Report: Hyundai May Build New Elantra in U.S., Move Santa Fe Production to Kia Plant

A Korean newspaper has reported that Hyundai plans to build the North American market version of its new Elantra saloon (otherwise known as the Avante) at its Alabama plant starting from April 2011 in order to reduce costs.

The report from The Chosun Ilbo, which cites a Korean Hyundai spokesman as its source, goes on to say that the Elantra will replace the current Santa Fe SUV at the Alabama factory adding that the Santa Fe's replacement, which is due in mid-2011, will be moved to sister company Kia's plant in Georgia.

It is also noted in the report that for the first time, Hyundai will install engines made by its China-affiliate in the U.S.-spec Elantra.

Now, Hyundai produces only the Sonata sedan and Santa Fe in the U.S., with the current versions of the Elantra and Accent being imported from South Korea.

If true, the move to build the Elantra in the U.S. is said to drastically reduce exports from the firm's Korean plants as last year, Hyundai shipped around 103,000 units of the car to the States.

Source: Chosun

VIDEO: 2011 Hyundai Elantra / Avante Sedan gets Animated

Earlier today, Hyundai pulled the wraps off the all-new 2011 Avante, or as we will come to know it, the next generation of the Elantra sedan. Along with the first details and photos, the South Korean automaker also released an animated film on the new Elantra that you can check out right after the jump.

The news of the 2011 Elantra comes only days after the unveiling of its smaller brethren, the new Accent saloon. Both cars pick up styling cues from their bigger brother, the Sonata, which is already on sale in the U.S. For more details on the latest generation of the Elantra, click here to read out previous post.

All-New Hyundai Elantra / Avante Sedan Unveiled at Busan Motor Show

Only days after the unveiling of the new Accent small sedan (Verna for South Korea) in Beijing, Hyundai rolled out the next generation of its Elantra saloon - badged as the Avantre in its home market- at the 2010 Busan International Motor Show today.

Boasting a much sportier look than its rather dull predecessor, the new Elantra continues Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design philosophy in a package that most automakers would describe today as a "four-door coupe".

There are no photos of the new Elantra's cabin, but we assume that the interior styling will be heavily influenced by the larger Sonata.

Hyundai has kept most technical details to itself, but the South Korean maker did reveal that the front-wheel drive Elantra / Avante will be offered with a new 1.6-liter Gamma Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The four-cylinder unit is rated at 140-horsepower and 166Nm or 122 lb-ft of peak torque, and according to Hyundai, "it's about 10 percent more fuel efficient than its closest competitors."

Tech goodies will include HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, LED combination lamps in the rear, heated rear seats, puddle lamps and a color TFT LCD information display nestled in the gauge cluster.

"The new Avante encompasses Hyundai's latest ambitions, featuring the best styling and performance in its class," Steve S. Yang, President & CEO of Hyundai's Global Business Division, said at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) today. "We're confident that it will once again redefine the compact segment worldwide."

South Korean sales of the Avante are expected to start in the second half of 2010, with the rest of the world to follow either towards the end of the year or early 2011.