How Hyundai Motor, once a rising star, lost its shine

Reuters ^ | November 4, 2018 / 5:13 PM | Hyunjoo Jin, Ben Klayman, Yilei Sun

[stylin19a]

thanks. I do not have a plug-in hybrid nor is it a full electric. Bummer.

[PAR35]

I was just 6 miles off on the Kia factory. Bigger miss on Hyundai.

At least I know Buicks are made in China are sold in the US.

[SunkenCiv]

Sales are off this year, a mere 14 million sold in 2018. Thanks Zhang Fei.

Axon’s Automotive Anorak: China’s best-selling cars
https://www.goodwood.com/grrc/road/news/2018/4/axons-automotive-anorak-chinas-best-selling-cars/

...the world’s best-selling passenger car that you probably hadn’t heard of, the remarkably unremarkable Wuling Hongguang! This forgettable Chinese-built people carrier has been the best-selling passenger car in the ever-expanding Chinese market for some years now, and sure enough, it retains its top slot once again for 2017 with more than 500,000 sold, based on the official new car registration figures that have only recently been released by the appropriate Chinese authorities. With a staggering 28 million new cars registered there last year, China is by far the largest passenger car market in the world, with the stars of the congested roads of Shanghai and Beijing being cars mostly unknown to us outside of the People’s Republic.

Top 10 Chinese auto brands by H1 sales
By Zhu Lingqing | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2018-07-13 06:40
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201807/13/WS5b47d8c4a310796df4df62ab.html

10. Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp Ltd (JAC Motors)
9. Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd (GAC Group)
8. Chery Automobile Co Ltd
7. China FAW Group Corp
6. Great Wall Motor Co Ltd
5. BAIC Motor
4. Dongfeng Motor Co Ltd
3. Geely Auto Group
2. Chongqing Chang’an Automobile Co
1. SAIC Motor Corp Ltd

[skyman]

I used to make fun of the old Hyundais. Then last year we were ready to buy a new 2017 Honda or Nissan.

Test drove them, then tried a Sonata on a whim. We were impressed. Great quality, great warranty and $3-5k less with the discounts and incentives, very happy with the purchase. Much better than the Impala we had previously.

[Zhang Fei]

the world’s best-selling passenger car that you probably hadn’t heard of, the remarkably unremarkable Wuling Hongguang!

The Wuling Hongguang, a GM co-production with Wuling, seems like a practical-looking car:

The dimensions are similar to the Toyota RAV4, although curb weight is almost 1,000 lbs less.

[Zhang Fei]

[Much better than the Impala we had previously.]

---

What were the major things you felt were better on the Sonata?

[Blue Highway]

I was considering the Ioniq too, but it just looks like a typical small hatchback car compared to the small SUV of the Niro, even those they share the same chassis. I prefer the higher ride of the Niro and the general looks of it. Honestly I wish they'd just make a hybrid version of the Tucson or Sportage.

I guess if its a difference of 50mpg to 60mpg I'll go with the better looking car.

How is the rear visability with the Ioniq? The rear hatch has a small window that looks like a blind spot nightmare,

[SunkenCiv]

I thought they all looked pretty nice, especially that EV.

[stylin19a]

rear window is so slanted that there is a split window.(Photo below) Get used to it after awhile. Driver's side rear view mirror comes with an inserted blind spot mirror. I wish there was a rear wiper. I ended up buying a full spare kit, so I'm carrying more weight.

[Don Corleone]

And not 1 in 10 customers knows what a Genesis is!

Its a nifty ride with all the goodies but a little too pricey for me.

[WASCWatch]

I rented the pretty large Santa Fe a few months ago. Got about 28 around town and over 30 mph on the highway.

[steve86]

“ 429 hp and the same stereo as a Roll Royce “

Did you test-drive both?

[steve86]

“ Hyundai really jumped the gun “

Shark?

[steve86]

“ For some reason, I have been given free subscriptions to 3 different car magazines. “

Interested in a free subscription to Big Dog Choppers and Hot Women?

[Zhang Fei]

[“ Hyundai really jumped the gun “

Shark?]

---

Both.

[SunkenCiv]

It’s really quite a clonelinke version of Chrysler’s minivans, practical, apparently reasonably priced.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Wuling+Hongguang&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&tbm=isch

[SunkenCiv]

A Chang'an BENNI EV is on display at an auto exhibition in Beijing on Oct 13, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

[Blue Highway]

Yeah I think that weird split window would drive me nuts. It's hard enough backing out of parking spaces without seeing to the left or right if you are trapped between 2 huge trucks. The look of it reminds me of the late 80s Merkur cars. On the Merkur it was just a spoiler but still bad visibility.

[Jim from C-Town]

Every major car company has plants in China. All “partnered” with a Front company for the Chinese Communist Party. The Front company: IE; Local Partner, is there to steal technology & make sure importation doesn’t happen.

[PLMerite]

I have a Genesis Coupe 3.8. Zoom!