Hyundai adds 2 models to ride sales momentum in subcompact, midsize segments

Hyundai, which has seen its U.S. sales rise twice as fast as the overall industry, is stocking U.S. dealers with two new cars designed to maintain that momentum in the subcompact and midsize luxury segments.

The 2012 Accent and Genesis, both of which are imported from South Korea, are reaching dealerships now. The Accent, which starts at $15,955 for a four-door GLS, and $16,555 for a five-door hatchback, will be the freshest model in a segment where Ford's Fiesta has gained significant traction. Its competitors include the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.

John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motors America, boasted that every version of the Accent will achieve 40 m.p.g. on the highway, while most competing subcompacts can reach that level only with a specialized engine package.

Accent is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. A direct injection fuel system helps distribute gasoline more efficiently to the engine. Buyers can choose between six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

The new Genesis sedan is offered with a 3.8-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8 or a 5.0-liter V8. The engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The V6 version starts at about $35,000. The 5.0-liter V8 Genesis starts at $47,350 and can range higher.

This fall, Hyundai will launch the Veloster, a sporty coupe powered by the same 1.6-liter engine as in the Accent.

Hyundai has benefited from American consumers' reawakened interest in fuel economy. Krafcik said the new cars Hyundai sold in June averaged 35.7 m.p.g.

"We're already above the government's 2016 standard (35.5 m.p.g.)," Krafcik said. "We're confident we can get our average above 50 m.p.g. by 2025."

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., has challenged an Obama administration preliminary 2025 standard of 56.2 m.p.g. as unreasonable because it could add thousands of dollars to the price of future models and cost jobs at factories now making larger vehicles that might have to be discontinued to comply with that standard.

Though the two new models are imported from South Korea, Hyundai's assembly plant in Montgomery, Ala., is running at full production to keep up with demand for the Elantra and Sonata models. Krafcik said the Alabama factory has expanded its potential annual output from 300,000 to 330,000 cars, partially through overtime and tweaking the assembly process.

Hyundai's Santa Fe SUV is built at the West Point, Ga., plant operated with its sister company Kia Motors America.

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