Hyundai to 'gazump' Kia on Euro-style offering?
It looks likely Hyundai will launch its new generation Euro-designed hatch a year or more before KiaKia's Cee'd may have launched first in Europe, but it now seems possible Hyundai will be the first to launch a Cee'd-based car Down Under.
Kia has already stated its third-generation Euro-designed and built hatch may not make it to Australia until late 2008 -- at the earliest! Meantime, Hyundai seems set to debut its Arnejs (pictured, more
) interpretation of the Cee'd platform here as early as sometime this year.Captured undergoing final cold weather testing, the Arnejs looks thoroughly ready for launch months ahead of its expected world debut at the Frankfurt show in September. It will go on sale in Europe soon after.
The difference between the two local timetables is related to production. While the Kia is built only in Europe, the Hyundai will reportedly be built in both Korea and, eventually, at Hyundai's yet-to-be completed plant in the Czech Republic.
With Arnejs production kicking off in Korea, we will almost certainly get the car first-up. And that translates to a late 2007 launch in Australia.
According to local Hyundai sources, the car is unlikely to wear the Arnejs nameplate when it does arrive. Elantra is still the favoured nameplate according to Hyundai Australia.
-- with Carparazzi
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