Hyundai Motor introduces new sedans in China
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The new Beijing Hyundai Yuedong sedan / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Beijing-Hyundai has introduced its new Yuedong sedan, known as the Celesta in other markets, in China.
The Korean carmaker’s joint venture in China hosted an unveiling event Monday for the new Yuedong in the country’s six major cities -- Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xian, Zhengzhou and Hangzhou -- where about 800 took part including Chinese bureaucrats and dealers and Hyundai officials.
First introduced in the market in 2008, more than 1.3 million Yuedong sedans have since been sold to lead the Korean joint venture’s growth and expansion in China.
“Available exclusively in China, the all-new Yuedong is a family sedan that offers affordability with practicality of its sizable interior space,” a Beijing-Hyundai official said during the unveiling event. “The all-new Yuedong inherits its heritage as our best-selling model, and also attracts young motorists.”
The new sedan features a large-size cascading grille, while applying a parallel and ergonomic layout in its center fascia.
The model mounts a 1.6-liter Gamma MPI engine with six-speed transmission. An official said the new Yuedong has improved low-speed performance compared to previous versions while boasting superior fuel efficiency.
Adapting to the country’s street situations, the new Yuedong sedan is equipped with an upright shock absorber to provide a better ride on rough roads. It also features a double-sealing door patch to minimize noise and vibration from outside.
The new Yuedong sedan is also outfitted with various safety features including a tire pressure monitoring system, new airbags with extended coverage and electronic stability control.
Hyundai has been hardly affected by China’s boycotts of Korean brands in the aftermath of Seoul’s decision midway through last year to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery.
However, the carmaker has struggled in recent years and it has strived to find fresh growth momentum in the world’s largest automotive market in terms of annual sales.