After months of being in virtual limbo, the Hyundai brand finally makes a comeback with a new company and a new philosophy. Hyundai Motor Philippines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Corporation of South Korea, will now be the exclusive and official distributor of Hyundai passenger cars in the Philippines.

The brand's former distributor, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. or HARI, will now only sell Hyundai trucks and commercial vehicles. 

Headed by its new president, Lee Dong Wok, HMPH will focus on bringing in new models that will cater to the needs and wants of the market. And this includes electric vehicles, as HMPH will have its leading EV contender, the IONIQ 5, on display at the Philippine International Motor Show from September 15 to 18, 2022. 

Having come in late to the fold of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. or CAMPI, Hyundai will have a modest display at PIMS that will feature its first batch of new products.

The Hyundai Creta enters the B-segment crossover category with its 1.5-liter Smartstream engine and Intelligent Variable Transmission drivetrain. Equipped with 17-inch wheels, LED lights, and penned under Hyundai's "Sensuous Sportiness" design language, the Creta is priced from Php 998,000 to Php 1,332,000 depending on the variant. 

For larger families, HMPH introduced the Hyundai Staria van. The futuristic exterior complements the VIP finish of its 7-seater interiors. As the popular Hyundai Starex replacement, the Staria is also available in 11-seater commuter and 3-seater cargo van options. It starts at Php 1,560,000 for the manual transmission cargo variant and reaches up to Php 2,930,000 for the 2.2-liter CRDi engine and 8-speed automatic transmission-equipped Premium variant.

The Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe complete the initial lineup of HMPH in the country. The Tucson's Parametric Jewel Pattern grilles and hidden LED DRL signifies a stunning statement on Hyundai's design direction. 

The Tucson's price starts from Php 1,570,000, while the 7-seater Santa Fe, with its 2.2-liter CRDi mill, is pegged at Php 2,420,000

Hyundai Motor Philippines' new mandate also includes improving its after-sales image through a nationwide service campaign and warranty program. It will also expand its current national dealership base from 38 to 45 in the coming year. 

Are you excited about what the new Hyundai distributor is bringing into the market?