The Sonata was launched in Europe in June 1989, as the third model to be sold there following the Hyundai brand's European launch in 1982. Some Canadian Sonatas, starting with 500 cars in 1989, were exported to Taiwan to avoid that country's import quota on South Korean cars. Hyundai and Chrysler had planned to sell 30,000 Canadian-built Sonatas yearly in the United States beginning in 1991, under Chrysler's Eagle brand. Sonatas were built in Ulsan, Korea, and in Bromont, Quebec. It replaced the Stellar as Hyundai's large family car. The vehicle received a mid-term facelift in 1991. The exterior was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. It was presented on 14 November 1988 in the United States as a 1989 model, with sales beginning early 1989, and in March 1989 in Australia. It was then introduced in Canada in September 1988 as a 1989 model, where it also entered production locally during 1989. It was introduced in South Korea on 1 June 1988. The Y2 Sonata was part of Hyundai's expansion in North America after the success of the Excel. Afterwards, Hyundai discontinued the Stellar and replaced it with the all-new Sonata. The final version of the Stellar was known as the Stellar 88 and was launched to celebrate the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. The original importer was a unit of the Auckland-based Giltrap Motor Group. It was sold in New Zealand (right hand drive) with the 1.6-liter Mitsubishi engine with the five-speed manual gearbox an automatic transmission was an optional extra. The body was a largely unchanged Hyundai Stellar. The latter unit also found its way into the 1987 and later Stellar, and in MPI form the 1986 Hyundai Grandeur. The vehicle was unveiled in South Korea on 4 November 1985.Įngine choices included 1.6-liter Mitsubishi Saturn (only available outside the domestic market), 1.8- and 2.0-liter Mitsubishi Sirius inline-fours. The Sonata was sold only in the South Korean domestic market. In 1987 Hyundai added two tone color schemes and a trip computer option, but sales soon went down and the car was discontinued in December of that year. In the domestic market Hyundai attempted to sell the Sonata as an executive car using catchphrases like "Luxury car for VIP" however, as the Sonata was based on the Stellar without any major changes, it was seen by the public as no more than a luxury version of the Stellar. The Sonata was available with two trim options in Korea: Luxury and Super (the latter only available with a 2.0-liter engine). It included cruise control, power seats, head lamp washers, power brakes, electric operated adjustable side mirrors and chrome bumper trims. The first Sonata was introduced to compete with the Daewoo Royale series and was a more luxurious version of the Stellar. See also: Hyundai Stellar 1987 Hyundai Sonata (South Korea)
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