What`s in store for next year

Putting the tumultuous 2009 behind them, local and foreign carmakers are readying a batch of new and upgraded vehicles for 2010.

From Hyundai Kia Automotive Group`s two carmakers, five new models are in store for next year.

During the first half of next year, Kia Motors Corp. will be replacing the sport utility vehicle Sportage and the mid-sized sedan Lotze.

The Sportage`s replacement, currently known by the project name SL, will be launched around March. The car, which may or may not keep the Sportage name alive, will be fitted with the R-engine used in the Sorento R and six-speed automatic transmission.

The vehicle that will be replacing the Lotze, known for now as the TF, will come with the Theta II engine and six-speed transmission. The vehicle, the first full-change model for Kia`s mid-sized offering, is due for local launch around May.

Hyundai Motor Co., which revamped the perennial bestseller Sonata this year, will continue upgrading and updating some of its most popular vehicles next year.

The first new offering from Hyundai will be the follow-up model for the compact car Avante. The car, currently known by its project name MD, is scheduled for launch in August.



Other offerings from Hyundai will be projects RB and HG. The RB will replace the subcompact Verna at the end of next year.

Project HG, which will also be launched near the end of 2010, will give birth to a large sedan built on the company`s new platform that will push out the Grandeur.

Aside from Hyundai and Kia, GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co. and Renault Samsung Motors Co. each has one new vehicle in store for next year.

Of the two, Renault Samsung`s new car, the new SM5, will hit the market first in January. The new SM5, the third generation of vehicles to bear the name, comes with an upgraded 2-liter gasoline engine and the Xtronic continuously variable transmission starts at about 20 million won ($17,000) and goes up to the 26 million won range.

GM Daewoo`s new car will be a large sedan that will be launched here during the second half of next year.



Imports

With 40 new models and facelifts scheduled for release next year, 2010 will be a busy year in the imported car market.

Of the 23 brands marketed by members of the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, 20 brands will see new or upgraded models added to their lineup in the coming year. The exceptions are Honda Maybach and Toyota, the head of whose local operations made it clear that the company has no plans to expand its four-vehicle Korean lineup in the near future at the time of the brand`s launch here in October.

With five vehicles - two facelifts and three new models - planned for 2010, Volvo`s local lineup will see the largest change.

Among the rest, the German carmakers Audi and BMW will each be bringing four new models to the country.

Audi`s additions will be the A5 cabriolet 2.0T, A8 NWB, R8 Spider 5.2 and the R8 Spider cabriolet.

The compact sports utility vehicle X1 will make its local debut in March, and BMW Korea will follow with the new 5 Series vehicles and the 5 Series Gran Turismo vehicles during the second quarter.

The second quarter of the year will also see the introduction of BMW`s hybrid electric vehicles - X6 and 7 Series vehicles - to Korea.

In addition, BMW Korea will add two vehicles to its Mini lineup next year.

The German luxury specialist Mercedes Benz will be adding the E 350 Cabriolet and the SLS 63 AMG to its local lineup. The launch date of the two vehicles has not yet been set.

From Japanese brands the local market will receive six new vehicles including the new Nissan Altima and the Lexus LS600hL.

The six U.S. brands operating in Korea - Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ford, Lincoln and Cadillac - will add six new vehicles and three facelifts next year including the Ford Fusion 2.5 Hybrid and the Cadillac CTS Coupe.

(cheesuk@heraldm.com)



By Choi He-suk