Aussies deserve a stable Hyundai

After coming under fire, Hyundai is increasing the number of models with electronic stability control.

The Elantra, Tucson City and Getz will get stability control as standard from this month, the South Korean brand has announced.

The trio join the Grandeur, Tiburon and the new iMax van with the safety feature.

The company has been questioned for offering stability control only as an optional extra, despite admitting it is life-saving.

Hyundai Australia executives were questioned about the decision not to offer it as standard on the 3.3-litre Santa Fe at last year's launch.

The new deal is part of the company's rollout of the feature across its range before the State Government's new laws mandating it by 2012 come into effect.

“Our vision is to see electronic stability control mandated across all new vehicles in Australia,” Hyundai Australia's director of sales and marketing Kevin McCann says.

“Our research shows that stability control can reduce the risk of single-car accidents by as much as 68 per cent.”

Hyundai now charges $990 for the ProtectX Pack that offers electronic stability control as part of a safety upgrade.

Hyundai spokeswoman Tiffany Junee says: “Hyundai has been progressively introducing stability control across its range of lifestyle vehicles.”

She says the company completely supports the new Victorian laws.

“We presented at the Victorian Government's vehicle safety inquiry at the end of last year and have invested significantly in training and making the lifesaving technology available to Australian new-car buyers.

“Our research indicates that stability control is the biggest safety technology in motoring since the seatbelt."

“Not surprisingly, we have thrown our full weight behind mandating stability control across all new cars sold in Australia.”