Hyundai Motor unveils revamped Sonata at LA auto show

SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's largest automaker,
said Thursday it has unveiled a revamped version of its flagship mid-size Sonata
sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show, aiming to continue to make gains in the U.S.
market.
Hyundai plans to begin selling the sixth-generation Sonata, called the YF Sonata
in South Korea, in the U.S. from January next year, the company said in a
statement.
"While the global economic slump has changed the auto industry landscape and
shaken consumer confidence, Hyundai Motor is embracing the challenge as an
opportunity," said Yang Seung-seok, president of Hyundai's global sales division.

"The new Sonata will lead the mid-size segment in terms of quality, fuel economy
and design," Yang said in the statement.
The revamped Sonata, equipped with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine, will be sold
under the brand name of Sonata in the U.S. Pricing for the U.S. market was not
revealed.
Hyundai started selling the model in South Korea in September. The YF Sonata's
price for South Korean customers ranges from 21 million won (US$18,181) to 26
million won.
At the auto fair in Los Angeles, Hyundai also planned to introduce a redesigned
version of its Tucson crossover vehicle.
Last month, Hyundai's auto sales in the U.S. jumped 46 percent from a year ago to
28,045 units, marking the 11th consecutive monthly sales gain.
In the first 11 months of this year, Hyundai's U.S. sales rose 6.2 percent to
401,267 units.
(END)