The Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS has been named South Africa’s Car of the Year for 2012 in the annual competition held by the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists and WesBank.
 
It is the first time that a Korean brand has been awarded the South African Car of the Year prize. The 2011 competition had two finalists from Hyundai – the ix35 and Sonata – with the i20 a finalist in the 2010 Car of the Year competition.

The Elantra’s South African win adds to a number of accolades for the sedan. In January, at the Detroit Motor Show, the Elantra was announced as the North American Car of the Year, and it also won the overall prize in the Canadian Car of the Year competition.
 
“We are extremely proud of the recognition that a world-class product such as the Hyundai Elantra has received from the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists,” says Hyundai Automotive South Africa MD Alan Ross.
 
“This award, and the fact that we had no less than two finalists in the previous competition, is confirmation of the giant strides that the Hyundai brand has made locally and globally. It is also recognition of the quality and emotional appeal that Hyundai products have developed.”

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