After three years on the market, the well-established Hyundai i30 underwent a thorough facelift at Hyundai’s European plant in the Czech Republic and as a result, the new i30 incorporates a wide range of improvements in design, specification and competitiveness, including the company’s ground-breaking new customer support package, Five Year Triple Care.
The Hyundai i30’s new look was unveiled in Malta by Hyundai Motor Europe President Mr. Chang-Kyun Han who was in Malta as part of a series of visits in major Hyundai offices in Europe.
“The new i30 continues to be Hyundai’s best performer in Europe this year, with sales up 30% on 2009, a success which is closely being repeated by the i20 with a sales increase of 24% compared to the opening nine months of last year,” announced Francesca Mamo, Managing Director of Meridian Enterprises Ltd, importers and distributors of Hyundai in Malta.
The new i30 builds on the strengths of the current i30. Winner of car of the year awards in many countries, including Spain, Australia, and New Zealand, the i30’s update keeps it desirable for European drivers. The modern, distinctive styling of the original’s exterior blended elegance with solidity, and is one of the principal factors in its appeal. The new-look i30 does not stray far from the original design, and merely accentuates the car’s aesthetic qualities. A more prominent grille badge is positioned amid a new, chrome-effect garnish, and tweaks to the front bumper and lower spoiler combine with lowered side skirts to create a more refined body shape.
The competitiveness of the new i30 is further augmented by the comprehensive Five Year Triple Care offer which gives European consumers the ultimate peace of mind, and places the i30 at the top of its class for after sales care. The package provides the new i30 with a five year unlimited warranty, five years of roadside assistance, and vehicle health checks for five years.
Addressing the media, Mr Chang-Kyun Han announced recent figures for Hyundai in Europe. “In the first nine months of 2010 Hyundai sales grew by 4,3% in Europe, exceeding the performance of the general market, which fell by 3,7% compared to 2009. To date, Hyundai has sold 274.603 units this year, to register a market share of 2,6% according to industry body ACEA – on target to hit the company’s full-year objective of 2,75% share. While the September market dropped by 9,2%, Hyundai achieved sales of 33.571 units – just 3,8% down on the same month last year.”
Mr Chang-Kyun Han also referred to the introduction in Europe of the all-new ix20 following the car’s debut at the Paris Motor Show. “This new mini-MPV offers the best in its class for safety, environmental performance and customer care, with the Five Year Triple Care package giving five years’ unlimited warranty, five years of roadside assistance, and vehicle health checks for five years. The ix20 will be joined in showrooms by the new i10 city car, featuring the new family face of Hyundai vehicles as well as numerous styling and specification enhancements. All i-range models have received a comprehensive refresh during 2010,” added Mr Han.
“This year Hyundai has maintained the sales momentum achieved in 2009, and the arrival of new models in the fourth quarter will see us finish 2010 in a strong position. The arrival in Europe of the ix20 and new i10 signals the start of an intensive period of new product launches, during which we will introduce 10 new models and derivatives in a little over two years,” concluded Mr Han.