78th Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai, Kia show off new eco-friendly models HED5 and i-mode i10 at motor show

The 78th International Geneva Motor Show, held from March 6-16 in Geneva, Switzerland, showed off a variety of new sedans and SUVs including the latest nature-friendly car models, a further step up from eco-friendly concept cars.
The global auto firms displayed their brand new futuristic car models powered by such fuels as hydrogen, electric batteries, alcohol extracted from corn and sugar beets and cars with substantially reduced exhaust emissions.
The new car models included those that can be driven in water and wiper-less cars that can be driven during the rain without having to use windshield wipers.
Korean automakers, Hyundai Motor and its sister Kia Motors, showed off their new car models, the HED-5 a concept car by Hyundai Motor and the AM cross-over small car model, at their booths. Hyundai Motor's HEC concept model is a six-seater to suit European customers preference for more room in passenger cars with exhaust emissions 29 percent lower than that of comparable models from other auto makers. Others car models displayed by Hyundai Motor included the eco-friendly i10Blue, 110Blue CNG (compressed natural gas), and the 130 Blue model in its i-Blue series of sedan models.
Kia Motors displayed its new small crossover car model code-named AM, as well as a new hybrid car model.
Both Korean automakers are targeting the European car market with their small car models, i-series cars and 'Soul'concept car models. Kia Motors plans to produce its new car models from its yet-to-be-completed plant in Slovakia, which is not far from Hyundai Motor's plant in the Czech Republic, said Vice Chairman Kim Dong-jin of Hyundai Automotive Group. The vice chairman, meeting with Korean reporters at the motor show, said Hyundai displayed the i10 car model in Geneva and will, at the end of this year, produce the i20 sedan, which is aimed to suit the tastes of European car owners.
He said the company will introduce the Sonata Transform model and the Veracruz SUV this year, aimed at the upper-level car market in the United States to boost their image to American car owners.
Kim said if the environment-friendly concept model i-mode introduced at the Geneva show becomes a popular model, the company plans to mass-produce it. Kim said Hyundai Motor would entertain the idea of exchanging the production facilities at its Czech plant when it is completed early next year with Kia's car plant in Slovakia.
In the meantime, President Ahn Kun-hee of Hyundai Motor Europe Inc. said the company will be able to sell some 370,000 cars this year in Europe thanks to the popularity of i10 and Sonata Transform models, among the new models to be introduced in Europe this year, an increase of some 50,000 units from last year. He said when the company's Czech plant is completed next year, European sales in 2009 could reach as high as 500,000 units. He said the European subsidiary has been checking on its 2,600 dealers across the region in an effort to expand sales.
Kia Motors, too, has been stepping up its marketing efforts in Europe and unveiled its 'Soul'concept car model at the Geneva show as a prelude to the production and marketing of the new car model in Europe in the second half of this year.
In the meantime, Honda's FCX Clarity powered by hydrogen made its debut at the show. The car only emits water vapor, no exhaust fumes. The new car will be sold in the United States beginning this summer and in Japan in the fall. Volkswagen introduced the 'TDI Hybrid'model whose TDI engine is reinforced with an electric motor, giving it a fuel efficiency of 29.4 km per liter of gasoline and reduced emissions of CO2 compared to other car models. GM Saab's 'bio-power'concept car is powered by bio-ethanol (E85) with a four-cylinder bio-power turbo engine with a maximum power output of 300 horsepower, more powerful than average mid-sized sedans. Linspeed of Switzerland introduced its sQuba car model, which can be driven in 10 meters of water, thus earning the nickname of 'ubmarine car.'Officials of the carmaker said it's a product of their CEO's dream of producing such a car after viewing a James Bond film some three decades ago. nw

Hyundai Motor unveils its environmental-friendly concept car, i-Mode during the 78th International Geneva Motor Show held in Geneva.