Hyundai has tapped director Wes Anderson for two of its seven 30-second spots that will premiere during the Oscars telecast on Sunday. All seven spots once again feature Hyundai America brand voice, Oscar-winner Jeff Bridges.

"Talk to My Car," above, promotes (in Hyundai's words) "the idea that you can talk to your car is no longer fantasy or science fiction, thanks to Hyundai's Blue Link. This innovative technology makes driving safer, easier and more fun. By keeping your 2012 Azera connected at all times, Blue Link can help you find a gas station or a shortcut, learn about mechanical issues, get regular maintenance alerts, call for help and even find you a great Italian restaurant nearby."Continue reading...

Hyundai has kept the pedal to the metal for years now in its bid to become one of the major players in the global economy and, especially, the U.S. market.

It began with a trailblazing 100,000-mile warranty, was strengthened with the company’s “Assurance” advertising campaign in 2009, and emerged impressively in its major market-share pickup over the last two years.

Now, at a press preview for the North American International Auto Show today, South Korea’s dominant automaker may be indicating that it’s taking another major step in a fast evolution toward the top.Continue reading...

General Motors has been promoting its OnStar “telematics” brand as a standalone marque for many years — nearly since the pioneering automotive safety-and-security services package became available on GM vehicles in 1996.

Now, in an about-face announced this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, GM is going to make an OnStar package available to anyone on an aftermarket basis at Best Buy stores nationwide, in the form of a technologically enabled rear-view mirror. It will retail for $299 and come with an $18.95 monthly (or $199 yearly) service fee.

GM is showing off OnStar's abilities with a Verizon 4G-integrated concept car at CES, above.Continue reading...