Meridian Enterprises, importers and distributors of Hyundai in Malta, last Friday launched the first three new models of 2012 – the Hyundai Veloster, winner of the ‘Good Design Award 2011’, the Hyundai Elantra, which has just been awarded the ‘Autobest 2012 Award’ as the best buy choice in 15 European countries, and the Hyundai i40.
The Veloster is in the running to be acclaimed 'The Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2011
The launch of the new models at Hyundai’s showroom in Valley Road Birkirkara, was addressed by Francesca Mamo, managing director of Meridian Enterprises who said the new models represent the brand slogan ‘New Thinking, New Possibilities’, which encompasses Hyundai’s new brand positioning.
“This slogan,” explained Ms Mamo, “conveys Hyundai’s objective and new business mission, which seeks to offer customers ‘modern premium’ and experiences beyond expectations. It also captures the spirit of change Hyundai is undergoing, its evolution as well as the dramatic growth in all areas of Hyundai business at an international level.”
Referring to Hyundai’s sales growth figures, Ms Mamo said that “in 2011, Hyundai Europe sold 375,000 units, an increase of 11 per cent over 2010”. She said this was a remarkable achievement in an industry that had registered a significant decline, adding that few motor vehicle companies had achieved what Hyundai has managed to achieve last year.
Hyundai today offers at least one model in every segment, many of which are highly successful both in terms of sales achievement but also in terms of setting the bar.
Ms Mamo added: “While traditional premium is usually linked with high prices for the privileged few, Hyundai has revolutionised this in order to introduce a ‘modern premium’, based on the idea that high quality does not necessarily require a high price.”
Referring to the three new models, Ms Mamo said: “The New Hyundai i40 is a clear sign of how far Hyundai has come in recent years, a car that truly embodies the meaning of ‘modern premium’”.
Inspired by the Genus concept car, the i40 could be the most significant car launched by Hyundai for many years. It has been designed by Thomas Buerkle, the chief designer at Hyundai’s European Technical centre. The i40 was launched a couple of months ago in most European countries and has already achieved remarkable recognition and sales success.
The Hyundai Elantra has recently been awarded both the ‘North American Car of the Year 2012’ award and the ‘Autobest 2012 Award’. The latter award is given for the best buy choice for mainstream customers in 15 European and neighbouring countries representing a market of over 300 million people.
The Hyundai Veloster is another example of the embodiment of Hyundai’s ‘New Thinking, New Possibilities’ concept. The Veloster is a ground-breaking and innovative compact coupe with a unique 1 + 2 door configuration. The car has already won one of the world’s most prestigious global awards for new product design, the ‘Good Design Award 2011’, and is now in the running to be acclaimed ‘The Most Beautiful Car of The Year 2011’.”
Ms Mamo said Hyundai’s aim was to go beyond achieving consistent sales growth through the launch of new and award winning models: “Hyundai seeks to be a brand that is close to the customer and that offers the customer a second-to-none ownership experience and complete peace of mind throughout.”
This is the objective behind the Five Year Triple Care package that accompanies each new Hyundai model – five years unlimited warranty, five years of roadside assistance and five years of free vehicle health inspections.
Ms Mamo said the triple launch was an excellent way to start off 2012: “It is not often that a brand launches three new models in one day and we are enthusiastic to show them to the Maltese public throughout the Open Week.”
The Open Week will last until February 4 and visitors to the Meridian Enterprises showroom will have the chance of winning a €3,000 voucher to be spent on any Hyundai of their choice.