National Press Release

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wheels Media, Inc. - publisher of African Americans On Wheels, Asians On Wheels, and Latinos On Wheels - named the Hyundai Genesis Car of the Year at the 2009 Urban Wheel Awards. The prestigious award, presented during the North American International Auto Show held at the Detroit Opera House, recognizes Hyundai's effort in raising the automotive bar with the introduction of the all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis.

"Hyundai is honored to have On Wheels Media, a giant in multicultural automotive multimedia, select the 2009 Hyundai Genesis as the Urban Wheels Awards Car of the Year," said Dave Zuchowski, vice president, national sales, Hyundai Motor America. "The United States is a diversified market. Hyundai focuses on producing vehicles that meet universal satisfaction and this award is proof-positive that the face of Hyundai has translated well throughout."

Held in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show since 1996, the annual Urban Wheel Awards produced by On Wheels Media, Inc., is the automotive industry's premier diversity awards ceremony. The Urban Wheel Awards honor pioneering automotive industry leaders and serve as an educational vehicle to increase awareness among minority audiences about the importance of diversity to the industry. Awards are presented in categories including: Company of the Year, Minority Executive of the Year, Diversity in Motorsports, Urban Car of the Year and Urban Truck of the Year; voted on by an independent panel of automotive journalists. Consumers also play a role in the Urban Wheel Awards, selecting their favorite diversity-oriented automotive advertisements through online voting.

The 2009 Hyundai rear-wheel drive Genesis sedan offers capabilities and features comparable to the world's leading premium sports sedans at a more reasonable price. It is fully equipped with a powerful, world-class Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine that delivers 375 horsepower, segment-leading standard safety features such as electronic active head restraints, technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans including XM NavTraffic, an Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFLS), and a Lexicon(R) audio system; and The Hyundai Advantage: America's Best Warranty - Hyundai's 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Genesis five-star crash test ratings for both frontal and side-impact crash tests, the highest government rankings under the agency's New Car Assessment Program. Additionally, every Genesis, as well as all other Hyundai vehicles, is covered by the "Hyundai Assurance Program", a complimentary vehicle return program for the first year on every new Hyundai that is financed or leased for owners who experience an involuntary loss of income within 12 months of the purchase date.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide.

Journalists are invited to visit our news media web site: www.hyundainews.com

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America