Hyundai to release the 2009 Sonata NFC in China
Early next year -our information reveal January launch date- Hyundai will introduce its new mid-size model to Chinese consumers. It will replace the current Sonata model, which has been on sale in China for more than two years and missed to meet Hyundais sales expectations.
Sources close to Hyundais China unit state, that its current design wasn’t appropriate for China market and their consumer tastes. Sonatas sales never really took off as expected and Hyundai realized it has to redesign it to meet local customers demands.
The company has pumped additional $50 million to redesign it’s exterior. As you can see at these images, that show a preproduction model, designers made some major improvements and at the end, Chinese version Sonata looks completely different than its American model.
Inside, Sonata has retained its shape as we know from American (or European) model but exterior received a slew of changes. You can clearly notice different front and rear fascia, with large chrome grille, head-lamps and fog-lights. At the back-end, there are new taillights and new bumper design.
When compared to American Sonata, it seems like the roof has also been redesigned to offer more head-room inside. Speaking of interior, there was some “new” equipment added, such as intelligent push-button start-up system, Infinity radio unit and JBL subwoofers, Chinese-language DVD navigation system and “shark” antenna.
This is already Hyundais second model designed especially for Chinese car market. Since Hyundai released its Chinese version of compact Elantra, its sales has jumped 21% and it has immediately became a hit among car shoppers in the worlds most populated country.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Whoa! Yeah baby, Yeah! This car will sell baby sell! Yes! This is a winner! While the other asian car companies are going “over stylish” and slightly avant garde Hyundai has moving forward with their current conservative theme and made a baby Genesis. Eventhough the rear is quite “Corolla-ish” this car is very pleasant to look at. Gone are the boxy corners of the previous Sonata. This is the car I fell in love with in 1988 and then again in 2002! I hope the 2010 U.S. version is this car… I want one! If not, fine I’ll do like the filthy rich do and import one any way if it’s not.
Touchdown, a home run! Slam dunk!
…OK. what does the interior look like?
November 13th, 2008 at 6:04 am
uhh wow.. holy crap.. this better come to the u.s…. patiently waiting to upgrade my 00 elantra
November 13th, 2008 at 9:05 am
It does look much more attractive than US Sonata. Unfortunately it won’t make it to the States, because Hyundai will develope it’s own version for US and that will reportedly sport far more attractive design than current one or even this Sonata NFC you see here.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:26 am
No way that looks really cheap. like something Toyota would make… I say its a huge step back from the gorgeous Genesis sedan and the awesome Genesis coupe. The current F/L Sonata looks so much better than this. Just my opinion~
November 13th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Judging only from pics, I prefer this Sonata style over US or European version. Many people say it looks like a Toyota, but unfortunately I don’t know what model they have in mind.
I really don’t really care for those boring Toyotas and also don’t know anything about their cars.
Why I prefer this design? Because it’s more distinctive than US version. It’s different, more modern with some nice edgy lines.
November 13th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Yeah, European and US Sonata looks much more better than this one. Chinese Sonata has weird asian style. And maybe the back of chinese Sonata is very similar to Toyota Corolla sedan.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
It does look very Asian. Well, at least we can hope this will speed up Sonata sales in China.
Developing cars specially for each market independently is a great strategy.
You can meet customers demands which really vary from continent to continent.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Well, what do ya want guys? Koreans are Asians too… just as Vietnese and Cambodians. I think this is a beautiful car The front reminds me of a cross between a Genesis and a 20004+ Nissan Altima. And the rear does look like a large Corolla like I said before. I realize that this car will look similar to those models because we are comparing similar products with clients that come from similar design philosophies. These are (from my perspective) “Eastern” car companies. It’s just that this is not your usual Japanese car like Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Susuki. and Isuzu. Now if this was a Ford/LM or GM car this would be out of … err character…a little odd. Like admin stated, It is a great strategy to vary the product between continents. Take a look at the Hyundai international site, then the Korean site, and then the US site to see what we mean.