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Auto Blog
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Kia and Hyundai Continue to Shatter Sales Records in Q2 2025
Both Hyundai and Kia have been on a tear this year, and they're still winning big The roller coaster retail economy of 2025 continues to unfold. Kia and Hyundai are two automakers that have been riding the wave since the very beginning, with record Q1 sales this year. And it looks like the party goes on, at least for now. Their red-hot performance continues, with the pair breaking several records and in some cases seeing double-digit percentage volume increases for some of their most popular models. Here's how it all shook out. 2025 Hyundai Sonata N Line 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric 2026 Kia Sportage Kia moved 416,511 vehicles total in the first half of 2025, which marks an eight percent increase year-over-year. Although the brand's battery electric vehicles struggled — the EV9 and EV6 saw considerable drop-offs year-over-year — hybrid models came in clutch. Kia says that hybrid models like the Niro Hybrid and Sorento Hybrid are up 70 percent compared to the same period last year. Another unexpected market shift came in the form of sedans. Sedan models increased 29 percent compared to the first half of 2024, and the new K5 specifically saw 170% growth year-over-year. Similarly, the Carnival, Telluride, Sportage, and K4 models all managed their best-ever first half of the year. Overall, this year marks a record first-half in volume for the brand, with a 12 percent gain over 2024. Hyundai celebrated a great halfway point, too. Just like Kia, the brand celebrates a record-shattering first half of the year, moving 439,280 vehicles. That's a 10 percent increase over the same time period in 2024, driven in part by a 20 percent year-over-year surge in what Hyundai refers to as 'electrified' sales. Interestingly, arguably the brand's flagship EVs, the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, saw a significant downturn from this time last year, dropping 12 and 8 percent, respectively. Buoying sales are the Venue, up 26 percent, and Tucson, up 25 percent. Hyundai also reported a best-ever June for hybrid and electrified vehicles, and the Elantra N and Santa Fe hybrid set new total sales records. 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N 2025 Hyundai Tucson 2025 Hyundai Venue Value plays a big part in both brands' success There's been a lot of good press around the two automakers lately. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis — all technically part of Hyundai Motor Group — tore it up in the 2025 IIHS Safety Rankings and in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study. But another reason sales may be on the rise for the two economy-minded brands is a lack of competition. The Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul are two of the least expensive vehicles on sale today, with the former starting at an unheard-of-in-2025 $20,200. The Kia K4 starts around $23,000, delivering above-average aesthetics and all the technology most customers clamor for. The same goes for the Hyundai Elantra. Looking at the sales figures, you'll see a pattern. The Hyundai Tucson leads among both automakers, moving 16,378 examples, and is cheaper than every one of its competitors. After that comes the Kia Sportage (12,630), followed closely by the Hyundai Elantra (12,412) and Kia K4/Forte (11,564), the latter two of which are similarly discount-priced. Arguably, the success Kia and Hyundai are enjoying is a direct result of their willingness to play in the sandbox that many automakers seem to be neglecting: budget-conscious consumers shopping at the sub-$30,000 mark. Final thoughts There's no other way to say it: Hyundai and Kia are positively killing it this year. It's not entirely surprising; the Korean automakers have come a long way, and their recent vehicles have the critical acclaim to prove it. Now, they have the sales figures, too. It will be interesting to see how long the duo can keep up the record-breaking run, especially as the economy continues to be anything but certain. About the Author Steven Paul View Profile
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
From delivering food to delivering dialogues, the stages in the life of a woman theatre artiste from Kolkata
Sangita Sarkar left Kolkata shortly after the pandemic and now she has returned — only that, back then, she was delivering food for Zomato during the lockdown, and now she is directing a play. For her, the bridge between the two phases was the National School of Drama (NSD). 'I was already a theatre artiste when I joined Zomato. I had graduated from Rabindra Bharati University and was part of the theatre group Bohurupee. I joined Zomato during the lockdown mainly to observe people closely and improve my acting skills, and also to make some money to help those who relied entirely on theatre for a living,' Ms. Sarkar, who has been an actor but is directing a play for the first time, told The Hindu. Titled Moonlight, the play is an adaptation of veteran Marathi playwright Mahesh Elkunchwar's work Sonata, and being staged on the evening of July 1 at the Tapan theatre in Kalighat. It's about three women, single by choice, living together, and the friendship and the trust between them, Ms. Sarkar said. Also read:Thespians hail renaming Kolkata's Star Theatre after Binodini Dasi as historic, yet futile Ms. Sarkar says she was still in school when she first contacted the NSD, hoping that she would get to relocate from one school to another, only to be told that she needed to be a graduate in order to apply for admission. That's when she took up theatre and drama at Kolkata's Rabindra Bharati University. In 2019, she applied for a seat in NSD, and months later came COVID-19. 'That's one period I don't want to think about, and yet I cannot ever forget it. That was a time when people could not reach people, they were imprisoned in their homes. I still remember the anxiety of people stationed abroad, who would order food for elderly parents living in Kolkata. I always believed that no job is lowly and the pandemic proved it. Those delivering food may be considered at the bottom of the social pyramid but back then, they were as important as doctors,' Ms. Sarkar said. The resident of Belgharia spent about six months working for Zomato in the early part of 2021, getting a valuable opportunity for human interactions, something that was otherwise missing at the time. 'When a delivery person walks into a restaurant and when a customer walks in — the way they are treated is so different. Only once, when it was raining, did a restaurant owner ask me to wait inside and offered me tea, and asked me if I had eaten. That's one gesture I can never forget,' Ms. Sarkar said. By early 2022, she had joined the NSD, and that experience, like her work for Zomato, turned out to be an insight into human behaviour. 'The NSD broadened my horizons. It made me rich. Once you are there, you rise above caste, language, religion. A place like that makes you wonder why people indulge in violence, why there are wars in the first place,' the artiste said. She recollected her most memorable moment at Zomato, and how it connected to her life as an artiste. 'Once when I rang the bell, the door was opened by a very young girl. She was surprised to see that a woman had come to deliver food on a scooter. Her look was that of amazement and admiration. I can never forget that. In fact, in NSD, we were once asked to perform a 'happy moment' scene, and I borrowed a T-shirt from a Zomato boy to recreate my encounter with this young girl,' Ms. Sarkar said.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hyundai Finishes Second Among Mass-Market Brands in J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study; Santa Cruz Named Top Midsize Pickup
Hyundai rises to second among mass-market brands Hyundai ranks third in the industry overall for the second year in a row Santa Cruz Top Midsize Pickup for the second consecutive year Hyundai Sonata finishes second in the Midsize Car segmenti Hyundai Elantra finishes third in the Compact Car segment Hyundai Palisade finishes third in Upper Midsize SUV segmentii FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai ranked second among mass-market brands and third overall in the industry for the second consecutive year in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS)℠. For vehicles, the Hyundai Santa Cruz was the highest-ranked Midsize Pickup for the second year in a row. This recognition reinforces Santa Cruz's reputation for bold design, everyday versatility, and exceptional quality. Additionally, the Sonata finished second and the Elantra and Palisade each secured third place in their respective segments. Hyundai's rise to second among mass-market brands in the J.D. Power 2025 IQS reflects our entire Hyundai Motor Group team applying relentless collaboration and focus on quality," said Barry Ratzlaff, chief customer officer, Hyundai Motor North America. "Santa Cruz leading the midsize pickup segment for the second year in a row is no coincidence; this vehicle was designed to be different, and thanks to the dedication of our teams, it's not just turning heads, it's delivering where it matters most: quality, and driver confidence. IONIQ 5 improved significantly with key updates and the launch from the new metaplant in Georgia. The New Santa Fe from HMMA launched with a better score than the prior generation. Recognition for Sonata, Elantra, and Palisade further reinforces the strength and consistency of our entire lineup." Underneath its distinctive styling, the Santa Cruz delivers refined driving dynamics, clever storage solutions, and an interior packed with technology. These features make it equally at home on city streets and backcountry roads. With a robust powertrain, standard safety features, and intuitive connectivity, it offers the versatility of a pickup with the polish of a crossover. Study Highlights: The J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study is based on responses from 92,694 purchasers and lessees of new 2025 model-year vehicles surveyed early in their ownership period. This is the study's 39th year. J.D. Power measures initial quality by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership. A lower score reflects higher quality. Conducted between June 2024 through May 2025, the J.D. Power 2025 IQS study is the result of Voice of the Customer (VOC) questions plus relevant repair data survey results organized into 10 categories: infotainment; features, control and displays; exterior; driving assistance; interior; powertrain; seats; driving experience; climate; and unspecified (unique to repair). The study is designed to provide automakers with information to help identify problems and drive product improvement. About J.D. PowerJ.D. Power is a global leader in automotive data and analytics, and provides industry intelligence, consumer insights and advisory solutions to the automotive industry and selected non-automotive industries. J.D. Power leverages its extensive proprietary datasets and software capabilities combined with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence tools to help its clients optimize business performance. J.D. Power was founded in 1968 and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit The J.D. Power auto-shopping tool can be found at Hyundai Motor AmericaHyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok i Tied in 2025 with the Chevrolet Malibu ii Tied in 2025 with the Nissan Pathfinder View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- India Gazette
Robbers decamp with cash over Rs 30 lakh, kulfis worth Rs 1000 in two separate thefts in Delhi
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Two separate robbery incidents in the national capital have been reported within four days. The first case took place in Vasant Kunj South on June 23, while the second was recorded in the Keshavpuram area on June 19, Delhi Police said. In the incident reported from Vasant Kunj South on June 23, a robbery worth 30 lakh was reported. The victim, Karan Chopra, a city gas distributor, informed police that three to four people forcibly entered his house and looted cash amounting to 30 lakh. The station house officer (SHO), along with police officials, reached the spot after receiving information and called the crime team for an inspection of the crime scene. A case has been registered under Sections 309(4), 331(6), 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Vasant Kunj South. Police stated that while some suspects have been identified, efforts are underway to trace the remaining accused. The investigation is currently ongoing. Meanwhile, on June 19 night in the Keshavpuram area of the national capital, three men robbed a shopowner at knifepoint. The shop owner, Dharmendra, told police that around 11 pm while he was cleaning his shop, two men wearing caps and masks entered and threatened him. When he tried to leave, one of the robbers in a red cap restrained him with a knife and asked for the cashbox. They decamped with 43,000 in cash, an iPhone 11, a silver Sonata watch, some visiting cards, copies of Aadhaar and PAN cards, and even kulfis worth 1,000 from the refrigerator. The shopkeeper told police that a third person was seen waiting outside on a motorcycle, and the trio fled the scene soon after the robbery. Police have registered a case under sections 309(4) and 3(5) of the BNS and are actively investigating the case. (ANI)
India.com
22-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Analogue Watches: Grab Yours at Myntra Big Brands Bash (18 to 22 June 2025)
During the Myntra Big Brands Bash (18 to 22 June 2025), analogue watches for both men and women are available at discounted prices. These watches are simple, elegant, and suitable for daily use or formal occasions. You can choose from leather straps, metal bands, and classic dials. This sale is a good opportunity to buy a quality watch at a lower price. Sonata Embellished Dial Analogue Watch Image Source: Order Now This stylish timepiece from Sonata features an embellished dial that pairs effortlessly with the silver-toned stainless steel strap. Designed to add refinement to formal or semi-formal attire, the analogue display is both functional and fashion-forward. Whether worn to the office, festive gatherings, or evening events, it delivers sophistication without trying too hard. Key Features: Embellished dial enhances its formal aesthetic and appeal Durable stainless steel bracelet strap adds polish and shine Classic round case with easy-to-read time markers and layout Reliable quartz movement ensures accurate and uninterrupted timekeeping Might feel slightly heavy for minimalist watch users or narrow wrists Titan Black Dial Watch Image Source: Order Now Minimalism meets bold style in this elegant black-dial Titan watch. Featuring a stainless steel strap and a sleek case, it's the ideal accessory for men who appreciate timeless design. The versatile look transitions smoothly from workdays to weekend dinners, offering lasting elegance without being loud. Key Features: Black dial adds understated luxury and visual contrast Stainless steel strap offers durability and a premium feel Slim case design suits formal wear and special occasions Water-resistant construction ideal for regular or daily use Strap links may require resizing for slimmer wrists or tighter fit WROGN Dial & Leather Straps Analogue Watch Image Source: Order Now This WROGN analogue watch brings a rugged yet refined appeal with its bold dial and supple leather strap. The design is perfect for contemporary wardrobes, blending a modern silhouette with vintage flair. Whether styled with a casual tee, jackets, or a crisp shirt, it makes a strong visual statement. Key Features: Large dial design adds modern rugged character and personality Textured leather strap delivers casual comfort and soft feel Contrasting hands and markers enhance clarity and readability Perfect for casual, festive, or semi-formal dressing Leather strap may show signs of wear and aging over time Roadster Bracelet Style Analogue Watch Image Source: Order Now From The Lifestyle Co., this Roadster analogue watch is a classic choice with its clean display and bracelet-style strap. It is designed for everyday sophistication, offering an effortlessly refined finish to any outfit. The metallic profile gives it a bold and confident touch suited for all-day, everyday wear. Key Features: Simple dial layout ideal for easy time checks at a glance Bracelet-style metal strap adds urban elegance and durability Versatile enough for both workwear and smart casuals looks Designed to match a variety of wrist sizes with ease Might not appeal to those who prefer digital or smart features Analogue watches are a useful and stylish accessory. The Myntra Big Brands Bash (18 to 22 June 2025) gives you a chance to buy them at reduced prices. These watches are durable and designed with attention to detail. Whether you are buying for yourself or as a gift, now is a good time to purchase. Disclaimer: At IDPL, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. It should not be construed as an endorsement to buy. IDPL may make a very small commission from its sale if one chooses to buy the product from any of the links in this article.
