Hyundai Genesis wins 2009 North American Car of the Year Award

In the late summer of 2008 Hyundai started selling their luxury Genesis Sedan. It was a huge risk when they entered the upscale/luxury automobile market and many people scoffed at their latest venture and thought they never had a chance. Fast forward to Janurary 2009. The Genesis has met or exceeded many sales forecasts even in this falling economy and the Genesis Sedan has won over many of the same critics. Hyundai's latest achievement? Winning the 2009 North American Car of the Year Award. What I like about the NACOTYA is that it is not a single magazine judged award but an award that is judged by 50 different journalists. In my opinion this takes out some of the biases that a magazine or individual may have towards a manufacture and judge an automobile more on its merits. Good job Hyundai!

Read Hyundai's press release below:

HYUNDAI GENESIS NAMED 2009 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR

HYUNDAI TAKES HOME ITS FIRST NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR HONOR

DETROIT, 01/11/2009 After months of expert test-drives, critical acclaim and independent awards, the Hyundai Genesis took top honors in the most exclusive award in North America when it was named 2009 North American Car of the Year.

A jury of 50 independent automotive journalists evaluated all the new cars introduced last year and chose the 2009 Hyundai Genesis as the best new model. The award was announced at a news conference at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“Genesis represents everything we’ve learned, so far, about engineering great automobiles – and we’re delighted that the judges have recognized the good work of our R&D teams,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America acting president and chief executive officer. “And we’re not stopping here…Genesis will share company in Hyundai showrooms this spring with its rear-wheel drive platform-mate, the Genesis Coupe.”

This year the jurors considered more than 50 new vehicles before selecting the top three cars and top three trucks. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Ford Flex were the other finalists.

The North American Car of the Year award is decided by a jury of 50 independent, full-time automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. This is the 16th year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European “Car of the Year.” They are administered by an organizing committee and are funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors judge the cars on a number of factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 780 dealerships nationwide.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Super Bowl XLIII Teaser Pics/Video

Hyundai Motor America released to us at the Genesis Forums a set of production stills/photos of the Super Bowl commercial that will air on Febuary 9th, 2009. Talk about mouth watering! It makes us wish the Super Bowl was being played tomorrow so we can see the actual commercials. But since we can't we decided to put together a musical compilation using the photo stills and some select in-car track video of Road Altantic Raceways. The music is of course by Yo-Yo Ma.

The video is after the photos.

Enjoy!

And here is our musical rendition of the Genesis Coupe Super Bowl Commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2jt4GYSYfE

Hyundai Genesis Coupe to be in Super Bowl Commercials

A large part of the success of the Genesis Sedan has to do with the great marketing job that Hyundai is doing. This includes having ads in last years Super Bowl. To keep pace with what Hyundai has done last year with the Genesis Sedan, Hyundai will again have commercial spots in the Super Bowl to help launch the new Genesis Coupe that will be released in the Spring of 2009. Read the Official press release below:

HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE TO DEBUT IN RACE-INSPIRED SUPER BOWL ADVERTISEMENT SPORTS CAR WILL DANCE TO MUSIC PERFORMED BY GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING CELLIST YO-YO MA PRECISION DRIVING PERFORMED BY WORLD CHAMPION RACER RHYS MILLEN

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 12/29/2008 Hyundai Motor America will air its first two television commercials for the new 2010 Genesis Coupe during Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, February 1, 2009. The 30-second commercials will position the 300+ horsepower sports coupe as a performance machine designed to capture the hearts of automotive enthusiasts.

The two spots share the same theme, “The Epic Lap,” but each offers a distinct perspective of Hyundai’s newest offering to highlight both its fluid design and track-worthy performance. Precision driving performed by Rhys Millen, a Pike’s Peak world record holder, Formula-D champion and professional driver, is choreographed to music performed by Yo-Yo Ma in the version airing in the first half of the game. A second musical talent will be introduced in the subsequent 30-second spot, which will feature re-edited precision driving footage matched to a completely distinct soundtrack.

“Genesis Coupe is Hyundai’s most dynamic performance car ever and it is the second-consecutive all-new model introduction from Hyundai to debut during the Super Bowl,” said Joel Ewanick, vice president of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “So many elements come together in these advertisements that showcase the Genesis Coupe’s design and performance that we know it will cast a halo over the entire brand.”

Just as the Genesis sedan set a new benchmark for the $35,000-$40,000 premium sedan segment, Genesis Coupe will provide sport coupe enthusiasts a fresh new set of performance alternatives. The Genesis Coupe offers a 30-mpg 2.0-liter model with a low-pressure intercooled four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 210 horsepower, and a 3.8-liter V6 Track model with 306 horsepower and massive Brembo brakes.

“The Epic Lap” Captures Genesis Coupe’s Performance

For the Super Bowl, Hyundai elected to create two commercials that put the Genesis Coupe in the only element where drivers can safely and legally explore the upper limits of the car’s awesome abilities: a race track.

As racecar driver Millen navigates the 2.54-mile, 12-turn world class road course at Road Atlanta in Northeast Georgia, you hear a beautiful solo of Bach’s “Cello Suite #3 in C, Gigue” performed by Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The artist will also be editing the film footage with editor Hank Corwin to make sure his interpretation of the “The Epic Lap” is brought to life.

“We have captured the spirit of Genesis Coupe in ‘The Epic Lap,’” said Ewanick. “Yo-Yo Ma’s interpretation is gracefully paired with Hank Corwin’s artistic editing and we have done a fantastic job of showing off the sculpted, modern design of the Genesis Coupe.”

Rhys Millen flogged a Genesis Coupe for three days during the filming process and the car never missed a beat. The only item that needed to be replaced on the Genesis Coupe was a set of tires.

“The Epic Lap” was created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. Both versions of the advertisement will air again during the Academy Awards® on February 22 on ABC and on other special events programming. Hyundai will also host an online contest asking consumers to edit their own version of “The Epic Lap.” Details will be announced after the Super Bowl.

HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE HIGHLIGHTS
· Hyundai’s first rear-wheel drive sports car
· 306-horsepower from enhanced 3.8-liter V6
· Standard 210-horsepower turbocharged, intercooled inline four cylinder
· Genesis Coupe arrives in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide.