Emerging Asian Car Brands

Wahington DC September 2, 2008; The AIADA newsletter reported that Korean brands Hyundai and Kia are well-placed to take advantage of U.S. consumers' thirst for small, fuel-efficient vehicles. But, according to Automotive News, it is too early to gauge the impact that products from Chinese and Indian automakers will have in the United States.

Hyundai is preparing a barrage of new products over the next four years, including the up-market 2009 Genesis. Smaller-displacement engines, turbochargers, and at least one hybrid model are also planned by Hyundai.

And at Kia, the tall, boxy 2010 Soul is taking aim at buyers enamored with Toyota's Scion vehicles. The Soul also will go up against another boxy newcomer, the Nissan Cube.

But India's Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. will tiptoe into the United States, and although there has been lots of talk from Chinese automakers, just one vehicle is penciled in, appearing in 2011. Each automaker must tackle high fuel prices, tougher CAFE regulations, and concerns about emissions.