Bulletin staff report

For the first time in several years, a new automotive line has come to Central Oregon.

Thomas Sales and Service in east Bend is now a sales and service dealer for Korea-based Hyundai, which has a line of cars and light trucks ranging from an entry-level coupe priced at $8,995 to a luxury sedan called the XG 300, which lists for $23,000.

A sports-utility vehicle called the Santa Fe will be in stock this week, said Matt Thomas, who, with his brother Bill Thomas ,owns Thomas Sales and Service.

Matt Thomas said Hyundais will be sold and serviced at the company’s location at 611 NE Purcell, which also features the Subaru line.

”We think Hyundais will do very well in Central Oregon,” he said.

According to Hyundai, sales of its vehicles rose 49 percent in 2000 from the previous year and set a 10-year record.

Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. The company’s cars and light trucks are sold and serviced through more than 500 dealerships nationwide.