Hyundai-KIA win UK Manufacturer of the Year
18 Nov, 2008
22 Comments 
UK magazine Autocar has named Hyundai-KIA as its Automotive Manufacturer of the Year citing the world’s fifth largest car-maker’s “mind-blowing ambition” as the centre point of their decision.
Hyundai-KIA have climbed in to the top ranks of the world’s biggest car companies in less than 50 years.
Both companies began making cars in the mid-1960s but did not export outside Korea until the 1980s. Then with their merger in 1998 the Korean brand has become a world force in auto production, now ranked just behind Toyota, GM, Ford and Audi-VW.
The award was presented by Editor Chas Hallett to Hyundai-KIA President Nam-Yong Kim who said:
This recognition of the efforts of everyone within Hyundai and KIA is a great honour, coming from such a renowned publication as Autocar. This is a significant recognition of the determination of our Chairman, Mr Mong-Koo Chung and all of our people to firmly put the Korean automotive industry on the global map. This award will only encourage us to re-double our efforts to continue our development and if Chas Hallet thinks our ambition is ‘mind-blowing’, then all I can say is ‘He hasn’t seen anything yet!’
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November 18th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Well done to Hyundai-KIA.
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November 18th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I agree Martin. Well done, well deserved. This Korean alliance has come a LONG way in recent times. What they’ve accomplished in the last decade is worth the kudos. Let’s hope they only continue to improve.
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November 18th, 2008 at 11:02 am
In such a short time they have come a giant way. There designs are right up there now for look and there quality has leaped ahead. Congrats to an ambitious company!
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November 18th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I have never been remotely interested in any car from the Korean manufacturers, but I’m not too proud to say that is a nice looking rig in the top photo.
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November 18th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Well done to Hyundai-Kia, just goes to show that you can learn by others mistakes and bypass them. With their momentum at present, the Japanese would do well to keep an eye over their shoulder.
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November 18th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Exactly, Subaru could learn a thing or two off Kia in the exterior design department, the cee’d is a great looking hatch
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November 18th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Smokin’, well said. Subaru probably creates the ugliest cars in the industry, with the possible exception of Ssang Yong. The Cee’d pictured above looks really good.
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November 18th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
goggles,
sorry mate but i reckon the liberty is one of the sleekest/most “elegantest” lookers out there.
dont get too carried away,
the only real looker in the hyundai stable is the i30.
they have done wonders with that one, but the rest still needs a bit of work.
Ill even put a last model Barina over the Getz for both looks and interior quality and comfort.
sure they are getting better, but the i30 is the only one thats hit the spot so far
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November 18th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Andrew, each to their own, but I\’d call the Liberty \”mild\” or \”inoffensive\” (a cynic might say \”bland\”) rather than sleek. Agreed that Hyundai/Kia still has plenty of work to do, but at least they are fairly consistently heading in the right direction. Subaru\’s styling is all over the place, and seems to change direction every 24 months.
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November 18th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I partially agree,
but if it were a subaru or hyundai in todays range, it would be subaru on every level.
no point in buying a car because it will get better in the future, because you bought todays product, and based on todays product, i would take the subaru.
most of hyundais growth can be attributed to their value for money offerings. thats originally all they were about, but it is good to see them finally produce a quality looking product and still keep the value on tap with the i30
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November 18th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Shows what can be achieved with a good management team.
Should be lining the current crop of American/Australian CEOs etc etc etc UP against a wall.LOL.U know the rest.LOL.
Shows what happens when management gets fat,lazy and greedy
as is the case with the American giants and their subsidiaries.
I bet Hyundai Kia execs are paid substantially less and obviously work a dam sight harder.
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November 18th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
…………with their tracing paper & etch-a-sketches.
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November 18th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
That was unfair. Congratulations to H-K.
I’ll admit, there was a time when japan once copied all things british or german.
I look forward to their assault on the summit.
Still won’t buy one though.
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November 18th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I find it a bit scary how a company is so obsessed about being number 1 & are on their road to that position. No wonder a lot of other car manufacturers are worried about Hyundais growing sales & reputation for building great cars, & I bet most of them are very envious as well. Congratulations must go to the company & I have a feeling they are going to become the number 1 car maker sooner rather than later.
Cheers !
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November 18th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Congrat to Hyundai & Kia for another award. I agree with AndrewM,the only good looking Hyundai is the i30, and probably the Sante FE.Problems with Hyundai design are they tend to copy other brand styles.While Subaru have their own styles even if they look ugly to many people. I own an i30 SR and an impreza RS hatch and I reckon the Impreza look better in the flesh.
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November 19th, 2008 at 2:22 am
Great achievemnet fro Hyundai and Kia. They won’t stop here right? I hear they want to be No.3 automaker at the end of the 2020.
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November 19th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I used to take the p*ss out of people who drove Hyundai’s… now i drive one myself (i30).
Best car I’ve driven.
Well done Hyundai-Kia.
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November 19th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Next year allot is happening for Kia. The new Soul, Cerato and Magentis are coming out around February (Australian tennis open). Also i heard a rumor the Sorento will be replaced with a seven seater. In my nine years with Kia i am amazed at their achievements.
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November 19th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I have owned 3 Imprezas (classic style) and was not sure about Subarus Hatch version but was willing to have a look. The version I would have gone for was £6000 more expensive than the i30 Premium Sport I finally went for and the i30 is a better equipped vehicle by far.
Those worried about the i30 being the only looker in the range should have a look at the i10, i20 and Genesis to see that Hyundai have got a pretty good looking range of very well built cars.
Congrats to Hy-Kia, I would recommend them anytime.
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November 19th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
My i30 Premium diesel ranks as one of the finest vehicles I have ever owned. The Hy-Kia partnership should be well proud of itself, producing cars that people actually LIKE and which are stylish and economical.
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November 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
So far so good with my Kia Grand Carnival.
Only gripe was the day I picked it up and the salesman attempted to restore the third row to upright position and couldn’t.Called a mechanic and he strained and pushed at it until it came. OK since but makes u ponder what the pre delivery charge is for.
Dealer chain is usually the weak link.
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November 19th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
If they can keep their dealers keen they will succeed.
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