Hyundai PH undergoes phase-change. New era ushered in with fresh model lineup, future plans

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August 18, 2022

Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) has officially gone all-in, launching a set of new and refreshed vehicles coinciding with the company’s relaunch and introduction of a new distributor for its passenger car offerings.

This marks a major turning point for the car company, who aims to continue strengthening the brand while also renewing customers’ enthusiasm in its lineup of offerings.

Leading the charge for HMPH is its new President, Lee Dong Wook, who will lend his expertise to help the company’s vision become reality. His first order of business is to bring in a diverse set of vehicles that will cater to the needs and wants of every segment in the market, including those who want to get their hands on electric vehicles down the line.

“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 Mr. Lee.

New offerings and refreshed models

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

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

The all-new Creta is a premium B-segment SUV that is based on Hyundai’s new “Sensuous Sportiness” design language. It has a strong, bold and an elegant design, which is now the hallmark of a flagship SUV. The vehicle has a spacious and comfortable cabin with the most number of active safety features in the segment. 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. For people on the go and loves adventure, the Creta features a 60:40 Seat split that provides versatile cargo space when needed. Outside, the Creta has LED DRL and Rear Combination lamp, sporty bumpers and 17-inch alloy wheels, with a wheelbase of 2610mm and ground clearance of 200mm.

For those looking for VIP comfort, the all-new Staria is the right vehicle for you. 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 7-seater premium variant comes with exclusive design elements, smart sliding doors, smart power tailgate, dual sunroofs, and loads of active safety features. The 11-seater commuter variant and a 3-seater cargo variant has 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 all-new Tucson is the first SUV to realize “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 new 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 afficionados. 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 Diesel engine mated to 8-speed wet DCT, a first in Hyundai’s SUVs

What’s next for Hyundai?

Major plans are in the works for HMPH to shake up the market and steer consumers’ attention to the brand. A key component of this drive is a nationwide service campaign and warranty program that aims to highlight the brand’s improved after sales. To better reach more customers, the company will be expanding its dealer network from 38 to 45 by 2023.

“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” added Mr. Lee.

Photos by Randolph de Leon and Hyundai Global

Err... Please, HMPH! Bring this cool and awesome Elantra N model in! :)

About the Author

Randolph de Leon
Randy is a person with disability (PWD), a partially-blinded person with only his left eye functioning. Since childhood, the automobile has always been his passion, and is able to express it through photography and most recently, through writing as well. Outside the motoring beat, Randy spends time manning the media aspect of his business which he co-founded with his sister/college classmate. It's called Dragonlight Wellness and Solutions, a multi-business venture centering on improving peoples' lives through earning.