Microsoft is set to partner with Hyundai-Kia for new automotive ‘infortainment systems. The computer company targets 2010 as the year where the partnership will introduce its first product, a product that focuses on voice control of mobile devices inside a car. The partnership and their products aren’t just for the North American market. It is expected that the two companies is set to target Asian and European markets as well. This isn’t the first time that Microsoft has partnered with an automaker to develop some in-car technology. It can be remembered as well that Microsoft has an agreement with Ford Motor Co. to offer its Microsoft Auto system in North America under the Sync brand name. The deal of Microsoft with Ford Motor Company is set to expire this November. The Ford system, Sync connects mobile phones, iPods or mp3 players to the car’s audio system. The European company, Fiat also makes use of Microsoft technology in Europe and South America. The Fiat brand sells its cars with the software outside the US market.
The deal that was signed by the two companies will allow Hyundai and Kia Motors to sell cars that are equipped with the Microsoft Auto around the world starting November. But based on some reports, the companies are working on new capabilities and these products may not be available this fall. Though it wasn’t mentioned what type of capabilities that may be, it has been said that the companies are developing softwares that can include navigation and an emergency call service that can be activated once the air bags are inflated.
Hyundai is the world’s fifth largest automaker and South Korea’s largest manufacturer. In Ulsan, South Korea, the company operates the world’s largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility that can produce 1.6 million units annually.
Filed under: Hyundai, Kia, Microsoft , Hyundai, Kia, Microsoft
Cars are no longer just marketed to the hip segment of the market, to the fashionable, to the young, to the moneyed, the sports minded and to the sports-driven; car manufacturers take the needs of our retirees at the forefront as well. That’s right new cars that are designed right now are not just geared for the young; but these cars are geared for the ‘more mature’ segment of our society. The rationale is simple; to make driving easier and simpler for our retirees.
Right now, both Kia and Hyundai offer vehicles that can guide drivers with less-than-perfect eyesight. Perfect examples are the Hyundai Santa FE SUV and the Kia Sedona mini-van. Both models offer large climate and audio controls with stand-out text. The Acura brand also makes its one model retiree-friendly. The Acura RDX SUV features a driver seat that effectively adjusts to eight different settings. The pre-selected settings will effectively help drivers with limited range of motion in the upper body. These kind of amenities and features should come as a standards to up and coming vehicles since there is a growing market as well for our ‘retiree’ or the consumers that are aged 65 and older. In fact, according to the US Census Bureau statistics, more than 30 million licensed drivers are over 65 years old.
Forbes.com made a listing of what cars are best for retirees. They used a number of factors and these factors include crash-test safety ratings, safety measures such as the air bags, the driver’s seat position in proportion to the vehicle’s controls, the ease of egress and entrance and cargo space as well. So what cars made Forbes short list? At the top of the list is the Honda Odyssey. This vehicle scored high on safety ratings, an eight way power adjustable seats and there’s a sliding door for easy opening. Trailing the Odyssey are the Kia Sedona and the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Hyundai Entourage and the Honda CRV also made the cut.
The Honda Odyssey is a mini van that is produced by Honda and was first released in 1995. This van was available in three generations. There were two related but distinct Odysseys that were produced since 1999. The much larger Odyssey were sold in the North American market and the smaller ones that are sold in Japan and other markets. The Kia Sedona is yet another mini van from the Kia brand. The Honda CRV is a compact crossover SUV that is available in the market since 1996. The design of the CRV is loosely based from the Honda Civic so as to satisfy the need or the public demand for a sport utility vehicle coming from Honda.
Filed under: Honda, Hyundai, Kia, News , Honda CRV, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sedona
Most of the time, the quality and the reliability of the vehicles do the talking for these automobile manufacturers. These vehicles are usually subjected to road tests, and often the commendation and the citations coming from respected publications and organizations such as Consumer Reports and government agencies like EPA are the ones that do the talking for these car manufacturers. Most of the time, expensive advertisements do the job of promoting these cars in the market. Now South Korean auto manufacturers had step up its promotion and now wanted to market the vehicles thru sports. Though this is new, what is new is the fact that these two South Korean companies are now more focused than ever and found sports as a viable medium to promote their brands.
Hyundai took the lead with its tie-up with Superbowl and it was reported that Hyundai’s recent Super Bowl ads yielded the positive impact on the brand among the consumers. This conclusion was produced thanks to the recent Nielsen Online Mega Panel Survey’s post game study that found out that around 43 percent of the respondents had improved their view on Hyundai. Another recent surver indicated that Hyundai netted a 45 percent increase in net brand improvement for its Genesis campaign. It was the goal of the bran’s marketing efforts to not only entertain but also to inform, to build awareness and position of Hyundai vehicles in the market.
Another Hyundai brand enters in an agreemet with a large sporting institution. Kia joined hands with NBA to promote the sport and the brand. Kia Motors America is now the official sponsor of the National Basketball Association. It can be noted that Kia has been in sports long enough and the brand maintains a sponsorship on the Australian Open and it even got Rafael Nadal to promote one of the brand’s model.
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Filed under: Hyundai, Kia, News , Hyundai, Kia, NBA
The last time I talked about NBA and a car manufacturer, I was talking about Kia’s participation for the coming play-offs as a sponsor. Now let me talk about this in great detail. While I was searching for stories, I caught a glimpse about Kia’s deal with a basketball team. Kia inked a deal with San Antonio Spurs as part of the brand’s effort to make its presence felt in US basketball. The partnership between Spurs and Kia will include educational programs and initiatives and Spurs will soon be part of Kia’s promotional projects.
Filed under: Kia, News , Kia, NBA
After teaming up with Rafael Nadal for the Kia advertisement and sponsoring the recently concluded 2008 Australian Open at the land down under, Kia has then targeted another sport as a way of strengthening the brand. Kia is now the ‘Official Automotive Partner of the NBA’.
The brand expanded its sponsorship in NBA to 16 teams and this move by the brand is the brand’s own way to position Kia in the market.
Kia is proud to be part of such a distinguished organization that is also a perfect fit for our youthful, energetic brand and our dynamic vehicles. The team partnership leverage the excitement of the game in local markets and help us elevate our brand awareness in the respective communities, says Byung Mo Ahn, President and CEO of KMA and KMMG.
As mentioned, Kia is also a proud sponsor of the Australian Open and of the Davis Cup.
This move by Kia only goes to show how serious the brand is in capturing a significant portion of the market. The deal that was signed by Kia Motors America was a one year deal, and Kia is to become the official car of the National Basketball Association. Aside from the the fact that Kia will be visible during the play-offs and the draft, it is expected that Kia will donate vehicles to the charities that are selected by the winners of the Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year and the Sixth Man awards.
Filed under: Kia , Australian Open, Kia, NBA, Rafael Nadal
