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Hyundai Announces Plans to Sell Minivan, Sport Utility Vehicle in U.S. By Year 2000

7 January 1998

    DETROIT, Jan. 7 -- Hyundai will introduce both an all-new
minivan and an all-new sport utility vehicle in the U.S. market by the year
2000 as part of its introduction of six new vehicles Hyundai Motor America
President M. H. Juhn told journalists today at the North American
International Auto Show.
    "These two completely new additions to our product lineup, in addition to
the four replacements in our existing car lines clearly demonstrate Hyundai's
commitment to United States market," said Juhn.
    "Despite a difficult economic situation in our home market, Hyundai
remains a strong force in the global auto industry.  Hyundai will not slow its
product development activities or engineering advancements, even as we
actively work to reduce costs throughout our operation," Juhn said.
    The new Hyundai minivan will go on sale at U.S. dealerships in 1999.  The
four-door sport utility vehicle will go on sale one year later.
    The minivan will be a front-wheel drive vehicle powered by a V-6 engine,
about the size of a Dodge Caravan.  It will feature "a great deal of storage,
interior space and plenty of cup holders," according to Juhn.
    The Hyundai sport utility vehicle will be available in both two- and four-
wheel drive versions.  One of Hyundai's five international design studios, The
Hyundai California Design Studio, in Fountain Valley, Calif. has been heavily
involved in the design of the sport utility vehicle.  The vehicle will be
about the size of a Toyota RAV 4.
    Juhn also announced four other new vehicles Hyundai will be introducing in
the next several years in the U.S.
    In 1998 Hyundai will bring in an all-new replacement for the Hyundai
Sonata.  That vehicle will be completely new, including the two engines and
four transmissions that will be available for that vehicle.
    In addition to the new minivan, in 1999 Hyundai will introduce a new
Accent, the company's subcompact car, as well as a dramatic redesign of its
popular sporty coupe, the Tiburon.
    "Although the Tiburon was only introduced in 1997, we know that sports car
buyers' tastes change quickly, so we determined to keep customers happy by
keeping the Tiburon fresh and attractive," said Juhn.
    In the year 2000 Hyundai Motor America will also introduce a replacement
for its compact Elantra.

SOURCE  Hyundai Motor America