Beijing Hyundai debuts new Sonata in Guangzhou

Shanghai, November 20 (Gasgoo.com) The all-new Sonata model "Ling Xiang" made by Beijing Hyundai was unveiled at the ongoing Guangzhou auto show yesterday, said xinhuanet.com today. The China-made Sonata is expected to go on sale in the Chinese market at the end of this year or the beginning of 2009.  

This all-new model, its Chinese name "Ling Xiang" meaning "leading the flying," is the second Hyundai model manufactured in China and is part of efforts by the Korean automaker for the Chinese market. Like the Hyundai Elantra released by the Beijing venture in the first half this year, this all-new luxury Hyundai model is also specially designed to cater for the Chinese consumers.

Sonata "Ling Xiang"

The "Ling Xiang" model is based on Hyundai's 7th-generation Sonata sedan. Beijing Hyundai has tailored the new model to the increasing discerning tastes of Chinese customers. The front bumper, rear bumper, roof, side tail light, among others, of the car body have been totally improved at great cost. The "leading-flying" sedan measures 4,815mm x 1,832mm x 1,475mm with a 2.73mm wheelbase.

The planned launch of the Chinese-specific Sonata comes at a time when most analysts expect Hyundai to miss this year's sales target in China, as a downdraft on auto sales growth in the world's No. 2 auto market is coming into focus.

Hyundai originally planned to sell 380,000 vehicles in China this year. In the first 10 months of the year, the automaker has sold 231,137 units in the country.