The article points out something different about Hyundai -— Hyundai is now a full line car seller here, from low-priced to luxury cars. Next summer, they will have a luxury car costing $50,000 to $60,000, that’s a foot longer than the Mercedes E-Class, called Equus.
Hyundai is also creating low-end and fuel-stingy models called “Blue Edition” starting next model year. A new Sonata—that’s the midsize family sedan—comes next year, and there will be a hybrid Sonata, too, its first, with a new type of battery called lithium polymer.
The odd thing is this —— There’s no separate dealer group for luxury Hyundais.
Toyota has Lexus, Nissan has Infiniti, Honda has Acura, but Hyundai sells its $15,000 cars and $40,000 cars in the same showroom.
I wonder how this is going to play out... will the rich, monied people want to shop in the same place with the less well off ?
Our company CEO, who runs a $1.2 BILLION dollar company, just bought a Hynundai Genesis as his daily driver. He’ll let ANYBODY in the company drive it.
Of course, we’re trying to get the new Genesis starter contract, but it is a hell of a car.
I drove the Sonata earlier this year.
Not bad, and the MP3 player that uses USB “memory sticks” was a great idea. That, and the included Sirus radio made the 10 hour drives very enjoyable.
My father has a Lexus LS460 (his seventh Lexus since the very first LS400), and it’s in an entirely different league than even the Genesis. While Hyundai’s “luxury” cars offer the best value for the buck, they’re still not quite “LS” or “S” class vehicles.
That's a silly question. In the '70s the Lincoln-Mercury dealers had showrooms with Bobcats sitting next to Continentals. They did just fine.
I think putting all the cars in one showroom gives you a better shot at upsell. If it turns out I can afford a Lexus but I’m at the Toyota dealer I’m probably not going to get a Lexus. If I can afford a high Hyundai I’ll find out there.