Hyundai, Kia unveil new cars at L.A. motor show

South Korean automakers Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. said Thursday that they have premiered a new concept car and showcased new models at a U.S. auto show in a bid to strengthen their presence in the world’s second-biggest market.

Hyundai said it unveiled its Veloster C3 concept for the first time at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show that runs through Dec. 9.

The new Veloster concept is a three-door convertible with Hyundai’s gamma 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine, said the company. Hyundai said the driver can roll down the roll top and drop the rear seat, enabling the car to haul large items such as surfboards or a bicycle Hyundai said a new larger sports utility vehicle is also on display at the L.A. exhibition, with a longer wheelbase and increased overall length for more passenger space. The SUV will be rolled out in the United States in the first half of next year, said the carmaker.

Its smaller affiliate Kia Motors Corp. also showed off its new cars to attract U.S. customers.

The redesigned Forte compact made its U.S. debut at the auto show, equipped with a 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter GDi engine, said Kia.

The 2014 Forte, already launched in South Korea under the name of the K3, has a longer and wider body for roomier inside space, with light-emitting diode headlights and a lower bumper on the outside.

Kia also unveiled the facelift model of its popular Sorento mid-size crossover at the L.A. motor show, with improved exterior and interior design. An improved 2.4-liter or 3.3-liter GDi engine are part of the new Sorento. The Sorento is Kia’s second-best selling model in the United States after the Optima sedan. (Yonhap News)