27 · Saturday, December 26, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Hyundai 2010 Tucson CUV starts the next sales surge rolling Story and photos by Jim Robinson Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine LOS ANGELES, Ca: Hyundai is doing it again. In 2007, they promised seven new models in 24 months, a huge task, and they did it. Rather than take a breather, they have announced they are going to do it again with seven new models in the next 24 months starting with the 2010 Tucson compact CUV that goes on sale in early 2010. "Never waste a good crisis," Hyundai Canada vice-president of marketing, John Vernile, said at the press launch of the Tucson in Los Angeles and the numbers prove him right. While the market in Canada was down 12.5 per cent, Hyundai's year-to-date sales in November were up 27.6 per cent. More to the point, Hyundai will have sold more than 100,000 units by the end of 2009, by far its biggest year in Canada and one of only six brands in Canada to exceed the magic 100,000 mark. With the 2010 Tucson, Hyundai is sticking solidly with its game plan: lots of conformer holds the brakes on for a few seconds giving the driver time to move his/her foot off the brake on only to the gas whereupon the brakes are automatically released. This is a great feature especially for us here in winter. Downhill brake control makes it possible (when engaged by a button on the dash) to let the car employ sensors, engine retardation and braking to descend at an even 8 km/h. The driver does not have to touch the brake or gas pedals, just steer. The first few times you use it, it takes a lot of courage to trust yourself to the vehicle, but believe me, it does a better job than you or I can, and it works every time. If you have been shopping for a compact CUV/SUV, you will have noticed the quickening shift from six- to four-cylinder engines. The reason is they are now just as powerful as the V6s they replace and provide more fuel efficient especially with a six-speed transmission like the new Tucson has. Continued on page 31 Hyundai is embarking on a plan of launching seven new vehicles in the next 24 months starting with the 2010 Tucson compact CUV offering a four-cylinder engine as powerful as the former V6 along with improved fuel economy. tent and a noticeably lower price than its direct competitors. We (the press) tried several ways to get Vernile and others to give us an idea of pricing but they would not budge from saying Hyundai Canada is still negotiating price (at time of writing) with Korea even though the car goes on sale in a few weeks. But on the content side, it's another story. Hyundai is proud the 2010 Tucson will be loaded with standard features like six airbags with rollover protection, active front headrests, electronic stability control with traction control, and get this, hillstart assist control and downhill brake control. When stopped on an uphill grade, the www.OakvilleHonda.com Used Vehicles Finance rates starting from 0.9% * CIVICS 16 TO CHOOSE FROM ACCORDS CING NAN D FI E RAT M FRO STARTING FROM STARTING AT $8,990 $13,590 11 TO CHOOSE FROM 2.9 % MB10183B 2005 Smart - alloy wheels, sport line, Electrical power steering, Electrically adjustable heated mirrors, Glass roof, star blue metallic. $10,400. Six year 120,000km limited warranty SALE PRICE $62,995. CRVs STARTING FROM 30 day exchange policy 100 point mechanical Car proof history repor t on every purchase PILOTS STARTING FROM $16,990 6 TO CHOOSE FROM $24,990 3 TO CHOOSE FROM Thinking Honda? Think Oakville Honda @ QEW & Trafalgar P0535 2005 Mercedes Benz CL230 Kompressor - Automatic Transmission, - Electric Sliding Panorama Sunroof w/Pop-up, - Alloys. SALE PRICE $22,950. SALE PRICE $42,995. 500 Iroquois Shore Rd., Oakville 1-866-685-6281 ©2008 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. *0.9% financing only available through Mercedes-Benz Financial on approved credit for a limited time on Star Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles. Star Certified qualifying vehicles include, 20042007 model year, with less than 80,000km and less than 4 years in service. Finance example: $20,000 at 0.9% per annum equal $653.52 per month for 24 months. Cost of borrowing is $675.12 for a total of $20,675.12. Down payment may be required. License, insurance, taxes, and PPSA are extra. Dealer may sell for less. Please visit Mercedes-Benz Oakville Autohaus for details.