$50 to $70k RWD Kia K900 luxury sedan coming stateside

[monkeydelmagico]

2,135 Equus have been sold in 2013 - A surprising figure for sure

* through August

Total Year Stats
2011 - 3,193
2012- 3,972

It's a fleet darling for airport shuttle services. Great lease terms regarding mileage.

I can't see this strategy working at the price point KIA is commanding.

 

[ElFenix]

There is a new definition of lexury for 70K+

Things like Kia "lexury" are dead like dead can be due to a fact that well known brands of luxurious cars can't keep with Tesla.

S-class is more like a $100,000 car. S550 is pretty much where that model starts. diesel? don't think i've ever seen one.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I think the 7 series is BMW's best looking model, and that isn't saying much. =(

Sad day we live in ehh? At least the new 7 isn't all that bad, previous generation was just horrendous. And late 90s 7 was probably my 2nd favorite BMW styling (loved the 740i sport)

 

[praeter]

I'm looking forward to seeing this car in person. Its based on the Equus so its not like its new unproven technology. And its been designed by Peter Schreyer, the guy who brought Audi design into its current high state.

I've driven Mercedes E class the past 2 cars ('09 and '12) and ridden in my friends Equus. For $60K its no comparison, the Equus blows the MB out of the water. The people I know who drive the Equus all came from S Class, 7 series or Range Rovers. They are now trading their cars in for another Equus.

I recognize it takes someone who doesn't care so much about the brand logo to be open minded about this stuff.

The car world is changing with new up and comers, revitalized brands (Jaguar/RR in my opinion) and some complacency on the part of BMW and Audi.

Hyundai/Kia are well capitalized and are intent on winning long term. Over time I suspect they will have better electronics as well. Come on, when is the last time anyone bought German electronics?

 

[jpeyton]

As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, models like the Equus and K900 exist solely to get people aware of the fact that Hyundai/Kia can even make a high-end automobile.

They aren't going to get blockbuster sales now, or even 5 years from now. But you have to start somewhere, and this is the South Koreans getting their foot in the door.

If you'll remember, decades ago, people said the same thing about Toyota (Lexus) and Honda (Acura). You would have been loony to pay 5-series or E-class money for a Japanese car. Times have changed.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

If you'll remember, decades ago, people said the same thing about Toyota (Lexus) and Honda (Acura). You would have been loony to pay 5-series or E-class money for a Japanese car. Times have changed.

Most people still don't pay E class money on Lexus or Acura.

Something I'd also like to point out is your use of the term decades. I think it's appropriate to point out that Toyota has been gunning for MB for that long with limited success. Toyota is an incredible company with a G7 country to back it. I just don't see Hyundai/KIA, as a company, or as part of the Korean economy, having significant success with this new upscale strategy.

My 22 Won ($.02) worth.

 

[exar333]

I wouldn't spend $15k on a Kia, let alone $50k. LOL

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I recognize it takes someone who doesn't care so much about the brand logo to be open minded about this stuff.

And that is precisely where it will fail. I know plent of doctors, lawyers, and indian chiefs who DO care about the brand. For better, or worse, branding is an integral part of selling. Hyundai and KIA have absolutely no hope getting elite customers butts into seats without resorting to corporate shenanigans.

 

[praeter]

And that is precisely where it will fail. I know plent of doctors, lawyers, and indian chiefs who DO care about the brand. For better, or worse, branding is an integral part of selling. Hyundai and KIA have absolutely no hope getting elite customers butts into seats without resorting to corporate shenanigans.

I agree there are many who care more about the brand than the substance (BMW anyone?)...heck I live in Los Angeles. However the people I know who are buying the Equus and in some cases Genesis are the doctors and lawyers and senior executives you are referencing. There are enough practical wealthy people out there that just want a comfortable car and in some cases seek a below the radar image. I do think creating a separate brand would make sense, but it would be very expensive. The concierge service of coming to your home to pick up your car for service is a nice perk.

I drive an E Class now, and have had 4-5 MB's, 2 audi's and infinitis. I thought hard about the Genesis before and couldn't pull the trigger. In the part of LA I live in, you will see Genesis sedans all over the place, and usually a few Equuses (?). People are comfortable with a $40-45k Hyundai now, why is it hard to imagine going up another $10k?

 

[Kaido]

I agree there are many who care more about the brand than the substance (BMW anyone?)...heck I live in Los Angeles. However the people I know who are buying the Equus and in some cases Genesis are the doctors and lawyers and senior executives you are referencing. There are enough practical wealthy people out there that just want a comfortable car and in some cases seek a below the radar image. I do think creating a separate brand would make sense, but it would be very expensive. The concierge service of coming to your home to pick up your car for service is a nice perk.

I drive an E Class now, and have had 4-5 MB's, 2 audi's and infinitis. I thought hard about the Genesis before and couldn't pull the trigger. In the part of LA I live in, you will see Genesis sedans all over the place, and usually a few Equuses (?). People are comfortable with a $40-45k Hyundai now, why is it hard to imagine going up another $10k?

That's a good point, a below-the-radar luxurymobile. Who's going to want to steal a luxury Kia? :biggrin:

And again, that's actually one thing that I like about the Tesla Model S - sure it looks nice - when you stop & look at it - but in passing you can easily mistake it for something like a Ford Fusion. A little wider, a little bit different nose, but nearly the same in passing. So it's nice that you can buy a $70-$120k all-electric performance car and not have to deal with the attention that say a Ferrari gets if you just like the car & don't want the attention that normally goes with something high-end like that.