Comments on: Hyundai to bring 100 Equus sedans stateside

By: BrazilianA3

BrazilianA3 — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:59:14 +0000

I can´t understand why Americans hate the Genesis so much… What´s the best American sedan you can buy for the 30k of the base Genesis model? Ford Taurus? Chrysler 300? These cars are junk compared to the Korean flagship.

By: sycore

sycore — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:34:27 +0000

So sick of morons comparing this to the VW Phaeton. It failed for the simple reason you could get the same car as an Audi A8 for the same price as the VW, with the Audi having better dealership service, prestige, resale value and perceived reliability.
This car would be a success as a 50-60K car under a Hyundai luxury brand, with separate dealership experience and prestige. You will never convert all the snobs, but come look at my 60K Genesis VS460 sounds better then my 60L Hyundai Equus.

By: HyundaiSmoke

HyundaiSmoke — Mon, 11 May 2009 05:40:47 +0000

By the way, the 1.6 Turbo is also seen in the KIA Ceed and will also be the base engine for the next gen Tiburon (Coupe’). That is good for nearly 40 MPG. The Hybrid will be in the 50s MPG. Tthe 128 HP motor will get 48-52 MPG depending on who you cite.

Our small cars will go upmarket as well, look at the New Sonata and Genesis coupe interiors real good, becuase in 12 months its going into the Accent as well. Also the Accent will be going up in price, as the Rio will be the Cheap car for Hyundai/KIA Motors USA. The Elantra will be the last that gets this interior in 2012.

By: HyundaiSmoke

HyundaiSmoke — Mon, 11 May 2009 05:33:33 +0000

Wrong, The Accent Replacement will be like the Mercedes A-Class that didnt come to America. The Elantra will be like the Mercedes B-class that didnt come to America. Hyundai did recently win the Contract to build and design Small car engines for Mercedes Benz. The European i20 and Mercedes A-Class already share a similar 128 HP motor. That motor will be the main engine Choice in the US Next Gen Accent Along with the 1.6 Turbo, and the Hybrid.

By: aggie531

aggie531 — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:03:26 +0000

hyundai really does need to make a luxury brand (toyota-lexus, honda-acura, nissan,infiniti) and sell the genesis, the genisis coupe, and equus then in 2-3 years or so, make new models. im only worried that the genesis would lose sales because they are buying from a new strange brand so they are not sure of the quality. good luck hyundai

By: JoshyLofty

JoshyLofty — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:06:19 +0000

I picture most of hyundai’s lineup going RWD, the Accent being killed off & the Elantra being replaced by a RWD 3series/IS250-350 fighter. HKA is on a roll lately.

By: Voiture1

Voiture1 — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:18:05 +0000

If it’s not FWD, you can keep it! I prefer my nice FWD Azera!

By: shane train

shane train — Sat, 09 May 2009 18:58:24 +0000

I hope they leave 100 hood ornaments at home, in that case.

By: steve333

steve333 — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:12:54 +0000

Inspire,
The Federal Govmnt has been turning us into The United Saps of America for decades now.
Its hard to believe that there are Americans on this board actually excited about what a Korean brand is doing and wishing them success. Pretty sad.

By: inspire

inspire — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:47:12 +0000

There are a couple reasons why Hyundai can even charge that kinda $$$ in Korea for the Equus. First, it’s a Korean car and Korean people are just as patriotic (maybe even more) than Americans. Secondly, South Korea has very protectionist trade policies, especially with automobiles. Any “import” is subject to a 100% tax. So a US$50k Corvette would be US$100k in Korea. And a US$25k Malibu would be US$50k over there. You get the idea.

So if you’re talking about a US$100k S-class Benz, the Korean consumer would be paying US$200k. So would it not make sense to pay US$80k for an Equus? You kill 2 birds with one stone — support your countrymen *and* you “save” $120k. Makes sense to me.

Now … I’m sure someone’s gonna say, “Well if the Koreans do that, why doesn’t the good ol’ US of A do the same to their imports?” Good question — maybe Obama should strong arm the Koreans to open up their markets since they dump product here. It would be a short term fix, but in the long run, products here would become more expensive since the ‘free market’ system encourages efficiency and competition, so the consumer wins (ie good product at the lowest price). Catch-22 to Americans.

Going back on topic … interesting to see Hyundai bringing over 100 models of the Equus. Are they gonna actually sell them here or just keep them in the showroom for people to oogle over?

By: DrFill

DrFill — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:30:57 +0000

Considering the fact that Hyundai hasn’t increased sales YTY in 4 years, even with a new lineup, and many more models to choose from, only at Hyundai would selling less than 15k Genesis sedans a year be cause for celebration

I saw the Equus at the NYIAS
It’s big and luxurious
So what?

Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it

Mistake one was not investing in a luxury brand, when you really want to make luxury cars
This will be mistake number two, when you can’t sell mid-size luxury cars, build full-size luxury cars in a down economy
Think about it
DrFill

By: zoomzoomer

zoomzoomer — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:54:50 +0000

outof714.. you are right.. preproduction Hyundais and Kias are common in and around Tustin/Irvine.. I live in the 818 SFV and see plenty of them around here too!

By: leftwingagenda

leftwingagenda — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:34:19 +0000

i take it that gbb hasn’t made a fortune by having a solid grasp on reality

By: outof714

outof714 — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:07:05 +0000

I actually saw an Equus on the 57 freeway in OC last week. I was struck by its presence as it approached my from behind. I first thought it may be a Maybach, then I saw the Equus nameplate and a non California plate. Very surprised to see one stateside, but then again Hyundai’s NA operations are based in OC. It was a very impressive looking car I must admit. I see more and more Genesis’ on the roads here in SoCal. Hyundai may be the right value brand at the right time.

By: zoomzoomer

zoomzoomer — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:59:40 +0000

JJT.. I think Hyundai scrapped the separate brand channel precisely for that reason.. they plan to take the brand into Lexus territory and leave the economy cars to Kia!

My US Hyundai lineup would include:
Equus
Genesis
Genesis Coupe
Veracruz
Sonata replacement (moves into Azera slot)
Portico
Santa Fe
and a more upscale Elantra/Touring replacement.

I’m guessing the Azera dies as soon as the Lexus ES-like Kia Amanti replacement arrives, since that will likely assume the flagship model status for that brand.

By: gbb

gbb — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:24:27 +0000

A $75K Hunndi/Kia……sure that is about right. “A sucker born every minute” rings a bell on this one. Crappy little beaters made for morons.

By: 325e

325e — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:01:52 +0000

This car probably has more features than a 100,000 dollar BMW, Mercedes, Audi, or Lexus. Too bad Hyundai does not have the prestige of these brands to back a $75,000 Equus, but like the Phaeton, its sales depend on badge whores. Everything aside it’s a exceptional vehicle, just no one really takes Hyundai seriously. Personally this is going to be rarer on the road than a conventional 7 series or S class so why not buy it? You’d be whipping heads around faster than they could.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:06:13 +0000

Looks good. Fits my Hyundai plan. Not to launch a Genesis brand, but to take it upscale.

Hyundai should have four models
Genesis
Genesis Coupe
Equus
Veracruz

Five if the Kia Optima is Killed

As someone else said here, this is a tough sell, if there’s an Accent in the building

we know who the real suckers are …. Damn near $50K for a Pilot?

By: leftwingagenda

leftwingagenda — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:02:39 +0000

i looked at this site here to check prices: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Equus

for the lower trim line the cost is 74 million Won…which converts to $59.8k (at the random website i tried)
the higher trim line costs 105 million Won…which converts to $85k

of course they could change options and adjust the price a bit, but there’s a guess at what the costs will be…

By: Borat

Borat — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:21:01 +0000

A real treat: NMOFGM & 1115 on the same posting!

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:12:44 +0000

It is the perfect time to not only offer up the Equus over here but to launch Genesis as a stand alone brand. In this economy even the upwardly mobile are thinking twice before signing the dotted line on their traditional marque’s latest and unless they are the most stubborn of brand snobs I don’t think there are lot of people laughing at Hyundai anymore. And we all know that if you’re looking for a few empty stores to hawk your wares there soon will be no shortage of those.

Just look at Fiat. If you’re one of the few who have it then the time is now.

By: A4

A4 — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:03:12 +0000

this car better pleasure me and do my taxes all while it grows wings and flies me to my destination for $75k.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:36:40 +0000

I sat in this and it was the real deal Electric rear sunshades a tray in the back,top quality leather etc etc
I think the styling could be a littke better but I think if its sold at 60k then it will be a deal and you will see many on the road
Anyone who PAYS for a GM is a sucker

By: Need more oil four GM

Need more oil four GM — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:30:16 +0000

What do you find to be more funny?

you paid $75 k for a Hyundai or you paid $75 k for a GM

all aside they would have to start around the $55k tops.

By: Mutant@DCX

Mutant@DCX — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:11:44 +0000

Buy Korean, it’s your patroitic duty! lol

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:08:40 +0000

I agree with the good mayer – I was thinking 50-55k range as well. The Phaeton was a disaster because prices reached into the $110k region that is NOT the place for a VW. I saw a used ‘04 Phaeton W12 a little while ago going for around $32k here though, and let me say it was amazing in every way, there was some unbelievable stuff on it – messaging cooled/heated 14 way power climate controlled…. rear seats!!! Still it was a VW though.

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:34:22 +0000

75K or not, other premuim marques (specifically Mercedes-Benz) are getting waaaaay overpriced, particularly in the options department…and I’m glad they are being challenged. I wish Hyundai luck with this car.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:27:17 +0000

That 75K figure is nothing Hyundai has ever said. It is dreamed up by journalist monkeys (not LLN) who think they can just divide a KDM price by an exchange rate.

I actually like the Equus. Cant see it going for more than 50k to 55k though. Plus the Fuquus jokes will be flying.

The Genesis is selling very very well from what I’ve seen. I think last month was close to 2000 units. Good car + good value = good sales.

By: 05Z88Path

05Z88Path — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:24:56 +0000

I can hear the laughs now…”You paid $75k for a Hyundai?!?!”

By: Borat

Borat — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:24:14 +0000

I wonder how Genesis has been selling. Granted it is 100% over last year sales figures, but does Hyundai meet its own sales goal to have profitable model? Perhaps I am wrong, but I just don’t see customer with 75K car budget entering Hyundai dealership and dicker with green pants all tattooed salesman. Then again, perhaps there 100 people walking earth with suitcase of cash they want to exchange for this car.