New management revitalizing brand with new model
A new generation of Hyundai passenger cars are set to hit the streets soon as its new distributor, Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH), marked its official debut and relaunch.
HMPH aims to continue strengthening the brand while also renewing customers’ enthusiasm in its lineup of offerings. This is evident in its new and refreshed vehicles unveiled at the company’s relaunch.
Leading HMPH’s charge is its new President, Lee Dong Wook, who will lend his expertise to help the company’s vision become reality. His first order of business is to bring in a diverse set of vehicles that will cater to the needs and wants of every segment in the market, including electric vehicles in the future.
“Hyundai Motor Philippines has been working on rebuilding the brand to provide excellent customer experience through the launch of a broad range of new, innovative and exciting product line-up in the Philippine market,” shared Lee.
New models
As HMPH takes the reigns and expands its dealership presence nationwide, newer car models will also be gracing their showroom floors.
Leading the lineup will be two new models in Hyundai’s top segments: the crossover SUV and van markets, with the all-new Creta and all-new Staria.
Creta
The all-new Creta is a premium B-segment SUV that is based on Hyundai’s new “Sensuous Sportiness” design language. It has a strong, bold and an elegant design. The vehicle has a spacious and comfortable cabin with the most number of active safety features in the segment.
It’s powered by a 1.5 liter Smartstream engine and paired with an improved CVT transmission. These new technologies promise a smoother and more fuel-efficient ride without compromising power output. The Creta is ideal for people on the go and who love adventure. It features a 60:40 Seat split seat that provides versatile cargo space when needed. Outside, the Creta has LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) and rear combination lamps, sporty bumpers, and 17-inch alloy wheels. For space and practicality, it boasts of a wheelbase of 2610 mm and ground clearance of 200 mm. The Creta starts at P988,000 (MT), P1,170,000 (AT), P1,323,000 (limited red), up to P1,332,000 (AT).
Staria
For those looking for VIP comfort, the all-new Staria is not surprisingly the most- anticipated of the new Hyundai vehicles. It features a bold and futuristic exterior design featuring a “Lounge” concept with its lower beltline and taller vehicle height, giving it a sense of openness. It provides passengers the freedom of space and the ability to comfortably position themselves to their liking.
The seven-seater premium variant comes with exclusive design elements like smart sliding doors, a smart power tailgate, dual sunroofs, and loads of active safety features. The 11-seater commuter variant and three-seater cargo variant have twin swinging doors, both of which are perfect for those in need of reliable haulers for their businesses.
The Staria is priced at P1,560,000 (cargo), P1,850,000 (Commuter), P2,320,000 (7-seater), and P2,930,000 (11-seater).
Tucson
Hyundai’s most recognizable marques, the Tucson and Santa Fe, also get cosmetic and performance updates.
The all-new Tucson also carries the “Sensuous Sportiness” design aesthetic. It has a strong, commanding road presence compared to other SUVs thanks to its unique and sporty exterior featuring a Parametric Jewel Pattern Grille and unique side character lines.
Also, the long wheelbase gives passengers extra legroom for a more comfortable ride. Under the hood, the Tucson now has a shift-by-wire automatic transmission that, when paired with its great engine, delivers a fun driving experience.
The Tucson is priced at P1,570,000 (AT gas) and P1,840,000 (AT diesel).
Santa Fe
Higher up on the SUV range is the new Santa Fe. The vehicle exudes a premium look inside and out thanks to design cues and features that cater to even the most fastidious car afficionados. The T-shaped DRL provides a unique light signature, while the new cascading grille and front bumper give a wide and powerful looking front.
The new Santa Fe uses a new modular Gen-3 platform for optimized driving performance. It is also equipped with the Smartstream 2.2-liter diesel engine mated to an eight-speed wet-clutch DCT, a first among Hyundai’s SUVs. The Santa Fe is priced at P2,420,000 (diesel DCT).
Regaining customer trust
HMPH is not done and has major plans to shake up the market and steer consumers’ attention to the brand. A key component of this drive is a nationwide service campaign and warranty program that aims to highlight the brand’s improved aftersales. To better reach more customers, the company will be expanding its dealer network from 38 to 45 by 2023.
“Now that we are starting to introduce these models, we will ensure that the brand is accessible to all our customers through the launch of Hyundai Live in September. This is a two-way communication with our customers using the website as our online showroom that will provide information to meet our customers’ needs” added Lee.
Coming soon
To further boost their vehicle lineup, HMPH is poised to launch two new additions to its roster – the Palisade and Ioniq 5. The Palisade is Hyundai’s large luxury SUV offering while the Ioniq 5 is a full-fledged electric vehicle. This further underscores HMPH’s commitment to a diversified vehicle catalog.
Also in the process is HMPH’s big move from the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc (AVID) to its rival car group, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (CAMPI), owing to the latter’s shared vision of collaborating with key stakeholders for the benefit of the entire motoring industry. “There are a lot of benefits in joining CAMPI and for us to join them at this opportune time would give us a huge boost. There is so much excitement and interest in what we will do next and we can’t wait to show everyone once again what Hyundai Motor is all about,” added Lee.