2011 ~ Hyundai of Greensburg

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

New Pennsylvania Law Requires Additional Practice for Teen Drivers

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 9:12 AM

This is great news for Pennsylvania drivers. Young drivers need the best preparation they can get, and this new law should help accomplish that.

India Anderson, 17, of Chartiers follows instructions from Kiva Huffman during her driver's exam at the PennDOT licensing center in Bridgeville.

Julie Enright said she spent at least 80 hours behind the wheel during the past six months as she learned to drive.

That well exceeds the 65 hours required under a teen driving law that takes effect today. Before today, teens had to have 50 hours of practice on the road. Now, in addition, state law requires 10 hours of driving time clocked at night, and five hours during bad weather.

Enright, 16, of Castle Shannon passed her driving test at the PennDOT licensing center in Bridgeville. She agrees with the state's rules.

"I think it's in everyone's best interest," she said.

The law, known as Act 81, limits to one the number of nonfamily passengers a teen driver can carry during the first six months after receiving a junior driver's license. After six months, teens can transport up to three passengers younger than 18 who are not immediate family members.

The law gives police the authority to make a traffic stop and cite a driver if anyone in the car who is younger than 18 is not wearing a seat belt.

Tamela Moore, 39, of Brighton Heights said she thinks the rules will help keep young people safe.

"You know how kids are -- they think they know everything, but they'll listen if someone else (other than a parent) tells them they shouldn't do something," she said.

She and her son Travis, 18, split the approximately $300 cost for him to take driving lessons through the Kennedy School of Driving in Kennedy.

"It helped him," Moore said. "I think (teens) need driving lessons."

The education courses, which include 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car training, are provided by school districts and private companies. Taking a driver education course is one requirement for a junior driver to get an adult license before age 18.

Jerry Mancini, owner of Kennedy School of Driving, said the stricter requirements give teens more guidance.

"It's an attempt to make things safer for students," he said.

A parent or another experienced driver is responsible for keeping track of the time a student driver has had behind the wheel. And a parent or guardian must sign a form in the presence of a notary, or the person giving the driving test, to certify the student has had the required practice time.

"We didn't keep detailed records, but I made sure he could drive in the neighborhood and at night," Gerald Sandidge, 56, of Squirrel Hill, said as his son Gavin, 18, prepared to taking his test in Bridgeville. "I want to feel comfortable that he can drive."

Hyundai makes Rhys Millen drift video in old headquarters

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 5:09 AM

I love that a Hyundai service technician (not a marketing rep) came up with this video. The slow motion burnout is the best part. Check it out!

Hyundai celebrated demolishing its U.S. headquarters in Fountain Valley by producing this video with race and stunt driver Rhys Millen and his Genesis Coupe drift car pulling off a heist in the abandoned buildings.

The automaker is spending $150 million building a new North American headquarters on the site of its current offices in Fountain Valley.

The project will take at least a year to build and generate about 1,500 construction jobs, Hyundai said.

It will double the space of the current headquarters and provide room to double the fast-growing auto company's corporate staff to about 1,400 employees, said John Krafcik, chief executive of Hyundai Motor America, the U.S. division of the South Korean automaker.

Krafcik said the new headquarters would have more than 400,000 square feet of office and garage space and be among the most energy-efficient buildings in the state.

Hyundai said one of its service technicians, Dustin Loranger, came up with the idea.

Amazing Hyundai Car Heist with Rhys Millen

Greensburg Auto Dealerships Donate $22,000 to Food Bank

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 7:17 AM

Each month, the Westmoreland County Food Bank helps more than 7,000 disadvantaged families by providing food to meal programs, soup kitchens, food pantries, emergency shelters and child care programs. This year, however, federal funding was cut by $92,000, which put the food bank in a tough spot. At Hyundai of Greensburg, we support the food bank’s cause, and we were happy to be able to help!

A combined donation of $22,100 from two Greensburg car dealerships means thousands of meals for area families in need.

"There's going to be a lot of people this Christmas who won't have to know the anguish of hunger," said Jennifer Miller, development director of the Westmoreland County Food Bank. "When community organizations come together and do something so amazing like this, it means a lot."

Gary Semanchek, general manager of Hyundai of Greensburg, and Toyota of Greensburg general manager Dan Owens presented two checks on Friday to Miller at Dino's Sports Lounge in Greensburg during a Food and Fund Drive being held by radio station 107.1 WHJB.

With a new philosophy at Hyundai, Semanchek said, community organizations will be seeing more good will from the dealership. Hyundai donated $10,600.

"We're taking portions of our profits every month and donating it back to the community," he said. The food bank is the first to benefit.

Toyota's Owens said he just wanted to help the community and people who have fallen on hard times. The dealership contributed $11,500.

"Things are a little tougher out there now," he said.

Any donation means a lot to the food bank, Miller said. Cuts to the program have been significant: This year federal funding has dropped from $100,000 to $8,000, and the food bank is receiving $33,000 less from the state, she said.

Monetary donations go far: For every dollar donated, the food bank can purchase $5 worth of food, Miller said. The most-needed items are the ones that are typically the most expensive, including peanut butter and cereal.

The food bank feeds 15,000 people monthly, and Miller said the car dealers' donations will help stock up and replenish funds.

Vanity Plates: The 411 on Those CRZE PL8S

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 5:02 AM

Want to make your own amazing vanity plate? Check out the article below, then use the vanity plate dictionary to put one together!

You see a vanity plate on the car ahead of you. Perhaps it's on a Ford Mustang, a Volkswagen New Beetle or a Mini Cooper— cars that just beg for vanity plates. You read it over and over, wracking your brain to decipher its meaning, wondering if you're missing a good joke.

It helps if you know "the code." Like the abbreviations and symbols used in e-mail and instant messaging ("BTW," "LOL," "TTYL"), there is a shorthand for vanity plates (also known as "personalized license plates" or "custom plates"). Fortunately, there are dictionaries that will tell you, for example, that "U4IC" means "euphoric," and "6S" means "success."

Dennis Cowhey, author of What Does That Mean? The Personal Stories Behind Vanity License Plates, calls himself the "world's greatest expert on vanity plate meanings." Cowhey traveled the U.S., stopping total strangers to hear their stories. He also distributed questionnaire cards and got about 850 cards back, many with full explanations.

The responses are a testimony to human creativity. It's not easy to invent a meaningful, one-of-a-kind label for your wheels within seven or eight letters and numbers.

"You wouldn't believe how clever the plates are," Cowhey said. "Some are touching, heart-rending, hysterically funny and everything in between. People wear their hearts on their sleeves."

Apparently so: Cowhey's personal favorite is a series of two plates, held by a married couple. His says, "TYED-UP"; hers says, "KEENKY2." The pair intentionally drives alongside each other as they commute each day to their family-owned business, taking great enjoyment from the shocked faces of pedestrians and other drivers.

On most days, it's not hard to find vanity plates that express the nature of the car or driver ("XCLR8TR"), occupation ("HV A SLCE," on the car of a pizzeria owner) and personal statements ("WAS HIS").

Many Edmunds.com readers have vanity plates as well. Burt and Jacquie Harwood of Washington bought their vanity plates with safety in mind. (Attention, parents!)

"Each time I provided a car for one of my children, the car had a vanity plate with their first name on it, front and back," said Burt. "Living in a small town, their driving habits were more easily reported to me, and they knew it."

Though Harwood's kids did get into a few scrapes, he's convinced that the vanity plates made a difference in their driving.

Reader Brian Bear's family likes to play on their last name. "I have two plates — 'SU BEAR U' and '4 BEARRS'," he said. "The 'SU BEAR U' one is on my '04 Subaru Forester XT (and my previous '00 Subaru Outback)," he said. "'4 BEARRS' is on our '02 Mazda MPV. We are a family of four, plus the last name. I've always had some sort of plate with the word 'BEAR' in it over the years." Even his parents and other relatives have vanity plates that incorporate the Bear name.

Wisconsin reader Robert Hammen chose his vanity plate in order to defend his car: "I own a 2004 Pontiac GTO, and got a lot of flak from traditional GTO owners who didn't think the car was worthy," he said. "So I got the plate, 'REAL GTO' just to rub it in."

"CNSRSHP" OR "FRESPCH"?

Unlike bumper stickers, which aren't issued by state governments, vanity plates are subject to significant legal controversy. Columnist Ken Paulson of The Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan foundation dedicated to first amendment rights, describes some of the legislative battles waged over the censorship of vanity plates. Many states, for example, ban vanity plates related to obscenity ("SHTHPNS"); hate speech ("ARYAN-1"); references to alcohol, tobacco or drugs ("VINO"); religion ("ROMANS5"); or the implication of violence ("GLOCKEM," which refers to Glock, a semiautomatic handgun manufacturer). Paradoxically, this last plate was stripped from the car of a Tennessee law enforcement officer.

Each state determines which vanity plates will pass muster. A California vanity plate request, for example, is thoroughly reviewed by several people with both foreign language and slang dictionaries. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has the right to refuse or recall any plate that may be considered "offensive to good taste and decency, which could be misleading, or conflict with any license plate series currently issued," according to the state's vehicle code.

What constitutes good taste and decency, however, is up to the screeners and open for speculation. What's more, once a plate is issued, anyone who finds a plate offensive for any reason can submit a written request to the DMV to have that plate rescinded. (The latest one to be recalled in California as a result of a complaint letter was "FDUBYA.")

The state's right and ability to censor vanity plates is vague territory. When the Cal Berkeley football team was knocked out of the running for the Rose Bowl (many say unjustly), fan Paul Lewis ordered a plate online which said "IH8 BCS" ("I hate the Bowl Championship Series"). The initial order was processed and accepted, but when Lewis went to pick up his plates, he was told by the DMW that he couldn't have them, because of the "H8."

Ironically, Lewis didn't intend to use the plates for his everyday driving.

"I was going to drive with them for a day, or save them for football season, but then eventually give them to Cal football," he said.

Lewis appealed in a letter to Sacramento, explaining that because the BCS wasn't a person, his plate shouldn't qualify as "hate speech," and that educational scholarships were lost as a result of Cal's contested elimination. He's still waiting to hear back. In the meantime, Lewis sold T-shirts featuring a mock-up of the plate — and donated all the profits to Cal Berkeley's athletics department.

REAL MONEY, REAL CRAZIES

Car-crazy California issued its first personalized plate in late 1970. As of July 2007, there are over 1.4 million such plates on California roads. During that time, the state has raised more than 1 billion dollars from vanity plate sales, according to the DMV. Nationwide, vanity plates can cost anywhere from $10 to $65 per year, depending on the state. California calls them "environmental plates," because it uses the revenue to fund programs that preserve and protect the environment, such as the purchase of land for preserves, studies of endangered species and public education.

The U.S. doesn't hold a monopoly on being plate-crazy, though. In February 2005, a Hong Kong man, wearing a mask to protect his identity, paid HK$7.1 million — then $910,000 — for a license plate which said, simply, "12." Why would anyone pay that much for a license plate? Because the number, when pronounced in Cantonese, sounds like "certainly easy."

But $910,000 wasn't even close to the highest price ever paid for a vanity plate in Hong Kong. In 1994, business magnate Albert Yeung paid HK$13 million (US$4 million) for the number nine, which sounds like "everlasting" in Cantonese. Yes, 4 million. Which makes one wonder: What's up with these guys?

One man is capitalizing on the plate craze without buying or selling a single plate. Richard Barnett has just launched Great Plate Exchange, an online forum where users can purchase or sell active vanity plates, similar to an eBay auction. Barnett gets a small fee for listing the plate, and a commission on the transaction. Once a deal is struck, he links the parties to the appropriate DMV to make the legal transfer. Although there are only a handful of plates on the site so far, the concept is one that could take off once enthusiasts discover it.

Collector Mania

Like other hobbyists, plate enthusiasts buy, sell and trade plates on eBay and any number of plate-specific sites, such as PL8S.com. This includes not only vanity plates, but rare plates, plates for a certain color or type of car, and plates from all 50 states. A member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) built an incredible Web site, "License Plates of the World", which illustrates plates from every corner of the planet, as well as special-issue military plates and U.N.-issued plates. ALPCA has just issued its own book, A Moving History — 50 Years of ALPCA, 100 Years of License Plates, to celebrate its golden anniversary.

One of Edmunds.com's own programmers, David Haber, developed CALPL8S to highlight his collection. He notes that, unlike some other hobbies, plate collecting appeals to both young and old.

"You see them all the time: kids play games, spot states on license plates on long trips and get little plates with their name on them for their bicycles," said Haber. "I've always been interested in plates, and about six years ago I discovered other collectors sold plates on eBay. Before then I had never considered they were something you could collect."

Haber's car sports a creative plate that includes a symbol of a hand, one of four symbols available for use in California. It reads, "G(hand)DALF," for Gandalf the wizard, of Lord of the Rings fame. Other available symbols are a star, a plus sign and a heart, leading to all sorts of imaginative combinations.

If you enjoy the challenge, you can find a way to express just about any opinion or passion in a vanity plate. The rest of the world will enjoy laughing at what you said — or puzzling over what you meant.

Can Hyundai rival Mercedes? In a Word, Yes

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 7:07 AM

Looking to buy a luxury car? Read this first.

If you're thinking about dropping big bucks on a luxury car — perhaps a Mercedes S-Class or Lexus LS — it might be worth your while to stop at a Hyundai dealer first.

Hyundai, the Korean brand known for cheap economy cars 10 years ago, is building some absolutely brilliant vehicles lately, including one that competes with Mercedes and Lexus in the full-blown luxury market.

It's called the Equus, and it's quite literally one of the best cars in the world.

Consider:

• It's the smoothest luxury car I've ever driven. It feels more supple than the S-Class and even slightly softer than the famously comfortable LS.
• Its heated and cooled driver's seat controls both the temperature and humidity of the seat surface. It has a built-in massage feature, too.
• It has a 608-watt sound system made by Lexicon, the same brand Rolls Royce uses in the $380,000 Phantom sedan.
• Instead of an ordinary printed owner's manual, it comes with an Apple iPad with a digital owner's manual loaded on it.
• If you opt for the Ultimate version, you get a back seat with luxury that rivals a private jet. You get a refrigerator, entertainment system, and a heated and cooled rear seat that reclines with leg support while giving you a back massage.

In fact, it's so filled with bells and whistles that it's hard to find any reason to pay more for a high-end German or Japanese luxury car.

Still, I've got to wonder how much the Equus suffers from Phaeton syndrome.

The Phaeton was a luxury car built by Volkswagen a few years ago that, like the Equus, was one of the best cars on Planet Earth and happened to be built by a bargain brand.

And it was a colossal flop.

Few cars in recent history have been as big a disappointment as the Phaeton. I distinctly remember driving a $100,000 Phaeton with a V-12 engine and thinking it would be a hit because it was better than the V-12 Mercedes for about 30 percent less money.

I was wrong. Eighteen months after launching the Phaeton, Volkswagen had only sold about 2,500 Phaetons compared to more than 31,000 Mercedes S-Classes. VW's wundercar was quickly axed because nobody bought it.

That makes sense. A lot of people buy luxury cars not just for the luxury features, but also for the luxury badge, which Volkswagen's Phaeton simply didn't have.

There are plenty of parallels with the Equus, Hyundai's wundercar, but it's also obvious that Hyundai learned a few lessons from VW's blunder.

For starters, the Equus is far less expensive than the failed Phaeton. A top-of-the-line Ultimate version costs $65,750, a pittance compared to the triple-digit price of the VW, and the Signature model is even more affordable at $58,000.

Hyundai is also taking steps to make the buying experience more spectacular. You get real white-glove treatment when you buy an Equus — including having drivers pick it up when it needs service, leaving you another Equus or a Genesis as a loaner in its place.

You can also schedule the time and location of your service calls on the Equus iPad app.

In short, it's a remarkable car that puts an exclamation point on Hyundai's equally remarkable turnaround.

Does it have enough prestige to overcome the Hyundai name? Only time will tell, but I definitely think it's worth testing a $58,000 Equus before buying a German or Japanese luxury car.

It just might be good enough to change your mind.

Hyundai Super Bowl ad puts spotlight on employees

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 11:26 AM

Looking forward to seeing the Hyundai Super Bowl ad this year! The workers in the shots aren’t paid actors – they’re actual Hyundai employees. The content of the commercial is confidential, but judging from a comment made by the Hyundai president that this year’s ads will be “more fun”, as well as the picture below (does it look to anyone else like they’re singing??), I’m guessing that this will be better than your average commercial!

Robby Persinger is a safety specialist at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Normally, he spends his time at work evaluating equipment and work processes for the automaker.

But Saturday, he was a star of sorts.

Persinger and a couple hundred of his co-workers have been part of a four-day process to make a 60-second Hyundai Super Bowl ad.

"Hollywood's come to Alabama," Persinger said Saturday morning while waiting for one of his seconds-long scenes to be filmed.

About 225 Hyundai employees were on hand Saturday for crowd scenes in the commercial, but Persinger was one of about 25 who were selected through an audition process to be in the forefront of a few scenes.

But Persinger isn't bragging about his acting career yet.

"You hope that you don't get cut out, or that it's not just the back of your head," he said. "But it's just a great experience to be a part of."

The content of the minute-long commercial is confidential.

Hyundai spokesman Robert Burns said it does not focus on the Sonatas or Elantras that are built there, but the Hyundai brand.

Shots were filmed all around the facility in south Montgomery. There are several paid actors in the spot, but Burns said he was insistent that local employees get a chance to participate, too.

"If the commercial involves a team member job, it has to be a team member in that role," he said. "That was my request. Why would you pay 200 actors when you have 2,000 team members?"

Yvette Shuford, a parts quality manager, said that actors wouldn't have been able to bring the same focus to the commercial that she and her co-workers can.

"We know how to build cars," she said. "We know the commitment and the intensity."

For human resource specialist Andretta Johnson, the commercial was an educational experience.

"I never would have imagined it took so many people to produce a one-minute commercial," she said during a lunch break Saturday.

The production crew is made up of about 70 people, including director Jake Scott. Scott was nominated for a Grammy for R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" video. He won an Emmy for a Nike commercial he directed.

Scott said that he also wanted the Hyundai workers in the commercial.

"You might not get dramatic skill, but you get authenticity," he said. Though they don't have acting experience, "There is an element of charm that comes with that," he said.

Scott and his crew will be filming today and Monday.

"It's been going great," he said. "It is an ambitious commercial. But the fun is in the challenge."

This is not the first Super Bowl commercial shot in Montgomery. In December 2010, two 30-second spots featuring the 2011 Sonata were filmed here.

This year, Hyundai has purchased three minutes worth of commercials that will air before and during Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5.

The Korean automaker's plans include two or three pre-game commercials, two commercials during the second half of the game and the 60-second spot before the kickoff.

John Krafcik, Hyundai's president and CEO, told the Detroit Free Press that this year, the company wants to have more fun with its ads.

"Everyone watches the Super Bowl for the commercials anyway, right?" Persinger said.

Hyundai At The Grammys And Beyond

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 8:00 AM

Hyundai is the Official Vehicle Partner of the Grammys!

Hyundai has inked a three-year partnership with the Recording Academy to become its “Official Vehicle Partner.” The multi-year partnership gives Hyundai the role of exclusive vehicle partner of the Grammys as well as original music projects.

The partnership focuses on the Hyundai 2012 Veloster, a three-door coupe that the automaker is marketing to 20 and 30-something multi-taskers.

Hyundai actually began the collaboration last month with Re:Generation, a program centered on a documentary about a disparate group of DJ's who get together with legendary talents in different music genres to create five new electronic music tracks.

Steve Shannon, VP marketing at Fountain Valley, Calif.-based Hyundai Motor America, said in a statement that the multi-year partnership involves Hyundai commissioning original works of art and new music projects.

The Re:Generation trailer is at www.regenerationmusicproject.com, and youtube.com/veloster, where the five songs will also be posted. Hyundai says some 1.25 million visitors have accessed content via social media channels. In addition to screenings, the automaker will have digital apps, social media, online streaming and PR over the next year around the project, per Hyundai.

As part of Hyundai's partnership with The Recording Academy, the latter will host screenings and make the film content available through its own social media channels.

Meanwhile, Hyundai gets star billing as “Official Vehicle Partner” of both the Grammy Awards and Grammy Week. The automaker will run two 60-second spots on the Nov. 30 CBS Grammy Nomination Show. Hyundai says the two spots comprise content from the Re:Generation project plus behind-the-scenes video assets.

At the 54th Annual Grammys at Staples Center on Feb. 12 (the show airs on CBS) Hyundai will have vehicles around the red carpet leading up to the venue, and the automaker's vehicles will also chauffeur stars to the awards ceremony, and be on display at the "Grammy Celebration" after-party.

The automaker says its cars will also be at the Special Merit Awards and Grammy Nominee Reception. It will also have a presence at the Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel the night before the telecast. Finally, 10 viewing parties in Recording Academy Chapter cities will include Hyundai displays.

Hyundai Busts Out With Engine Upgrades

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 7:53 AM

Looking forward to seeing the new models!

Hyundai Motor America already can't keep much of anything on its dealer lots for more than a few days, but the surging South Korean automaker is blasting off with a raft of major engine upgrades for its existing models that not only hike the horsepower game but generally deliver better fuel economy, too. Coupe lovers move to the front of the line, as much of the action (at least that we're allowed to talk about so far) centers on the sporty corner of Hyundai's busy showrooms.

At a media event here last week to detail the power plant upgrades, Hyundai officials said the company isn't letting up on its emphasis on engines that help vehicles achieve a 40-mpg highway rating (Hyundai claims the most in the industry), but said there's still plenty of engineering ability to improve fuel economy — or keep it the same — while squeezing out more power. Case in point is the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.8-liter V6 for the 2013 Genesis Coupe. At an event in Korea today, Hyundai confirmed a 30-percent power upgrade for the 2.0-liter turbo, taking it to 275 horsepower (or a little less in U.S.-spec rating) from today's 210 horses, while EPA fuel economy ratings are expected to stay the same.

For the Genesis Coupe's 3.8-liter V6, power is leaping from the current 283 hp to 350, largely thanks to the addition of direct fuel injection and other design upgrades, while fuel economy remains effectively unchanged. The Genesis Coupe V6 upgrades effectively mirror those Hyundai's already detailed for the 2012 Genesis sedan, but credit some of the Coupe's efficiency gains to a new eight-speed gearset for autobox cars.

Meanwhile, Hyundai executives also spoke again about the 2012 Veloster three-door coupe offering a turbocharged variant of the car's 1.6-liter "Gamma" four-cylinder. The rip, though, is that the company still won't be specific about exact horsepower and torque ratings. The compression ratio drops from 11:1 to 9.4:1 for the turbo, which uses a twin-scroll turbine to minimize turbo lag, and one Hyundai executive said it's logical to assume the turbo Gamma will be endowed with markedly more than 100 hp per liter. The Veloster's normally aspirated 1.6-liter job makes 138 horses, so our guess for the Veloster turbo is an output in the range of 175-180 hp. Hyundai sources admit the conventional Veloster is a lukewarm performer, so the turbo engine definitely is required equipment to bump the edgy coupe's street cred.

The company also showed a coupe version of the silly-popular Elantra compact car, which seems to emphasize the Elantra's signature sharp body side crease. That car will first be unveiled to the public at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show in February, while president and CEO John Krafcik also said there will be a five-door Elantra variant, too, although it's not decided if the car will carry the previous-generation five-door Elantra's "Touring" name. Don't expect any performance differentiation for the Elantra coupe, Krafcik contends. At least not at first. But given the freedom with which Hyundai's bolting on turbochargers and optimizing other engines for fuel economy, don't rule out some sort of Honda Civic Si-baiting upgrade for the popular Elantra in the near future.

Inside Line says: Hyundai's rise has been meteoric in the everyman market. Now it's setting its sights on becoming more tempting to the performance-oriented buyer.

http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/genesis-coupe/hyundai-busts-out-with-engine-upgrades.html

Pennsylvania joins states with texting-while-driving bans

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 12:00 PM

Glad to see that Pennsylvania now bans this too. Hopefully this will help keep everyone safer on the roads.

Pennsylvania on Wednesday became the 35th state to ban text messaging while driving.

Governor Tom Corbett signed legislation into law giving police the authority to charge someone caught texting while driving with a primary offense and a $50 fine.

"The urge to keep the conversation going online can cloud judgment, can make it impossible to focus on what (drivers) should be focusing on," said Corbett, who signed the bill into law at an AT&T mobile telephone store in suburban Harrisburg.

Corbett said 13,790 crashes in Pennsylvania were caused in 2010 by distracted driving, which includes more than texting. He said 1,100 of those accidents involved drivers using a handheld cell phone, and 66 people died because they were not paying attention to how they were driving.

"It's hard to argue against the fact that the most distracting thing that you can do behind the wheel is to be texting...and not paying attention to what you should be paying attention to," he said.

Pennsylvania's new law takes effect in 120 days.

It specifically prohibits all drivers from using an interactive wireless communication device to send, read or write a text-based message. Such messages include text messages, instant messages, email or other written communication, it says.

The law institutes a $50 fine for convictions.

How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 9:46 AM

We are getting into winter, and if you haven’t already prepared your car, now is the time to do it!

Just as you dress yourself in extra layers and winterize your house to protect it from the cold, your car needs extra preparation to make it through the winter as well. But getting ready is only half the battle. Winter driving conditions also mandate driving differently. Snow and ice need to be taken seriously and prepared for.
Hopefully, by the time winter's first storm hits, most people are prepared with a closet full of heavy coats and boots. This winter, make sure your car is as prepared as you are. Going the extra mile by getting your vehicle ready for winter and learning what it takes to drive safely through ice and snow could save your life.
In this article, we'll tell you what your car needs to make it through winter, what to pack before you take a winter road trip, how to manage snowy and icy conditions, and what to do in the event of an accident.

Preparing for Winter Driving

There's no getting around winter. Instead of dreading it, prepare for it. The changing of the seasons is a great time to check out what your car needs to gear up for cold, wet, winter driving conditions. Do this before the first flake falls because small problems you ignored during warmer months could grow worse, leaving you stranded when the temperature plummets. A few simple tips could keep your car running all winter long.
Take your car to a mechanic and check out the following: battery, antifreeze level, thermostat, heater, brakes, and defroster.

Check to make sure your tires have adequate tread. If the treads are worn, replace them. Better yet, exchange them for a set of snow tires such as Bridgestone Blizzaks, which have treads that provide better traction and are equipped to handle extreme winter driving conditions.

Make a visual inspection of your vehicle's lights. Make sure the front and rear lights are operational, especially the car's flashing hazard lights.

Often in the winter, the windshield wiper fluid may freeze. Instead of toughing it out until spring, exchange the fluid with one made especially to spray in freezing conditions.

Similarly, purchase winter wiper blades to cut through snow and ice instead of using regular ones throughout the year.

Check the spray nozzles of your windshield-washer system. Sometimes, they get blocked by wax or debris. Use a needle or pin to clear blocked nozzles.

Road salt commonly used during winter can damage your car's paint. Rinsing it off every once in a while can help, but a good wash and coat of fresh wax will go a long way in preventing corrosion and keep your vehicle looking like new.

These tips will prepare your car for a winter drive, but check the next page to see what you'll need to pack for yourself.

Packing Your Car for Winter Trips

A winter accident could leave you stuck on the side of the road. Packing your car with a few essentials will help keep you safe and ready for whatever conditions pop up on your trip.

Keep the gas tank at least half full throughout the winter. This will reduce condensation, making your vehicle easier to start on cold mornings.

If you have a cell phone, make sure it's charged and bring it with you. A car charger for the phone is also a smart device to keep in the car.

Always store a snow/ice scraper and a shovel in your vehicle. A first aid kit is another must-have item to keep on hand. It should include all the usual items plus winter extras like flashlights, a fresh supply of batteries, blankets, matches, extra clothes, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Peanuts and granola bars are good protein- and carbohydrate-rich foods.

For rear-wheel drive vehicles, you might want to keep a small bag of sand in your trunk to create traction under the tires if you get stuck. The bulk of a vehicle's weight is the engine, in the front of the car. If the car is driven by it's rear wheels instead of its front wheels, the heavy front end and light back end makes the car prone to slide around an ice- or snow-covered road.

Clear off your car each time you go out for maximum visibility. Don't forget the hood, roof, and your head and taillights. Sure it takes a few extra moments, but it's better than dealing with an accident due to poor outward visibility. Also, leftover ice chunks from the roof or hood of the vehicle may become hazardous to yourself and those on the road around you while driving.

On the next page, learn how to stay in control when the roads turn dangerous and what to do if you go off the road.

Driving Tips for Snowy and Icy Roads

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) car accidents are the number one cause of death during winter storms. Defensive driving is important. Learning how to maneuver your vehicle when confronted with winter's elements could mean the difference between winding up in a snow bank on the side of the road and arriving safely at your destination.

Before you go, listen to the radio for announcements about accidents, road closings, and road advisories. Call your local highway patrol if this information is not available on the radio.

Plan your route ahead of time to avoid any roads that become dangerous during bad weather. If a road is closed or blocked, do not attempt to continue on this route.

Let someone know your route so if you do become stranded, your family can let authorities know where to start looking.

Be aware that bridges and overpasses freeze first. Slow down before reaching them and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.

Use gentle impulses while driving: accelerate gently, turn slowly, and brake carefully and early. Avoid unexpected quick movements that could put you in a spin by leaving ample room between you and the next car. Anticipate turns, stops, and lane changes well before they occur.

Conversely, don't go too slow. The car will need some momentum to be able to push through heavier snow without getting stuck.

Steer clear of trucks. They are heavier than cars and need considerably longer stopping distances. Their tires also tend to spray snow and rain into parallel lanes, further hindering your visibility.

If you have a vehicle with four- or all-wheel drive, don't get overconfident and rely on its abilities to get you out of a problem. The traction and force created by all four wheels driving instead of two helps you get going from a stop, but does not assist your vehicle's braking ability. In fact, AWD- and 4WD-equipped vehicles are heavier than 2WD vehicles and require more time and braking power to come to a stop.

See and be seen. Always keep your lights on while driving through rain, snow, and fog.

Winter Car Accidents

Conditions like snowstorm whiteouts, which hamper visibility, and "black ice," a near-invisible layer of ice caused by snow melting and freezing again, often make winter driving unpredictable and dangerous. If you find yourself in a skid, steer carefully and avoid overreacting to keep control of the car. In cars with antilock brakes systems (ABS), the brakes are automatically pumped for you in a skid situation. You should feel the brake pedal pulsating. If you're driving a car without ABS, apply easy pressure in a pumping motion to the brakes. In the event of an accident, remain calm, follow these safety tips, and call for help.

Try to get to the right side of the road as far away from traffic as possible.

Stay in your car with your seatbelt on. Put the hazard lights on so others on the road can see you.

If a flare is available, use that to call attention to your vehicle. Tying a bright piece of cloth to the antenna works as well.

If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheels and accelerate slowly. Avoid spinning the tires and digging yourself in deeper. Rock the vehicle back and forth, using its weight and momentum to get unstuck.

If you can't get going, run the engine only a few minutes at a time to stay warm. Periodically crack a window to get fresh air. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow so harmful carbon monoxide fumes don't drift back through the car's interior.

Agencies like AAA and FEMA recommend staying off the roads if the weather is too hazardous in your area. Not knowing how to maneuver your vehicle through a winter storm jeopardizes you, your passengers, and other drivers sharing the road with you. Getting your car ready for winter and anticipating and avoiding dangerous circumstances will help keep you safely on the road and in control.

A Car Made Out of What?

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 12:45 PM

How would you feel about driving a car made out of seaweed? It's not as strange as it sounds...

More than a century ago, Henry Ford made a pragmatic — yet arguably visionary — decision by ditching car body panels made of wood for ones made out of sheet metal. The move increased the speed of automobile construction exponentially, and eventually led to the mass-produced car. However, metal wasn’t the only material in Ford’s arsenal of experimentation.

Ford was actually dabbling with more exotic, less factory-friendlyconstruction materials, such as a soy-based plastic exterior that could survive the mighty swing of an ax blade. He ultimately abandoned such plant-based materials because they were too expensive.

But as a new generation of carmakers and materials researchers attempts to wring more efficiency from (and lessen the environmental impact of) the modern motor vehicle, less conventional building materials are gaining new attention.

From design-oriented projects made of bamboo and glass to Toyota’s 1/x concept, whose bioplastic exterior contains seaweed, decades of research into novel materials seem on the verge of paying off. The question is, when will these starch-infused, shape-changing marvels hit the road, and will they be cheap enough for mere mortals to afford, or will they be another novelty for the billionaire whose Lamborghini has lost its luster?
Here are some of the more promising materials automakers are experimenting with:

Corn, Seaweed & Soybeans: Bioplastics
Plastic doesn’t grow on trees — not yet, at least. Most of it, which is used in everything from water bottles to SUV dashboards, is petroleum-based. For automakers hoping to reduce their carbon footprint — whether to boost their environmental image, or to head off regulations that would penalize carbon emissions, or a combination of both — the benefits of plant-based plastics are obvious.

For example, the production of bioplastic films derived from cornstarch churns out fewer emissions than the production of those made out of petrochemicals. Plus, they are already in relatively widespread use as eco-friendlyindustrial packaging, which can even be designed to safely break down in landfills. In April, Frito-Lay unveiled a new Sun Chips bag that’s one-third bioplastic, and the company hopes to have a fully compostable bag by Earth Day 2010.

Challenges: But what’s an advantage for an eco-minded chipmaker is a challenge for automakers. How do you achieve the strength and durability of petroleum-based plastics while preventing the material from biodegrading during the vehicle’s life span? “With enough water and heat, this plastic can break back down into compost,” says Steve Davies, director of communications and public affairs for NatureWorks, which is working with Ford and Toyotato incorporate bioplastics into new vehicles, and whose corn-based Ingeo bioplastic is part of the new Sun Chips bag.

“You have to use special coatings to turn that tendency off, so it won’t hydrolyze back into lactic acid, or basically CO2and water,” says Davies. For now, the relative vulnerability of bioplastics to the elements makes it a better fit inside the car, particularly in shaded areas such as the trunk. The Toyota Prius features bioplastic floor mats, and whenMazda unveiled its Premacy hydrogen model in 2007, its seat covers and instrument panel incorporated bioplastic.

Outlook: Carmakers are planning to dramatically increase the use of plant-based plastics. Mazda will begin incorporating a nonfood-based bioplastic (derived from the inedible parts of a to-be-announced crop) in some vehicles by 2013, and Toyota wants to replace 20 percent of its automobile plastics with bioplastics by 2015. Beyond the obvious environmental benefits, such as a seven- or eight-fold drop in CO2 emissions per pound of bioplastic fabric produced (compared to nylon, for example), Mazda believes that the lighter-weight materials could lead to increased fuel efficiency, and potentially better performance.

So when will carmakers be able to use bioplastics for exterior body panels or other substantial components? That depends on how quickly companies like NatureWorks will be able to boost their lightfastness and moisture resistance, and whether (or when) oil climbs back to more than $100 a barrel. When fuel goes up, the price of petroleum-based plastics rises with it, and bioplastics become even more attractive, from a financial standpoint.

What's the oddest material you've ever seen used to create an automobile?

Although the exact time frame is unclear, it seems inevitable that automobiles will be increasingly culled from food crops, preferably from corn husks or other agricultural waste. The process will begin from the inside out, starting with interior trim in the next handful of years, and gradually extending outward. It’s also clear that bioplastics won’t be found exclusively in eco-friendly or luxury vehicles — they’ll be as ubiquitous, and as unassuming, as the plastic already used.

Bamboo, Wood & Hemp: Organic Composites
While bioplastics use plant material as one ingredient in a bubblingindustrial cauldron, a handful of designers are trying to stage a comeback for the fully organic car frame. The experiments range from last year’s BamGoo, a one-seat electric car shown in Kyoto, Japan, that was made of bamboo, to the Lotus Elise Eco, which incorporates hemp in its exterior, bringing the overall vehicle weight down by 70 pounds. But the most dramatic use of plant-derived materials in a car’s construction is probably the Splinter, a 600-horsepower supercar design that is not only covered with wood, but features an oak and plywood steering column and wood-spoke wheels.

Joe Harmon, who built the Splinter as a graduate project while at North Carolina State University, wanted to show off wood’s potential to outperform traditional materials while being more sustainable. “Wood has a better strength-to-weight ratio than steel or aluminum,” Harmon says, “and when you compare it to what goes into digging aluminum out of the ground, transporting and refining it, wood takes roughly 1,000 times less energy to get the raw material in place.”

Harmon is now working with Corvid Technology to develop the woven-wood process that he created for the Splinter design. To make wood conform to complex shapes, Harmon’s process weaves it into a fabric. The wood is then impregnated with resin, allowing it to be draped, and then hardened in place. The result is what every auto engineer wants — a lightweight, fully customizable material that doesn’t sacrifice strength.

Challenges: Woven wood, and similar organic composites, share many of the advantages of carbon fiber — as well as the disadvantages. Any issues of durability can be handled with special coatings and sealants. The real problem is not necessarily the cost of producing the materials, or the fact that factories aren’t currently designed to accommodate novel materials, but that they slow down the rate of manufacture. The longer it takes to glue carbon-fiber panels in place, or to drape woven wood and allow it to set, the quicker the economics of mass-production collapse.

“Today, we make one new car on the assembly line every minute,” says Frank Field, a senior research engineer at MIT’s Materials Systems Lab. “That’s a critical time constant. If you can’t do whatever you’re doing in a minute, you’re going to have to offer me something I really have to have — and that I’m willing to pay more money for.” Since they can’t be efficiently produced in 100,000 production runs, organic composites and carbon fiber are more suited to high-priced niche products such as supercars and F1 racers.
Outlook: Harmon doesn’t expect Honda to start rolling out wood-frame Honda Civics. As a material, he sees woven wood as a more universal product, as applicable to furniture as to any vehicle. He says that with enough development, organic composites could be used in exteriors for boats as well as cars, although never in a mass-produced capacity. As for his Splinter car, which is currently a rolling chassis, Harmon hopes to get the 4-wheeled, turbocharged marketing campaign road-ready within the next couple of years.

Shape-Shifting Alloys and Polymers: Smart Materials
With all the buzz surrounding plant-based composites and plastics, it’s easy to forget an equally high-tech, and completely inorganic, class of materials about to hit the showroom floor. Shape memory (SM) alloys and polymers, collectively referred to as “smart materials,” are designed to soften when heated, and then stiffen as they cool. The potential benefits include body panels that could essentially heal themselves after an accident.
In 2008, Jan Aase, director of the Vehicle Development Research Lab in General Motors’ research and development division, saw this magic trick first-hand. After he hammered a one-inch dent into a sheet of SM alloy, Aase watched as another researcher applied a blowtorch, and the smart material popped back into shape.

Challenges: “As a demonstration, it’s incredibly impressive,” Aase says. “But the cost of the material is very high. The intricacies of stamping it still have to be worked out. In terms of reality, we’re quite far from production.” Even if the cost of smart materials comes down, the current manufacturing process — which includes multiple sheets of metal being stamped and welded together by teams of industrial robots — would be incompatible with alloys that actually unstamp themselves when heated.

The same is true for SM polymers, hard pieces of composite material that become floppy under high temperatures and rigid again when cooled. As useful as GM imagines these “morphable” polymers will be when they might be used to create components with precisely molded shapes and textures or to fill gaps between other components, the manufacturing challenges are even more daunting than for SM alloys.
Outlook: While researchers continue to experiment with the properties of smart materials, and the feasibility of using them in large components, GM is planning to introduce small applications of SM alloys in vehicles for the 2011 model year. The automaker won’t reveal what those applications will be, except to say that they’ll be in the same vein as research projects made public in 2007. That could mean features as unassuming as a remote-operated glove box, or as James Bond-worthy as “active” air dams and spoilers that automatically deploy and retract depending on speed and driving conditions.

Functionally, these initial SM alloy gadgets will be doing the same job as a standard, electric-powered actuator. But with fewer moving parts and relatively little energy required to heat and cool the tiny SM alloy springs, smart materials are about to make shape-changing cars more practical than ever. This first wave of minor applications could be only a couple of years away, and according to Aase, they won’t necessarily be restricted to luxury vehicles — the process of embedding vehicles’ SM alloy-activated devices doesn’t require large volumes of exotic materials or new manufacturing techniques.

Bottom line, there’s no timeline for when the more ambitious SM components might be available. But for GM, which has spent decades researching smart materials, the more pressing question isn’t when its cars will start reconstructing themselves after accidents, but whether the company can survive long enough to sell that snazzy, remote-activated glove box.

Read more http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1057565

Fact or Fiction? 10 Car Myths Debunked

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 8:15 AM

Does turning on your car’s heater really lower engine temperature? Do you really save fuel by letting your engine idle? Read on for the answers to these questions and more!

“Automotive myths have been around since the days of Henry Ford and the Model T. Some have a splinter of truth in them, but most are pure nonsense. The editors of MSNAutos have assembled 10 gems and shot them down like clay pigeons at a professional skeet-shooting exhibition.

Myth 1: Red cars get more speeding tickets.

Debunked: While they're radiant and retina-shocking, red cars are not more likely to get a speeding ticket, according to the Insurance Information Institute and Insurance Trade Association. This myth is based on an optical illusion: a red car looks as if it is going faster than it is because red is an aggressive color. But a radar gun is color-blind. The only way to avoid a speeding ticket is not to speed. If you have no self-control (we don't either), here are a couple of nifty tips to avoid being nailed by Smokey on your next trip: (1) Travel in a pack of cars to avoid being singled out — let a rabbit speed ahead of you and get the ticket instead; (2) Stay in the right lane whenever possible, because many officers look to the fast lane for speeders.

Myth 2: Driving with the windows open to stay cool saves gas.

Debunked: According to Ford's Driving Skills for Life Web site, the power-robbing effect of air-conditioning compressors is less hurtful than the aerodynamic drag created by speeding down the road with the windows open, especially at highway speeds. Running the air conditioner will sacrifice a few ponies, but the turbulence caused by open windows will require more horsepower, and thus cause the vehicle to consume more fuel to maintain a steady speed. Ford's Web site recommends using the recirculation feature because it is more efficient to cool already cool air from the cabin than outside air. Another nifty tip is to run the vent/fan setting once the cabin cools down.

Myth 3: Letting an engine idle saves fuel.

Debunked: This one may have rung true when carburetors ruled the roost, but not now that fuel injection is the norm. Start-up in most modern vehicles is lean and efficient, and the longer the interval between shutdown and start-up, the greater the fuel savings. Engine-off strategies are prevalent in hybrids for a reason: they improve mileage. Even the all-gasoline 2012 Maserati Quattroporte will be using start-stop technology to improve its fuel efficiency.

Myth 4: Hybrid batteries won’t last.

Debunked: Doubters were quick to question the longevity of hybrid battery cells and cite their substantial replacement cost to scare people away from these green machines. Check the warranty card. Manufacturers are offering warranties that start at 80,000 miles and go up from there. Furthermore, the federal government tested battery packs up to 160,000 miles and experienced no issues. Hybrid taxicabs have reported 200,000-plus miles without the need for a battery replacement.

Myth 5: Engine warm-up is important to longevity.

Debunked: There is no need to sit in the garage or driveway and let your engine warm to normal operating temperature before venturing on your way. Sure, a short warm-up period is smart — about as long as it takes to secure your seat belt, check your mirrors and adjust the stereo — then put it in gear and go. The idea is to warm up the engine on the road by driving conservatively until the temperature dial is in the normal range; then you can lean on the throttle as needed.”

Read about the other 5 myths at http://editorial.autos.msn.com/listarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=1155168

Hyundai steels itself for a cleaner future

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 3:22 AM

Hyundai is taking major steps towards cleaner steel production!

“Steelmakers are known to be one of the worst polluters in manufacturing, but South Korea's newest plant claims it is designed to go green.

Hyundai Steel's Dangjin plant, which sits an hour and a half south of Seoul on the west coast, is the youngest steel plant in the world and has adopted new technologies to ensure it stand out from others.

By simply enclosing storage and transport routes for raw material, they are able to prevent dust particles from entering the surrounding areas.

The facility, which includes 35 kilometers (21 miles) of conveyor belts fully enclosed and state-of-the-art storage domes, cost Hyundai Steel roughly $5.5 billion to build. The two blast furnaces produce eight million tons of steel a year.

It is no small investment, but the steelmaker believes it will earn its way back in no time.

"With the encapsulated storage system, we minimize loss of raw material so that may be $20 million a year (that we are saving)," said Hyundai Steel's senior executive vice president Cho Won-suk.

Other steelmakers lose roughly 0.5% in raw materials annually by keeping them in the open, subjecting the material to rain and wind, according to Hyundai.

The idea is simple but conventional players elsewhere see it as a large investment that would require a new layout for the steel plant.

With the encapsulated storage system, we minimize loss of raw material so that may be $20 million a year (that we are saving)
Cho Won-suk, Hyundai Steel

Hyundai's Dangjin plant, which blew in its blast furnace at the beginning of last year, was designed to accommodate the green system from the beginning.

Dangjin also boasts its recycling byproducts emitted during the process of burning and melting raw materials. The company says it recycles 100% of its byproducts which supplies 80% of the operation energy at the plant.

"The byproduct gas contains energy and has some value. For example, it contains carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane, so the byproduct gas can be utilized for heating up furnaces in the plant," vice president Cho said.

To make sure Hyundai is meeting its standards as a green steelmaker, it monitors its emission output around the clock which is not only reported to the government but is also open to the public.

The steelmaker keeps its pollution levels below half of the government's regulations, according to Hyundai's technical research center manager, Park Eung-yeul.

Its tight relationship with its sister companies, Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Construction, is also enhancing its efforts to become more green.

Not only does Hyundai Steel supply car parts to Hyundai Motor, the old cars at the end of their cycle come back to the steelmaker as scrap metal to be melted down and used once again. The rougher steel produced from scrap metal can then be used at construction sites.

Despite these efforts, tackling CO2 emissions remains an ongoing challenge.

But the company's dedicated task force team continue the drive towards producing environmentally-friendly energy and removing the obstacles in the way of even cleaner steel production.”

ARK, Hyundai team up to make the Veloster even more mad (SEMA 2011)

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 3:30 AM

As if the Veloster weren’t cool enough already! Check out what cartech blog has to say about what Hyundai and ARK have in store for SEMA 2011:

“The 2011 SEMA Show--the hottest, largest aftermarket automotive show in the world--is but one short month away and with its approach comes a deluge of hot custom cars and aftermarket accessories that will be vying for our attention from the show floor. The first to catch our attention is this hopped-up Hyundai Veloster customized by ARK Performance.

ARK starts with the Veloster's 1.6-liter GDI engine and sporty, but economical, suspension setup but eventually upgrades darn near everything with a jaw-dropping list of performance parts. Power upgrades start with an ARK turbocharger and front-mount intercooler and terminate with a dual exhaust system (sans catalytic converter). Suspension upgrades include a full ARK coil-over suspension and an assortment of strut and sway bars. Keeping things safe are a six-pot big brake kit and a full roll cage.

It wouldn't be a show car without an upgraded interior, so ARK called in JPM Coachworks to swath the Veloster's seats, shift boot, dashboard, headliners, doors, and visors in Alcantara, and Image Dynamics to upgrade the stock stereo with about 1,000 watts (max) of amplification for the new component speakers and subs. Making sure the audio system's power drain doesn't interfere with the driving performance is an array of SUN automotive upgrades that help isolate and boost the efficiency of the vehicle's electronic ignition system.

As if it weren't obvious from the sketches, ARK is also giving the Veloster's already oddball asymmetrical chassis the wide-body kit treatment with its CFX replacement front lip, side skirts, rear bumper, front and rear fenders, and grille, all of which are slathered in the requisite show car paint. There are also custom headlamps and taillights by OneEighty and custom mudflaps by Rally Armor to complete the rally car look. Finally, the whole car rides on Yokohama Advan RZ gunmetal wheels shod in Nitto tires.”

How can a speed bump harvest electricity?

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 4:30 AM

Ever wanted to power your home with speed bumps? It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Read on for more!

“There was a time when debates surrounding speed bumps revolved around whether or not a community needed speed bumps to slow down drivers on a certain road. Safety was the key issue. Now, a new key issue is making its way into the discussion -- the question of whether or not speed bumps can actually harvest unused energy from a car.

Many energy discussions involving vehicles focus on how to reduce the fuel consumption or overall energy cost of operating that vehicle. Hybrid car technologies seem to focus on either reducing the amount of fuel a car uses or ways to create power (for the car) by implementing systems like regenerative braking. But using a vehicle to create power for an outside device hasn't received as much attention. So how might it work?

When a vehicle approaches a speed bump, most drivers press down on the brake pedal to slow the car down. The car's braking system expends energy that gets transferred to the brake pads and then into heat. It takes a lot of energy to slow or stop a car. In addition, the speed bump itself receives energy via the weight of the vehicle coming into contact with it.”

Hyundai, Kia split up roles for eco autos

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 3:30 AM

Eco-friendly cars, coming right up from Kia and Hyundai!

SEOUL--Hyundai Motor Group plans to carry out a role-sharing between Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors in developing eco-friendly cars.

Hyundai Motor will take on developing models of “plug-in hybrids,” which utilize rechargeable batteries, and hydrogen-powered “fuel cell vehicles,” group vice chairman Yang Woong-chul said.

He said Kia Motors will mainly focus on “electric drive vehicles” which use electric motors or traction motors for propulsion.

“Kia is set to launch sales of the TAM, an electric powered vehicle, as early as later this year,” he said. “We have the yearly sales target of 2,000 units and are considering exporting the vehicle.”

The project has been unveiled during the group executive's meeting with reporters at the Frankfurt Motor Show over the weekend...

How are cars becoming more user-friendly?

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 1:48 PM

Are we approaching an era of self-driving cars?

“Fred Flintstone had a car that he had to power with his own feet; by that standard, all of today's cars are pretty easy to use. But cars are becoming even more user-friendly -- so user-friendly, in fact, that they may not even require a user at all. That's because much of the new car technology involves taking over the role of the driver.

For instance, no longer does a driver need to mind the blind spots, as certain cars come with detection systems that will alert the operator to obstacles in other lanes. If a driver should start to drowse off and drift into another lane, the steering wheel will shake or a voice will alert the driver to what's happening. Gone are the days of manually changing the cruise control speed when the car in front of you slows down -- now, adaptive cruise control uses radar to track the speed of that car and adjust the speed on its own. And since cars with adaptive cruise control can sense just how much space separates them from other cars, they can go into panic mode when cars ahead start hitting their brakes.

But you needn't fear a world of self-driving cars just yet. According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, drivers want features that improve safety, but they're not ready to turn over complete control of the road to a machine just yet [source: Adams]. In other words, while drivers may like alerts about a car in their blind spots, they want to be the ones that adjust their cars to account for it. And the same survey found that drivers are willing to keep their eyes on the road despite the goodies that new cars are offering; fancy features like WiFi or temperature-controlled cupholders are at the bottom of drivers' wish lists, perhaps indicating that drivers know they need to focus on driving, not on checking the latest sports scores online.

While today's drivers may be wary of cars that do too much for them, that doesn't mean they don't appreciate a little help and convenience. Keyless ignition systems save drivers the hassle of looking for their keys, new fuel tank caps that don't require a lot of turning can save time at the gas station, and self-repairing paint, which covers a scratch as soon as it occurs, eliminates the ordeal and expense of the body shop.”

Hyundai Announces Pricing For Blue Link Service

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 6:25 AM

Hyundai announces pricing for Blue Link Service.

Fresh off of winning two major honors for its innovative Blue Link system at the recent 9th Annual Telematics Update Awards, Hyundai provided an important telematics update of its own by announcing that Blue Link service would be available to its drivers for as little as $79.

Blue Link, which is set to debut this summer on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata and roll out through the majority of the Hyundai lineup by 2013, will offer more than 30 different connectivity features and safety services, available in three different packages:

Assurance—Designed to offer enhanced peace of mind for Hyundai owners, the Blue Link Assurance package allows drivers to contact emergency and/or roadside assistance specialists with a push of a button; in addition, if a collision with an air-bag deployment occurs, the system can automatically establish contact with a trained response specialist even without the need for driver action. MSRP: $79 for one year, $139 for two years and $198 for three years.

Essentials—This package includes all Assurance functionality as well as remote door lock/unlock, remote horn/lights activation and remote start, all using a toll-free phone number, website or mobile phone app. Also included are a number of connectivity features, like hands-free text messaging (enhanced by Blue Link’s exclusive Agent-Assisted Voice Recognition system) and location sharing, as well as a quick reference guide to vehicle functions and Service Link, which simplifies scheduling service appointments.

Vehicle self-diagnostics is another part of the Essential package, as is a suite of services designed to monitor the vehicle’s location, speed and time of use, to ensure, for example, a teen driver or valet is operating the vehicle responsibly. MSRP: $179 for one year, $315 for two years and $448 for three years.

Guidance—Turn-by-turn directions for vehicles that do not have on-board navigation systems, a wide range of point-of-interest resources (including the ability to download POI information from select websites), route guidance, traffic and weather data, gas station locations and fuel prices, and even restaurant ratings are all in the mix with the Guidance package, which also includes all services available in the Assurance and Essentials packages. Plus, this package includes guidance of another kind—an Eco-Coach service that monitors and reports on a driver’s fuel use and emissions to help coach more efficient driving. MSRP: $279 for one year, $491 for two years and $699 for three years.

To help introduce Blue Link to customers, Hyundai will offer complimentary Assurance service for six months, and free Essentials and Guidance for three months, on all new Blue Link-equipped Hyundai vehicles. And if customers decide to renew their service within 30 days of vehicle purchase, the complimentary subscriptions extend to a full year for Assurance and six months each for Essentials and Guidance.

“Blue Link combines safety, service and infotainment into a complete package that works to both help simplify Hyundai owners’ lives and reduce distracted driving,” said Barry Ratzlaff, director of customer satisfaction and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. “We’ve carefully studied how drivers rely on smart phones and navigation systems as an innovative link to the outside world. Blue Link brings that seamless connectivity directly into the car.”

Is texting while driving really worse than drunk driving?

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 6:34 AM

Is texting while driving really worse than drunk driving? That’s the question that Christopher Neiger from “How Stuff Works” asked. Read more to find out his conclusion.

Texting, or short message service(SMS), is a quick form of communication that allows users to send 160 characters or less to and from their cell phones and smartphones. A study by the Pew Research group in 2009 and 2010 reported that out of the number of Americans who have cell phones, 58 percent of adults and 66 percent of teens use them to text [source:Motavalli]. With these high percentages of Americans using text messaging every year, many are bringing the habit along with them when they drive. The same Pew study showed that 34 percent of teens who use their phone for texting said they've done it while driving, and 47 percent of adults who texted said they had done it while driving, too [source: Motavalli].

In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that almost 6,000 fatalities and over half of a million injuries were due to accidents caused by drivers who were distracted [source: Motavalli]. The study wasn't focused on texting, but it does show the seriousness of driving while distracted. Like many other driving distractions, texting involves a certain amount of mental attention as well as physical application which may be why 28 states have banned drivers from texting while operating a vehicle [source: Motavalli].

But is there really proof that texting while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving? Even though research is just now being done to measure the effects of texting while driving, some in the automotive industry and others in research circles say that texting is definitely more dangerous than drunk driving. Mainly because taking a driver's eyes off the road significantly cuts down on his or her ability to react to changes.

In 2009, Car and Driver conducted a driving test with their editor-in-chief and an intern to prove or disprove that texting while driving was more dangerous than drunk driving. The first step of their experiment was to test and measure the reaction times of both drivers while driving sober with no distractions, and then while reading and sending text messages on their cell phones. A light mounted to the front windshield simulated a car braking in front of them [source:Austin].

As they read and sent text messages, their response time was measured based on the time it took between when the brake light came on and when the driver applied the brakes at both 35 miles per hour (56.3 kilometers per hour) and at 70 miles per hour (112.7 kilometers per hour) [source: Chang]. Both drivers had a longer response time while reading and sending the text messages when compared to driving without any distractions. After the initial test, both drivers then consumed alcohol and reached the legal driving limit for intoxication in their state. After running the same test again while driving drunk, response times for both drivers were better when the driver was drunk, compared to when they were reading or sending text messages while sober. Car and Driver writers mentioned that the test was performed on a closed airport runway, with no road signs and no turns. Although this test was performed on a closed course, slow response times due to texting could result in serious consequences in real-world driving situations.

Another test conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory in London took it a step further. It found that drivers who texted had slower response times, were more likely to drift in and out of lanes and even drove worse than those who were driving while high on marijuana [source: Nugent]. The study found that reaction times for those who texted while driving were 35 percent worse than when they drove without any distractions at all. When driving while intoxicated, the reaction time was only 12 percent worse than when the driver was sober and driving without any texting distractions [source: Nugent]. The researchers also found that there was a significant decrease in ability to maintain a safe driving distance between vehicles while texting and steering control dropped by 91 percent compared to driving without distraction [source: Nugent]. One of the study's commissioners eventually concluded that texting while driving is one of the most dangerous things a driver could do while behind the wheel of a car.

Read the full article: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/texting-while-driving-worse-than-drunk-driving.htm

What cars have the lowest cost of ownership?

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 4:51 AM

What cars have the lowest cost of ownership? Read on to find out!

There's more to the cost of owning a car than just paying the sticker price; in fact, the car with the lower sticker price might just turn out to be more expensive over the long haul. In other words, you might have the cash to buy a car, but not the income to afford to own it. That's the difference between price and total cost of ownership (TCO).

The total cost of ownership (over five years) includes six factors:

Depreciation accounts for 46 percent of TCO (the average model depreciates 65 percent).
Fuel costs mount up quickly -- especially for SUVs -- constituting 26 percent.
Interest varies according to vehicle price, but in a typical case (a five-year loan, 15 percent down, 6.4 percent interest), it accounts for 12 percent of TCO.
Insurance costs vary according to age, location, driving record, vehicle make and model but on average account for 11 percent.
Maintenance and repair constitute 4 percent of TCO on average.
Sales tax costs owners about as much as maintenance and repair, assuming the national average of 4.9 percent.

So which cars have the lowest cost of ownership? It's a complicated question and your circumstances may vary (especially if you include used cars in the mix), but here are some good candidates among 2010 vehicles. The list also indicates the award-winners in their categories for 2010:

Nissan Versa (also best compact car), Toyota Yaris (also best subcompact car), Hyundai Accent, Honda Civic, Scion xD (also best compact wagon), Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius
(also best mid-sized car), Nissan Cube, Chevrolet Aveo5

Hyundai Adds Investment, Jobs To Support U.S. Production

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 10:12 AM

Some really good news coming from Hyundai!

With the all-new, Hyundai Elantra off to a red-hot start in this country, the automaker already has announced a new investment of $173 million in its U.S. manufacturing facilities—located in Montgomery, Ala.—to keep up with demand. And notably, this investment also will mean an additional 214 new jobs for the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama complex, which builds both the Elantra and the Hyundai Sonata.

The primary focus of the new investment will be production of the Elantra’s high-tech, high-efficiency I4 engine. This 1.8-liter powerplant is an amazing 73 lbs. lighter than the previous Elantra’s four-cylinder engine, yet it delivers 10 more hp and 18 percent better highway fuel efficiency. All told, the engine’s new spec sheet shows 148 hp, 131 lb.-ft. of torque and EPA ratings of 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. And unlike rivals that only offer 40 mpg in special models with higher costs, the Elantra delivers that fuel-economy performance in all configurations, regardless of whether they’re kitted out with a manual transmission or an automatic. Key powertrain components responsible for these results include:

An aluminum block and head for lighter weight

Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT)

A Variable Induction System (VIS)

A roller swing arm and Hydraulic Lash Adjusters (HLA)

Electronic throttle control

An offset crankshaft

Hyundai’s Alabama investment also will increase production capacity for the 2.4-liter I4 engine that’s the standard powerplant in the Sonata, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. (The latter two are built at Kia’s nearby U.S. manufacturing facilities in West Point, Ga.; Kia is an affiliate of Hyundai.)

Readmore:http://www.hyundaiinthenews.com/hyundai-adds-investment-jobs-to-support-u-s-production/#more-984

Hyundai Hope On Wheels

Posted by Hyundai of Greensburg on 6:37 AM

A wonderful program beginning in September. Read below for more details:

Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a partnership of Hyundai dealers across the U.S. and Hyundai Motor America, today announced a new nationwide initiative to raise funds to fight childhood cancer. Hyundai dealers have pledged to donate a total of $3 million dollars to Hope on Wheels based on vehicles sold during the month of September (National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month). This will be matched by a $3 million contribution from Hyundai Motor America so that through this effort, Hyundai will donate a minimum of $6 million in the month of September to children's hospitals and other non-profit organizations across the country in the form of "Hyundai Hope Grants." These Hope Grants will fund childhood cancer research projects as well as survivorship programs and other resources designed to improve quality of life for children with cancer.

Hyundai and its dealers are expanding their historic commitment to battling childhood cancer with the "Hyundai Gives Hope on Wheels" September program. By the end of the year, through this new initiative and existing fundraising programs, Hope on Wheels will have awarded more than $22 million dollars to support the fight against childhood cancer since it became involved with this cause more than a decade ago.

"Hyundai and its dealers have been committed to fighting childhood cancer since 1998. After visiting children's hospitals across the country and meeting thousands of extraordinary children affected by childhood cancer, we wanted to share their stories with our communities and customers," said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "This September, our goal is to raise more awareness of this issue than we ever have before to support the fight against this dreaded disease with the hope of seeing more children go on to live long, happy lives, free of cancer."

Even though there have been many advances in therapies and treatment, cancer still remains the leading cause of death by disease in children in the U.S. While 85 percent of most childhood cancers are being cured today, three out of five children will suffer long-term health effects from treatment that will remain with them throughout their lives.

"As we've met numerous children, families, doctors and support teams that help kids fight cancer over the years, we've become more and more aware of how many different resources are needed to assist kids and families through cancer - from diagnosis through treatment and beyond," said Mike Kelly, Dealer Board Member, Hyundai Hope on Wheels Foundation and dealer owner of Mike Kelly Hyundai, Butler, PA. "Cutting edge medical research and educational, psychological and emotional support services are all crucial parts of cancer treatment for children and families, and Hyundai's new September initiative will support the people and organizations that are working directly with children and families fighting cancer."

During the month of September, Hope on Wheels will visit about sixty organizations across the country to distribute Hyundai Hope Grants in an amount of $100,000 each. These funds are designed to underwrite direct research projects and support meaningful initiatives undertaken by doctors, nurses, social workers, child life specialists and other professionals who work with children with cancer.

For more information on Hyundai Hope on Wheels, visit www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.

Hyundai of Greensburg

Hyundai of Greensburg

Hyundai of Greensburg

Hyundai of Greensburg

Hyundai of Greensburg

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