Hyundai Genesis Finalist for North American Car of the Year

Well the award nominations keep piling up for Hyundai and the new Genesis Sedan. This time the Hyundai Genesis has been nominated as a finalist for the North American Car of the Year (NACOTY). This is quite an accomplishment when you consider that Hyundai has NEVER in the 16 year history of the awards been nominated as a finalist for this award. In fact this is the first time for any Korean manufacture to be nominated. Even more impressive is the fact that it beat out some other fine automobiles such as the Nissan GT-R, Dodge Challenger, Jaguar XF and the BMW 1-Series.

Read the Hyundai Press Release and Discuss the nomination at the Hyundai Genesis Forums - NACOTY Thread

The other two finalists for this year's award:

Ford Flex
VW Jetti TDI

Good job Hyundai!

Hyundai goes Green at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show

If there is one thing Hyundai has learned is that you have to be willing to adapt in the automotive market. This means recognizing that oil supplies are not going to last forever and that people will demand more fuel efficient vehicles. A lesson that the domestic Big Three failed to learn which is costing them dearly now.

So at Hyundai's press conference they revealed some very exciting and interesting technologies that will make them a leader among manufactures when it comes to protecting the environment and providing one of the highest MPG averages. To read and discuss Hyundai's press releases visit the links below.

What was of particular interest to me was their new gas direct injection (GDI) engine. This 2.0l turbocharged engine will make 286 HP and still be able to provide 30 MPG! The engine is slated to be put into production and on it's way into Hyundai's lineup as soon as 2010.

Hyundai Blue Drive
Hyundai HED-5 "I-Mode" Concept
Hyundai showcases New Fuel Cell Technology
Hyundai initiates CO2 Offset Program
Hyundai 2008 LA Auto Show Pictures

2009 Motortrend Car of the Year (COTY)

Well the people who run Motortrend have decided to award the COTY to the Nissan GT-R. It has an MSRP of nearly $77,000. Is it a fast car? Yes. Is it a great handling car? Yes. Would you like to have one? Yes. Is it a good value? Not in my opinion. Try calling any of the Nissan dealers who carry the car and see if they will sell the car to you at MSRP. The dealers I have contacted regarding this car wanted about $30,000 OVER MSRP!! And Nissan does nothing about this price gouging. So while the GT-R can hang with the likes of the Z06 Corvette, Dodge Viper and almost any other supercar does it deserve COTY? Not when a majority of the people can't even afford to buy the car.

Some of the contenders on the list:

Acura TL
Acura TSX
Audio A4
BMW 135i
Honda Fit
Hyundai Genesis
Jaguar XF
Mazda 6
VW Passat CC
Nissan GT-R

See Motortrend's full article here:
2009 Motor Trend COTY

Hyundai at the 2008 SEMA Show

We recently completed a trip to the 2008 SEMA show and what a trip it was. We got tons of pics and vids of the Hyundai show cars and even got to interview Derek Joyce of Hyundai. To check out our complete coverage check out our SEMA forum:

SEMA Forum @ Genesisforums.org