I think GM is alot more concerned about Hyundai than Hyundai about GM. GM cars have not scored too well in long term reliability and quality surveys. Hyundai for the past 5 years has been scoring much better in long term quality and reliability surveys and thats why the Korean automaker is selling alot of cars all over the world now. You can’t deny the fact that the build quality and overall reliability of Hyundais is very good, and at attractives prices and amazing warranties, its hard to ignore them.

moto; Have you heard of the life senteces for several Hyundai execs over last couple years. They arent worried about GM at all.
To say they are over hyping the Genesis is like saying Paris Hilton gets a little attention.

They said it. They haven’t gotten it done for 3 years, with a all-new lineup, from top to bottom.
Hyundai is more full of crap than the domestics!
They said they’d hit 550k in 2007.
Sales have gone up less than 3% since 2004.
Why would sales increase now that their lineup is getting stale?
Sonata and Elantra are in free fall, and they want to build $30k cars?
9 vehicles, less than 500k sales is pathetic!
And the Genesis will only take sales from Azera.
Hyundai has been bringing up Toyota and Lexus in their advertising, and they pulled on Superman’s cape.
Now look at your a$$!
Just as simple and sorry as you can be.
DrFill

Dr. Fill and others: all good points about Hyundai’s problems. I interested to see if the Genesis will cut into Azera’s sales. I’ll admit I’m not up to snuff on the Azera specs, but my impression is that the Genesis is targeted at those who want to trade up (based on Genesis’ anticipated feature content, power, etc.). We’ll see.

I don’t think a $30k sedan spells gloom and doom–there is a considerable market out there for a $30k sedan. It’s just a matter of Hyundai convincing people to get onto Hyundai’s lots.

Also 2008 should be better, because it’ll be a full year with some revamped SUV/CUV’s out there (Veracruz, and I think even the Santa Fe was updated too).

nobody wants to spend $30K on a Hyundai.

“I think GM is alot more concerned about Hyundai than Hyundai about GM. GM cars have not scored too well in long term reliability and quality surveys. ”

What surveys are you talking about? Not JD powers obviously. CR is the only publication that routinely rates Hyundais as more reliable than American brands.

Hyundai does have to worry about GM in the US market because oftentimes people end up “settling” for a GM or Hyundai model because they cant afford the Toyota or Honda they really want. for many people the Hyundai seemed like the better option because it wasnt American and they have the 10 year warranty. As GM’s image improves and the stigma of owning an American car fades it will make it difficult for Hyundai to attract current american car owners. Much of the success of all import brands in recent years is due to lack of satisfaction with a domestic product or the idea that the domestics arent competitive with there new offerings. In GM’s case those concerns seem to be fading it its inevitable that marketshare gains for Hyundai, Toyota, etc. will stagnate or be reversed.

Scarface
This is what Hyundai execs are missing
If people aren’t really buying your standard lineup, where is your business case for ask for higher prices?
VW made the same mistake.
Hyundai thinks just because they build it, they will come.
Uh Uh.
They aren’t ready to GET high price sales yet.
They are still Hyundai.
And that pi$$e$ them off.
They haven’t served out their penance yet.
They need to build their core. They aren’t strong enough of brand yet. That’s it.
This really isn’t that hard.
They don’t WANT to INVEST the time/money Toyota did to becomne great.
DrFill

They still have to sell you with huge incentives and warranties that dont end. If their products did not suck they would sell themselves, despite the brand names humble roots.

The 7 year no interest loan with a rebate on the Sonata sedan last month tell you something about where they are with sales. I think the Genesis may actually get more ppl into their showroom and that has to count for something. The sonata has found itself dated with the recent camry, accord, fusion, and malibu. The 2009 update will not resolve this either. Hyundai needs more flair and more excitement than the 10 year warranty gives them.

Hyundai should concentrate on cheap cars. Kill Tata before it expands!

Agreed, gbb.

“The Genesis may actually get more people in their showroom”…but can they afford a 30k plus Hyundai?? Well no. I guess we will try to sell them an Accent for 84 months at 300 a month instead. Brilliant!! Hyundai should concentrate on sub 20k dollar vehicles…and lots of them. Oh you still will see plenty of those Genesis coupes and sedans on the road though…with Hertz and Avis stickers all over them.

Yes, the bottom line has always been sales numbers. We’ll see how Hyundai turns out in the coming years. Though if the Genesis is truly a good vehicle as they claimed, I wouldn’t mind dropping 35K for one. But I understand most people still consider certain brands to be safer buys.

I saw the Genesis coupe and sedan at the auto show last week, and they both looked nice. The Genesis sedan seemed like it could compete with MB or Lexus. Unfortunately, they didn’t have one open that you could sit in. But, if it can get people into the dealerships, that will be a good thing. I don’t think it should matter to them too much which car people buy, as long as they get more people in and/or more of the people coming in buy one.

jdasch: “I guess we will try to sell them an Accent for 84 months at 300 a month instead.”

hell, No!

I liked this car, then, I didn’t, now I do.