New factory-owned distributor Hyundai Motor UK plans three model launches in the first half of 2006.
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Key among these is the redesigned Santa Fe SUV, now with seven seats.
Also coming, as exclusively reported recently by just-auto’s Indian correspondents, is an updated Amica compact city car, now sourced from India rather than South Korea.
Hyundai will also add a a new three door Accent to its UK line-up and launch three new engines for the Sonata. Crucially, in a sector dominated by diesel, a new four cylinder 2.0 litre turbocharged diesel model is on its way, along with a 3.3 litre petrol V6. The new engines will be here in spring.
Hyundai will also add new two-wheel drive diesel Tucson SUV models later in the year.
It’s one of the few automakers to offer both two- four-wheel drive versions of its SUVs – Nissan does the same with the X-Trail. Toyota tried it with the RAV4 but demand was so low, the 2WD version was axed.
Hyundai UK claims its coupe outsold both the Audi TT and Toyota Celica in 2005, after shifting 4,565 units.
HMUK managing director Tony Whitehorn said in a statement: “In 2005 we consolidated our market position in the UK, increasing our share from 1.47% to an all-time record for Hyundai of 1.5%, in a tough market that was otherwise 5% down overall. This put us ahead of some serious European competition.
“We are particularly excited about the introduction of the all-new Santa Fe in the spring. With seven seats it takes us into a whole new market.”
