Hyundai Motor Begins to Sell 2005 Sonata in South Korea

Seoul April 4, 2005; Kim So-hyun writng for the Korea Hearald reported that Hyundai Motor Co. will begin domestic sales of its upgraded 2005 Sonata midsize automobile today.

The sedan, which will be sold for both commercial and private use, comes in five versions priced between 16.9 million and 25.4 million won.

Among them is the new 2.4 liter 'Elegance Special' model targeting women customers with sleeker design and more convenience features such as an electronic air-purifier.

Domestic carmakers are strengthening their costly large car lineups to rev up stagnant domestic sales. This month, Hyundai is slated to unveil its TG luxury sedan to replace the current XG while GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. plans to introduce GM Holden's Statesman.

The domestic sales of local automakers dropped 5.8 percent to 235,000 units in the three months to March while combined exports increased 35 percent to 980,000 units.

Hyundai Motor Co. begins domestic sale of the 2005 Sonata midsize sedan today. [Hyundai Motor Co.]

Renault Samsung Motors Co. was the only one that saw a growth in sales in the past three months, which is largely attributed to its release of a new luxury SM7 sedan last December.

"The 2005 Sonata has better competence in terms of reflecting customers' needs. For example, we have expanded the application of popular features such as stainless molding for the waistlines and MP3 audio system to lower-priced models," said Hyundai in a statement.

The premium-level specs newly applied to Hyundai's flagship sedan include a full-automated dual air-conditioning system which can be controlled separately at the driver and passenger seats, third-generation rain sensors and eco-friendly mirrors, according to the company.

The automaker said it also releases today the new 2.0 liter Sonata taxi with liquefied petroleum injection-type Theta engine that boasts higher fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness.

Hyundai had sold its self-developed Theta engine technology for midsize vehicles to DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi last year.

The Sonata version for taxi service has a manual transmission and is priced between 12 million and 15.7 million won.

Along with the taxi, Hyundai also unveils a model for the disabled.

Separately, Hyundai's affiliate Kia Motors Corp. said yesterday it plans to lend its Opirus large sedan to newly-weds to celebrate its launch of the new 3.8 liter model with Lambda engine.

Prospective brides and grooms are to apply for the wedding car service at www.kiaweddingcar.com from today.

Kia will pick 372 couples from April 16 to July 16 and from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30.

The new luxury Opirus fitted with the Lambda engine for larger displacements went on sale early last month.