Becoming a major player in the world’s automotive market means succeeding in the U.S. But how do little known pipsqueaks make it in America? By giving American’s what they want: More. As we reported earlier this week, Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia can’t keep cars in stock, and the twosome have enjoyed explosive growth, while others have been muddling through the recession.
Key to the winning formula is offering more for your money. Logical. But it appears that Hyundai and Kia may be planning a 10-speed transmission (yes that’s correct, ten). Gone are the days when five-speeds were cool and six-speeds were reserved for sports cars. We’re now seeing eight-speed automatic transmissions, developed to allow better acceleration, while also improving fuel economy.
According to Bloomberg News, Park Seong Hyon, president of Hyundai Motor Group, says Hyundai and Kia are developing 10-speed transmissions to be installed in their luxury sedans by 2014. Park added the Hyundai Equus and Hyundai Genesis could be among the models tapped to receive the new transmissions.
Source: Bloomberg
