Hyundai relaunches in PH with refreshed model lineup

MANILA: With the launch of several new and updated vehicles, Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) has made a full commitment. The Korean brand has been relaunched in the market with a new distributor for its lineup of passenger cars.

This represents a significant turning point for the automaker, which hopes to continue building its brand while also rekindling consumer interest in its array of products.

Lee Dong Wook, the organization's new president, is leading the charge for HMPH and will contribute his skills to make the company's vision a reality. His first order of business is to import a wide range of automobiles that will satisfy the requirements and preferences of every market sector — including those who intend to purchase electric vehicles in the future.

“Hyundai Motor Philippines has been working on rebuilding the brand to provide excellent customer experience through the launch of a broad range of new, innovative, and exciting product line-up in the Philippine market,” shared Lee.

As HMPH expands its dealership presence nationwide, newer car models will also be gracing their showroom floors.

The 2022 Hyundai Creta and 2022 Hyundai Staria are at the forefront of Hyundai’s fresh offerings for the Philippine market.

A premium B-segment SUV, the all-new Creta is based on Hyundai's latest "Sensuous Sportiness" design language. Its design is strong, aggressive, and sophisticated, which are now characteristics of a flagship SUV. The car has the most active safety systems in its segment and a roomy, comfortable interior.

Equipped with a 1.5-liter Smartstream engine and paired with an improved CVT transmission, these new technologies promise a smoother and fuel-efficient ride without compromising power output. Outside, the 2022 Hyundai Creta has LED DRL and rear combination lamps, sporty bumpers, and 17-inch alloy wheels, with a wheelbase of 2,610 millimeters and ground clearance of 200mm.

For those looking for VIP comfort, the 2022 Hyundai Staria meets the criteria. It features a bold and futuristic exterior design featuring a “Lounge” concept with its lower beltline and taller vehicle height, giving it a sense of openness. It provides passengers the freedom of space and the ability to comfortably position themselves to their liking.

The seven-seater Staria Premium variant comes with exclusive design elements, smart sliding doors, a smart power tailgate, dual sunroofs, and loads of active safety features. The 11-seater commuter variant and a three-seater cargo variant have twin swinging doors, both of which are perfect for those in need of reliable haulers for their businesses.

Hyundai’s most recognizable marques, the Tucson and Santa Fe, also got cosmetic and performance updates. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is the first SUV to realize a “Sensuous Sportiness” design aesthetic. It has a strong, commanding road presence compared to other SUVs thanks to its unique and sporty exterior featuring a Parametric Jewel Pattern Grille and Unique Side Character Lines. Also, the long wheelbase gives passengers extra legroom for a more comfortable ride.

Under the hood, the Tucson now has a shift-by-wire automatic transmission that, when paired with its great engine, delivers a fun driving experience.

When paired up against other brands’ SUV juggernauts, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is a tough contender to beat. The vehicle exudes a premium look inside and out thanks to design cues and features that cater to even the most fastidious car aficionados. The T-shaped DRL provides a unique light signature, while the new cascading grille and front bumper give a wide and powerful-looking front.

The new Santa Fe uses a new modular Gen 3 platform for optimized driving performance. It is also equipped with the Smartstream 2.2-liter diesel engine mated to an eight-speed wet DCT, a first in Hyundai’s SUVs.

For HMPH, significant initiatives are in the works to disrupt the market and draw customers to the brand. A statewide service campaign and warranty program that attempts to promote the brands enhanced after sales is a crucial part of this strategy.

By 2023, the HMPH plans to increase its dealer network from 38 to 45 to better serve more clients.

“Now that we are starting to introduce these models, we will ensure that the brand is accessible to all our customers through the launch of Hyundai Live in September. This is a two-way communication with our customers using the website as our online showroom that will provide information to meet our customers’ needs,” announces Lee.

To further boost its vehicle lineup, HMPH is poised to launch two new additions to its roster – the Palisade and Ioniq 5, with the latter being a full-fledged electric vehicle. This further underscores HMPH’s commitment to a diversified vehicle catalog, one that is not afraid of delivering innovation to the market.

Also in the process is HMPH’s big move from Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (AVID) to its rival car group Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI), owing to the latter’s shared vision of collaborating with key stakeholders for the benefit of the entire motoring industry.

“There are a lot of benefits in joining CAMPI and for us to join them at this opportune time would give us a huge boost. There is so much excitement and interest in what we will do next and we can’t wait to show everyone once again what Hyundai Motor is all about,” states Lee.

Photos from Roy Robles 

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