The Auto Writer

The 2010 Hyundai ix35.

The 2010 Hyundai ix35 is all new, a compact sport/utility vehicle that will be introduced to the world next month at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. But that isn’t stopping Hyundai Motors from teasing us with how the SUV will look, releasing a pair of sketches in advance of its roll out.

Finding Growth Among Compact SUVs

Replacing the Hyundai Tucson, the newly minted ix35 represents what the automaker says is a “bold step forward” in the evolution of the compact SUV.  This sort of update could propel the ix35 beyond the success of the Tucson which has been a proven seller in what is called the C-segment SUV range. That range is occupied by the likes of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.

“SUVs have been a cornerstone of our success for many years and have helped to raise awareness of the Hyundai brand in Europe,” says Allan Rushforth, Vice-President of Hyundai Motor Europe.  “With Tucson in particular we have demonstrated our expertise in producing SUVs which not only meet consumer expectations but also help to shape the sector itself.”

Bringing Nuvis To Life

Frankfurt is the logical place for the Hyundai ix35 to make its debut. Designed and engineered at Hyundai’s design and technical center in Frankfurt, the ix35 captures the “fluid styling” that has appeared in recent Hyundai concepts including the Nuvis.

The larger Hyundai Santa Fe will continue, receiving a mid-life makeover for 2010. A new SUV, dubbed the ix-55 will soon join the line up, replacing the Veracruz. Thus, it is safe to assume that when the next generation Santa Fe is released in the next few years that it’ll be renamed the ix45. It looks like Hyundai is switching to an alpha-numeric nomenclature for its SUV/crossover models.

World’s Fourth Largest Automaker

Hyundai’s global sales are surging, putting Hyundai-Kia ahead of the Ford Motor Company as the world’s fourth largest automaker. Indeed, in July 2009, both Hyundai and Kia saw its US sales increase thanks in part to the “cash for clunkers” program which began on July 24th.

Last week, Hyundai announced that the Hyundai Equus, its largest sedan would begin to be sold in the US by late 2010 as 2011 model. That sedan will compete against the likes of the BMW 7-Series, helping Hyundai expand deeper into the luxury car segment.

Source: Hyundai Motor Company

The 2010 Hyundai ix35.