I think just about everyone has heard of the Hyundai Assurance Program. After all they did run an ad about it during that viewed-by-everyone event, the Super Bowl. You can get the full details of Hyundai’s Assurance Program here, but this is the gist: Buy a new Hyundai, and if you lose your income within the first year you own it, you may return the car, and without it impacting your credit.

I’m guessing most people do not think of Hyundai as an American car, but maybe we should. In the current economic climate the Assurance Program is about the most American thing I’ve seen any company do.

If I were in the market for a new car, Hyundai would have my attention, especially with the new 2010 Genesis Coupe (But I won’t get into that now. I’ll save the Coupe for my video test drive next week. Be sure to check back!)

But that speaks to my point. Hyundai is hitting all the right notes. Not only are they providing economic security and affordability with the Assurance Program, they continue to offer some of the best fuel efficiency and style around. I guess that’s why I’m not terribly surprised to see that Hyundai was just about equal in terms of February 2009 sales in comparison to February 2008, whereas most brands posted between 30 and 50 percent lower sales figures.

Hyundai has always built reliable, affordable cars that they stand behind with a big warranty, and as they have begun to offer price-appealing style and luxury in the Genesis and the Assurance guarantee to help buyers make confident decision, car buyers have really started to take notice—just as you’ll see in the video below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0JiYAAqDgE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999]

What I like most about that news clip is how astonished the car shoppers are that the Assurance Program is exactly what it appears to be. It is not a trick to get shoppers into the showrooms. It is the real deal, aimed at treating customers the best way possible in an economy that is rough for everyone.