Hyundai Motor America announced last week plans for two all-new vehicles with six- and seven-passenger seating. These vehicles -- an innovative six-passenger cross-over similar to the Portico concept vehicle shown at the Chicago Auto Show this February, and a seven-passenger unibody SUV -- will be launched in place of the traditional minivan Hyundai had previously announced.

"When we considered the evolution of the minivan, cross-over, and SUV segments; the changing needs of our target customers; and the development of our Hyundai brand toward refinement, leadership, and innovation, we felt the best strategy was to focus on unique crossover and SUV solutions, and leave the traditional minivan for others," said Robert Cosmai, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "With this move, Hyundai is saying we're absolutely committed to delivering our new brand identity and ensuring we stay appropriately differentiated from other brands. The long-term benefit of these two all-new, innovative products far out shadows the value the minivan might have delivered to our customers, our dealers, and our brand."

The all-new SUV will seat seven adults in a package about the same size as the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer, and will enter production late next year. "This is a new and innovative approach to the segment -- we see it setting a new benchmark that combines modern design, sophisticated engineering, and creative packaging for consumers who need seating for seven," said John Krafcik, Hyundai's Vice-President of Product Development and Strategic Planning. "With a powerful, efficient, and refined 3.8-liter V-6 engine; 6-speed automatic transmission; seating for seven adults; and segment-leading standard safety equipment like Electronic Stability Control and side curtain airbags, we're confident this new product will raise the bar for safety, sophistication and value in the upper-midsize SUV category."

Hyundai's new cross-over vehicle, scheduled to launch about two years after the new SUV, will feature a unique seating layout and a remarkable level of passenger/cargo flexibility. "We've been encouraged by the response to the Portico concept vehicle we showed in Chicago this year, and the design team has continued to make great progress, so we're accelerating the development of the production version," said Bob Cosmai. "This is the type of vehicle we want people to associate with the Hyundai brand -- it's a breakthrough concept with style, safety, and interior flexibility that will provide an exciting alternative to a traditional minivan."

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 660 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.