Hyundai Celebrates Grand Opening of New South Central Regional Office

Hyundai's Newest Regional Office Will Serve 12 States and 126 Dealers

COPPELL, Texas, May 6 -- Bob Cosmai, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Motor America, and elected officials including Coppell Mayor, Douglass Stover, today celebrated the grand opening of Hyundai's new South Central Regional Sales, Service and Service Training office.

Hyundai sales have grown by 364 percent in the U.S. since 1998, fueling the need for a fifth sales region. Hyundai's first new regional office in 16 years will support 126 dealers in 12 states including Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama.

Hyundai leased the 30,300 square-foot office from RREEF who invested more than $1 million to renovate the space. The South Central Region employs 40 people and created 28 new jobs. The office includes full service training facilities.

"This expansion reaffirms our commitment to quality service," said Cosmai. "As Hyundai's sales continue to rise, and our vehicle line up grows, this new regional office will provide improved service to Hyundai customers and dealers throughout the South and Southwest."

The new regional office is located at 1421 South Beltline Road in Coppell, Texas, approximately six miles from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

"We are pleased that Hyundai Motor America has expanded operations in our city," said Douglass Stover, mayor of Coppell, Texas. "We congratulate the company on its grand opening and wish it continued success."

As the state of Alabama is part of the new region, the office will be working closely with Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA), Hyundai's new billion-dollar plant in Montgomery. The 2-million square-foot manufacturing plant marked the official start of production in April with its first 2006 Sonata. HMMA also will produce the next-generation Santa Fe starting next year.

At the grand opening, guests enjoyed a preview of the 2006 Sonata. The 2006 Hyundai Sonata is an all-new vehicle featuring refined and sophisticated styling, all-new powertrains and class-leading standard safety features.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 650 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.