai’s number one global priority,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “It’s fitting that our most economical model, the Accent, leads its class in initial quality. It demonstrates that quality and value can go hand-in-hand.”

The J.D. Power and Associates IQS measures 228 attributes, including the overall driving experience, engine and transmission, and a broad range of defect and design problems reported by vehicle owners. The 2010 study tallied over 82,000 responses from owners of new, 2010 model-year vehicles.

[Source: Hyundai]

Of the more U.S.-relevant reveals at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show in China today is this Hyundai Verna. Why? Because it's the overseas version of what we know as the 2011 Hyundai Accent.

Sporting Hyundai's latest 'fluidic sculpture' design language, the Verna comes off overall as a shrunk-down 2011 Sonata - not that that's a bad thing. The now-familiar sweeping side character line, oversized headlights, and wavy front grille are all present on the new Accent - a vehicle that has been in need of a significant makeover for some time.

From what we can see of the interior, Hyundai seems to have applied a slightly up-market touch to the inside of its new Verna. The Korean automaker also claims to have made large improvements to NVH levels in the compact sedan.

Underhood, the 2011 Verna features the new-generation Gamma gasoline engine in either 1.4-liter or 1.6-liter DOHC inline-four configurations. The larger of the two is expected to be offered in the U.S. and 106 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque are available in the Chinese-spec version. Transmission options include a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

Hyundai, like many other automakers, has been enjoying strong sales in China, with over two million vehicles being sold there since the brand arrived in 2002. In 2009, Hyundai posted a 94-percent year-over-year sales boost, making for an easy decision to maintain its presence in the market.

We'll continue to keep you updated as more information on the U.S.-spec 2011 Hyundai Accent arrives.

[Source: Hyundai via Motor Trend]

Continue reading to view more images.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/egmcartech/sets/72157623791299031/show/