This fall, the domestic car market is heating up as brands prepare to launch their flagship models, promising a significant boost in sales.
Hyundai is set to unveil the all-new 5th generation Santa Fe. Launched in 2000, the Santa Fe has been a mainstay for Hyundai, playing a crucial role in the company’s SUV lineup for over 20 years.
The new Santa Fe departs from its previous sleek design, adopting a more angular style that sets it apart from traditional urban SUV aesthetics, transforming into a robust off-road SUV. The Santa Fe is expected to make its market debut in the third quarter.
Kia is preparing for a busy fall with the most model releases, going head-to-head with its sibling, Hyundai. Starting with a facelifted Morning model, Kia plans to release updated versions of the Sorento and Carnival. Notably, the updated Carnival model will be the first to include a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid powertrain.
A Kia representative stated, “The 1.6 turbo hybrid powertrain used in the Carnival has a larger motor than the ones in the existing Sorento hybrid and K8 hybrid systems, enhancing its output.” Additionally, they are weighing the launch timing for an electric variant of the Ray.
KG Mobility is set to continue the Torres saga with the all-electric Torres EVX. This model boasts a range of over 500 km based on WLTP standards, and the company’s internal tests confirm a domestic range of around 420 km.
The pricing is expected to be in the upper 40 million to lower 50 million won range, with potential government subsidies in Seoul bringing the cost down to around 40 million won.
General Motors, which found success with its Trax crossover in the first half of the year, aims to continue that momentum in the second half with the updated Trailblazer model.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr