Hyundai Santa Fe Wins On Safety, Yet Again

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Santa Fe wins on safety, yet again

One of New Zealand's most popular SUVs, the Hyundai Santa Fe, has been highlighted in another US safety survey.

Yet another top safety rating for the Hyundai Santa Fe

In simulated crashes conducted by the insurance industry, the powerful IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has named the Santa Fe among the best performers of 2007.

"The test results ... found several SUVs had improved protections against whiplash injuries but gave poor marks to vehicles made by several leading automakers, including BMW AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.," commented the report.

BMW X3 and X5 and Lexus GX470 and RX were among vehicles rated poorly.

The simulated rear crashes at 20 miles per hour (approx 32 kph) showed that many large vehicles fall short in protecting against neck injuries.

"In stop-and-go commuter traffic, you're more likely to get in a rear-end collision than any other crash type," said IIHS vice-president David Zuby.

"It's not a major feat of engineering to design seats and head restraints that afford good protection in these common crashes."

* Hyundai is on a meteoric rise in New Zealand with almost 400 percent growth in four years and numerous new locations among its 23 dealerships. The brand has been imported into New Zealand by the Giltrap Group for the past 25 years.

* Worldwide Hyundai was the sixth largest automaker in 2006, selling in 193 countries and employing 50,000 people. Forty years old, Hyundai has targeted customer satisfaction as its 2007 keynote, part of the brand's overall aim to become global quality leader.

* Hyundai is a committed sponsor of sports and cultural organisations in New Zealand and worldwide. See www.hyundai.co.nz

* For further information about Hyundai vehicles in New Zealand, including high resolution images and an archive of press releases, log onto the dedicated Hyundai Media website at www.hyundai.co.nz/media

* For the international media news room, where you can download press releases, high-resolution photos, as well as preview and request broadcast-standard video which will be delivered digitally or by tape, visit www.thenewsmarket.com/HyundaiMotor. Registration and video is free to accredited media.

ENDS

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