2011 Hyundai Elantra car production shift
Production of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra compact car set to move to the USA!
Hyundai is moving production of Santa Fe SUV to Kia’s manufacturing plant in Georgia. Replacing the popular Hyundai mid-size SUV will be the all-new Hyundai Elantra compact sedan, which production is scheduled to commence in April 2011.
Speculation over Santa Fe’s production shift has brewed for months. Just recently, it was reported by The Chosun Ilbo that the automaker has been considering to shift production of next-generation 2012 Santa Fe to Kia plant in West Point, Georgia and replace it by new compact car.
According to a Korean publication, Hyundai plans to shift production to United States to save on shipping costs. Cutting shipping costs, Hyundai believes, will make production of the 2011 Elantra more cost effective and thereby boost production efficiency and product quality.
Ever since these rumours hit the web, it was speculated that the 2011 Kia Optima will take the place of the Santa Fe in the Alabama plant, alongside its sedan look-alike, the Sonata.
A few words on new Hyundai Elantra…
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra car made its official worldwide unveiling at the Busan Auto Show earlier this month and is expected to be an important part of Hyundai’s U.S. lineup. The 2011 Elantra model sports attractive design DNA, called “fluidic sculpture” and a plethora of state-of-the-art powertrain technologies, including the all-new 6-speed automatic gearbox and new direct-injection four-cylinder engine that is expected to offer strong performance, as well as improved fuel efficiency when compared to rivals.
New Hyundai Elantra car is expected to be a strong seller, just like it big brother, the 2011 Sonata sedan, which has now outsold the Ford Fusion for two months. Hyundai’s monthly sales report revealsthat Sonata sales increased more than 50 percent in both March and April.
Those sales numbers will probably get even better when the South Korean automaker brings two new Sonata iterations to the market. These include Sonata turbo and Sonata hybrid car.
May 14th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Hyundai desperately needs a new plant because I believe Sonata alone is a handful for Montgomery plant. I really think Hyundai can sell 300k sonatas by next year. turbo/hybrid will come out soon, and there is a spy shot of coupe.
sonata
sonata turbo
sonata hybrid
sonata coupe
300k isn’t a reach!
and I predict hyundai will double the Elantra sale. just look at that thing! it’s ready to be a big time player in the compact market. I think Elantra/elantra touring will sell near 200k a year.
dear hyundai, please build a new plant. and ready to take over the U.S market.
May 15th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Anybody have any idea when the 2011 will go on sale in North America? By September 2010?
May 15th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Anybody have any idea when the 2011 Elantra will go on sale in North America? By September 2010?
May 16th, 2010 at 7:15 am
It should go on sale late next year. By late summer, early fall. This year they have Tucson, Sonata, Eqqus. Next year should be Accent, Santa Fe, Elantra, and that new compact coupe whatever they call it. This will complete their 24/7 Initiative. Im pretty sure they will build a new plant within a couple years. Theres no way they can keep up to pace at the rate hyundais been selling with only 1 plant here.
May 16th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Steve, Azera and Veracruz are part of the orginal 7. Since they say the Veloster is part of the original 7, then they have to badge it as some type of Accent or Elantra.
Original 7:
Accent
Elantra
Sonata
Tuscon
Azera
Santa Fe
Veracruz
May 16th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Anything else is Extra. Equus and Genesis arent 24/7 Cars as they have a different cycle. Equus is a 10 year car fromn what I understand. If History were to repeat itself the Equus would get a ton of refreshes, and then be replaced in 2020.
May 16th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
I see the Veloster as this Accent or Elantra GTI. Those cars do need a GTI car like that. As we have moved upmarket, brands like VW have those hot/warm hatches, and since we have Equus V. Phaeton, and Sonata V. CC we need a small car to take on those GTIs.
I really do wish they badge it as Accent or Elantra Something. It could bring in a lot of people to see it and then most would say, “Well its not for me, but I like this Accent 5 door/Sedan, I like this Elantra Hatch/Sedam. So Ill buy that instead.”
May 16th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Smoke does the current 165 hp 2.0 I4 in the Sonata sold in Korea have GDI?
May 16th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
IT SEEMS TO ME THE VELOSTER OR WHATEVER THE NAME WILL BE MORE OF AN ELANTRA SIZED VEHICLE, THE SPY PHOTOS OF IT SO FAR SEEM TO BIG TO BE AN ACCENT, AND THE 5 LUG RIMS ALSO SUGGEST THAT COMPARED TO 4 LUG RIMS ON THE NEW ACCENT! ANYWAYS BOTH OF THESE NEW VEHICLES ARE WORTH BEIN EXCITED BOUT, THE ELANTRA LOOKS STELLER!
May 16th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Hyundai is not going to badge the Veloster as am Accent or Elantra variant. They’vemade it clear that it’s an original stand-alone product meant to fill the gap that Tiburon left.
I don’t belive it’s part of the 24/7 plan either, but is should debut late next year in America as a 2012 model unless plans change.
May 16th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
As for the all new Elantra, it was hinted during a live chat with CEO John K that we may see other form factors such as a 5- door (Touring) and 3-door “hot hatch”.
May 16th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Perhapes even an Elantra Coupe like the Forte Koup.
May 16th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
a new plant in USA yes it is a good idea but it will take 4 or 5 years maybe more to put it in prod if they decide tomoorow morning to do it!
May 16th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
I THINK AN ELANTRA COUPE WOULD BE AWESOME BUT IF THEY DO HYUNDAI WILL HAVE ALOTTA COUPES IN THEIR LINEUP! VELOSTER, GENESIS COUPE, SONATA COUPE, AND A POSSIBLE ELANTRA COUPE, DONT GET ME WRONG I LUV COUPES BUT YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE PRICE OVERLAP ON SOME OF THESE!
May 16th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
HyundaiSmoke, Wow you really think you know everything. They just refreshed the Azera as a 2011 model so no there wont be a new model next year. At least a year and half at most til the next gen Azera comes out. Just like they did with the Sonata, the refresh came out in 2008 as a 2009 model and now 2010 they sell the 2011 model. So your arguement there is not valid. As for the Veracruz they didn’t even have a refresh yet so there will be no new model next year either. It barely came out in 2007 no way they will make a next gen so early.
Plus hyundai already said they will release 3 all new vehicles this year and 4 planned for next year. Thats makes 7.
May 16th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Oh just to prove my point. go check out hyundaimedialive.com in there is a presentation on their plan to introduce new cars. In the 2011 hyundai sonata webcast 2-18-10. Go to chapter 2 at about 12:22 it shows their plan for the 24/7 cars coming out.
2010: Tucson, Sonata, Equus
2011: Accent, Elantra, Sporty coupe, Santa Fe
HyundaiSmoke, next time you want to assume things be a little more informed and do some research. For someone who claim to be a hyundai fan you didnt get this one. Thats why I always think you exaggerate information. You should really stop thinking your some hyundai know it all.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
I stand corrected on the Veloster not being part of teh 24/7 plans- I was wrong. As steve points out above, the “sporty coupe” mentioned is in fact the Veloster.
May 17th, 2010 at 12:36 am
Steve I wouldnt say such things for my own health you know. Maybe Im going on old information but from what I understood that was the plan before.
Since it is that plan with Equus as part of 24/7 2.0 Why would they wait such a long time to replace Azera? It was an outdated product from day one, and they are making it a 6 year car? Why? Before you argue, a 2.7 V6 with an anemic 197 HP that includes the garbage MPG Azera has is outdated.
Why make a Sonata with 35 MPG, and then have a B-Segment sports car like Veloster with 40 MPG. The Gap between D and B segment MPG is not wide enough. The Gap should be 10 MPG. It doesnt make sense either that 1.6 Gamma gets 40 MPG in a Veloster with GDI, while 1.6 Gamma that uses an antiquated 4 speed Auto box gets 40 MPG US (48 MPG EU) Without GDI in 1.6 i20s. New Verna without GDI in China gets the same 40 MPG or 5.8L/100KM with the same antiquated (Will get Laughed at by US auto Journalists if they bring that crap here) 4 speed Auto Box as the i20. Hey Im being real a 4 speed box in Current Gen Accent already gets laughed at by journalists (THE JOKES STARTED 3 YEARS AGO), so a 4 Speed Auto in Next Gen Accent would make Hyundai into an absolute joke. Who’s going to take Genesis seriously, when they still put 4 Speed Autos in Accents? Im thinking about the educated buyer here.
Like Big brother Sonata I would expect a 10% Gain from GDI in MPG. That puts it to 44 MPG. With a 6 Speed theres a chance that you can get even better. Its not like Hyundai cant do it either, considering Korean Spec Elantra has a 6 speed mated to a 1.6 GDI.
May 17th, 2010 at 1:00 am
I stand corrected, according to Hyundai Germany 1.6 Gamma with 4 Speed Auto Box gets 5.4L/100KM or 43.56 MPG Hwy US and 8.4L/100KM or 28 MPG City in 5 door i20s.
We are Americans we DEMAND just as good or better in Accent.
May 17th, 2010 at 1:06 am
and any other B-Segment including Veloster Hyundai puts on the street here.
May 17th, 2010 at 1:26 am
Oh No, considering our history with Korea we as Americans Demand to have the best stuff from Korea.
Not to sound harsh, but its not like European Troops protect Korea you know. The trade war rumors, and the troop withdrawl from Korea Rumors should give incentive for the Koreans to just provide the best stuff money can buy in the industry to America as a good will token to make Americans forget about troops or trade wars.
Hyundai is not going to treat us Americans like Ford Motor Company and give the Europeans the best stuff, and then send Rental Car quality Cars to America. Accents with 4 Speed Auto Boxes=Rental car quality cars. If they do that they will FAIL here, and learn that lesson the hard way like FoMoCo. Americans want the best we demand to have the best so put it in the cars.
If you can do it in Sonata, then it needs to be done in the small cars too. Its just that simple. Im not asking for Hyundai to part the red sea, Im just demanding them to give us technology they are capable of providing.
May 17th, 2010 at 1:45 am
Plus everybody else is putting 5 speed Auto trannies AT THE MINIMUM in B Segment small cars for 2011-2012. The Accent would not just be a laughing stock without a substantial transmission, it would stick out like a sore thumb on the brand without one. The Accent would be refered to as the last B Segment car in the industry to get rid of the 4 speed Auto.
It would get treated like anitquated cars like Mercury Grand Marquis, and Ford Police Interceptor/Crown Victoria, etc… for having antiquated equippment.
This Ford Fiesta thing in America is serious. With 140 HP GDi and 6 speed Auto Transmission, near mid 40s MPG Accent would be THE LEADER, and kick ass.
Anything less people will say, “Well Accent has 140 HP unlike Fiesta’s 118 HP, but the Fiesta has a shifttronic and the Accent ONLY has a 4 speed so Im buying Fiesta becuase it seems like Hyundai is up to its old tricks again.”
May 17th, 2010 at 2:10 am
Wow HyundaiSmoke now i know what kind of idiot you are. I already prove my point as to what 7 models are coming out in the 24/7 plan and you still go on dreaming about a new Azera next year. Whatever its pointless to argue with retards. At least someone knew he was wrong about the sporty coupe and admit my findings were correct thanks JP.
You really can’t stand to be wrong huh. Thats why you add all this jibberish. Talking about engine size, mpg, and other nonsense. Then you go and correct yourself but when other people try to do it, you won’t admit your wrong. You really are a shame to hyundai.
This 24/7 plan is intended for US, so the Azera never had a 2.7 V6 to begin with in the US market. It always had the 3.3 V6 or the 3.8 V6. You need to get your facts straight and not try to confuse people with specs out of the US. We as comsumers care about specs for US models.
May 17th, 2010 at 5:54 am
Hyundai will take over the world’s automobile market, together with its sister company, Kia…
Marvellous indeed… This will be my next car…
May 17th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Lmao, Relax Steve its just a car man. Yeah I made a big silly miscaluclated mistake. Big deal. I havent been following the Azera especially after this last half assed refresh. I do hope that this Next Azera will be sweet, becuase they pushed it back a year.
May 17th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Darius,
No, the 2.0L base KDM Sonata doesn’t have GDI.
May 17th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Steve, your just like with the Sonata argument isn’t valid. The Sonata went three year (’06-’08), then had a refresh. The Azera’s already gone five model years (’06-’10) without a refresh. Also, it hasn’t always had the 3.3; that was introduced for the ’07 MY.
May 17th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Next Azera will be out in S Korea next year- I’m sure you guys havecall seen the spyshots. CEO John K confirmed that Hyundai USA will bring it over for another run- will more aggressive styling and performance. It may not be part of the 24/7 plan but it wouldn’t surprise me if they launched it late 2011 for our market. Otherwise look for it Q1 2012.
May 17th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Derrick G are you stupid too. I made my point in saying when a car has a refresh stage there wont be a new model for at least a year an a half or more. I never said a car had to have a refresh every three years. Of couse i can see why they didn’t refresh the Azera for so long. Its a small volume selling car why would they waste money on a refresh so early.
And yes i did know the first year didnt have a 3.3 V6 i should have stated that but at least im smart enough to know they never had a 2.7 V6.
Whether or not they release the new Azera in Korean market it wouldnt count cause 24/7 plan is for America only.
May 17th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Steve are you ok man.
Derrick is right. I know I stopped truly following Azera after a while, but like I said before I wouldnt have said those thing sabout Azera for my own health. When Azera First Came out it did offer the 2.7 V6 from what I remember.
You maybe be more of a fanatic than I am, becuase I dont make it a habit to follow 300 a month cars.
May 17th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
HyundaiSmoke, Im doing great thanks for asking.
On a serious note now im annoyed by the fact that you keep thinking the Azera had a 2.7 V6, go do some reseach. I don’t follow the Azera and never did but I do know what engines it had, i dont assume things like you do.
You don’t have to be a fanatic to know facts.
Lets hope you don’t post these same comments on other websites like you always do. Cause then car enthusiast will realize what kind of idiots hyundai customers are base on ur comments alone.
May 18th, 2010 at 1:21 am
I read with interest the thread going back and forth with regard to the Azera. There is truth that the Azera did not come with 2.7 liter engine, at least not here in the U.S. But KDM version and for other overseas market it did.
http://automiddleeast.com/2010-hyundai-azera/
Accordingly, Hyundai is readying the all new skin deep from ground up Azera, (sharing mechanicals with its cousin, Cadenza)to be smooth, almost tomb like, quiet riding ES fighter.
The front wheel driven car will reportedly have rear bumper sensor, auto headlamp, auto sensor w/camera, semi reclining rear seat, rear power, folding side view mirror, with LED markers, rear window sunshade, all new 3.5 liter engine, top line 6 spd auto, auto a/c, heated steering, auto wipers, rear LED tail lights,. (obviously some features may not make it over to U.S. DM)
For U.S. market, I would like to see the auto wipers, soft touch dash, rear LED tail lights, head steering, folding side view mirrors, with LED markers/aka/turn signals, rear sun shade and rear backup sensors and auto a/c.
May 19th, 2010 at 12:46 am
I hope Azera gets 3.3 GDi. Hyundai says that provides World’s Best Mileage for that kind of displacement.
October 20th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Does anyone have an updated timetable as to when the new 2011 Elantra will hit the U.S. market?
Any insight is appreciated.
October 22nd, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Here’s an article about the release date of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra: http://www.hyundai-blog.com/index.php/2010/08/01/2011-hyundai-elantra-release-date/
March 16th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
So, as of today, 3/16/11, when will the 2011 Hyundai Elantra be available to the public?