Hyundai: The toughest car company of them all?

[dud]

I stumbled upon this little article at CNN/Money. While I find it interesting I'm not ready to buy a Hyundai. Old feelings die hard and (personally) I still have a "thing" against buying one:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/fortune/0912/gallery.hyundai.fortune/index.html


"These days, Hyundai could get arrested for speeding. Powered by a weak Korean won and a revitalized product line, it is ramping up volumes in major markets around the world."

"Hyundai aims to finish in the top three in actual quality within three years as measured by Power's dependability survey -- and to finish in the top five in perceived quality in five years."

And this is my favorite:

"Chairman Mong-Koo Chung took over from his father in 1999 and switched the company's focus from volume to high quality. Though he was convicted on charges of embezzlement, an appeals court decided that he was too valuable to the Korean economy to be incarcerated and suspended his sentence."

 

[ElFenix]

hyundai was the only volume automaker to increase sales in the US from 2008 to 2009 (the only other maker to do that was subaru).

ford, hyundai, and vw seem like they may come out in the top 4 in volume very soon.


the genesis coupe is a sexy beast.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I would buy a Hyundai in a heartbeat if they offer me the right features at the right price.

 

[StageLeft]

Though he was convicted on charges of embezzlement, an appeals court decided that he was too valuable to the Korean economy to be incarcerated and suspended his sentence.

haha

Nonetheless, Hyundai I no longer see as a total joke-brand like I do, for example, Suzuki.

Or Chrysler.

 

[PricklyPete]

haha

Nonetheless, Hyundai I no longer see as a total joke-brand like I do, for example, Suzuki.

Or Chrysler.

Even Suzuki shows some signs of emerging with good offerings like their SX4 and Kirachi (sp?). Chrysler is just sad.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Hyundai owns Kia correct?
Either way I'd rather see Hyundai/Kia smash Toyota. I know it won't happen for a while, but I can't wait for Toyota to get knocked off it's high horse it's been riding on. My Kia Spectra was worlds better quality wise than our current Toyota.

 

[Bl0cks]

I wouldn't buy a Hyundai. I am a redneck and I don't fit their demographic.

 

[CupCak3]

While I commend the company's goals to be honest, I don't see myself purchasing a car made in Korea (or China or India) for a long time... if ever. And yes, this also goes for the Chevy Aveo.

Once they make a car assembled in and primarily made in North America or Europe, I could definitely give it a go.

 

[Vette73]

While I commend the company's goals to be honest, I don't see myself purchasing a car made in Korea (or China or India) for a long time... if ever. And yes, this also goes for the Chevy Aveo.

Once they make a car assembled in and primarily made in North America or Europe, I could definitely give it a go.

Don;t know much about cars do ya?

In 1990, Hyundai established the Hyundai Design Center in Fountain Valley, California
Hyundai America Technical Center completed construction of its Hyundai/Kia proving ground in California City, California in 2004

AND

Hyundai completed an assembly plant just outside Montgomery, Alabama in 2004, with a grand opening on May 20, 2005, at a cost of $1.1 billion. At full capacity, the plant will employ 2,000 workers. Currently, the plant assembles the Hyundai Sonata and the Hyundai Santa Fe.

 

[CupCak3]

Don;t know much about cars do ya?

In 1990, Hyundai established the Hyundai Design Center in Fountain Valley, California
Hyundai America Technical Center completed construction of its Hyundai/Kia proving ground in California City, California in 2004

AND

Hyundai completed an assembly plant just outside Montgomery, Alabama in 2004, with a grand opening on May 20, 2005, at a cost of $1.1 billion. At full capacity, the plant will employ 2,000 workers. Currently, the plant assembles the Hyundai Sonata and the Hyundai Santa Fe.

You are incorrect; I am aware of these locations. One of my buddies from college works in the AL facility.

You only met half my stipulations. Sonata is still less than 50% NA content. I have no clue on Santa Fe; but it doesn't matter b/c I don't see myself in the foreseeable future being in the market for an auto that size.

 

[exar333]

Doesn't change their bland offerings. Meh.

 

[PricklyPete]

Doesn't change their bland offerings. Meh.

Agreed...but you can't deny that strategy works here in America. They are the "cheaper" Toyota...and have been gaining market share accordingly.

 

[iGas]

I would buy a Hyundai in a heartbeat if they offer me the right features at the right price.

I recently test drove Alantra, Sonata, and Azera, and IMHO there look and quality are at the top of the competitions. The engines are a bit weak, road noises are higher, and they are priced well below other makes.

I was going to get the Sonata because to me it is a well balanced and comfortable car for the price. And my favorite interior look is the Alantra for its gauges and layout however the road noise isn't well control as the other cars in it class.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

hyundais have REALLY moved up in quality and standards in the last 3 years or so. their interiors have high quality feels and stiffness to them. and their top contenders in many categories

 

[ulukay]

While I commend the company's goals to be honest, I don't see myself purchasing a car made in Korea (or China or India) for a long time... if ever. And yes, this also goes for the Chevy Aveo.

comparing korea with india or china in terms of car build quality is like comparing the US with uruguay or peru.

 

[ecom]

While I commend the company's goals to be honest, I don't see myself purchasing a car made in Korea (or China or India) for a long time... if ever. And yes, this also goes for the Chevy Aveo.

Once they make a car assembled in and primarily made in North America or Europe, I could definitely give it a go.

Chevy got the short end of the stick with the Aveo. I had a rental Aveo for 3 weeks once and it achieved about the same MPG as a 3.5L V6 Pontiac G6 rental. It really only competed with other vehicles in that class (Yaris?) in terms of initial cost.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Chevy got the short end of the stick with the Aveo. I had a rental Aveo for 3 weeks once and it achieved about the same MPG as a 3.5L V6 Pontiac G6 rental. It really only competed with other vehicles in that class (Yaris?) in terms of initial cost.

True story, I had a rental Aveo in college and I raced it against my friends recently pulled out of storage started for the first time in 20 years with a blown carb, fuel pump, transmission, etc 1964 Ford Fairlane 289 V8


Guess who won.....

Yes, the Aveo is that bad.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I recently test drove Alantra, Sonata, and Azera, and IMHO there look and quality are at the top of the competitions. The engines are a bit weak, road noises are higher, and they are priced well below other makes.

I was going to get the Sonata because to me it is a well balanced and comfortable car for the price. And my favorite interior look is the Alantra for its gauges and layout however the road noise isn't well control as the other cars in it class.

I test drove the new Sonata and was amazed by it. Right now I'm looking for a non-lux manual AWD wagon and it looks like the only competitor there is Subaru. If Hyundai or any manufacturer for that matter can bring more competition to that market I'll be looking for it.

 

[xanis]

I was actually surprised to see just how nice the newer Hyundais are. I drove a brand-new, fully-loaded Azera last year in Florida and it was NICE. Smooth ride, decent power and build quality, and it was damn comfortable.

 

[PricklyPete]

I was actually surprised to see just how nice the newer Hyundais are. I drove a fully-loaded Azera last year in Florida and it was NICE. Smooth ride, decent power, comfortable.

I was recently surprised with a rental as well. Had a Santa Fe and was expecting it to be crap. Was actually quite well put together...decent materials, and very sturdy with plenty fo power for the application. I'm not going to go run out and buy one...but they obvioiusly have figured out how to make a vehicle.

 

[casiotech wants a new accord]

i'd get a genesis or genesis coupe

but I wouldn't pay $30 grand for a hyundai.. they'll never hit lexus status.

 

[AMCRambler]

The Genesis coupe was a step in the right direction for sportyness. The Tiburon before it was a cool looking car but had lackluster performance compared to the competition.

Overall I'd say Hyundai has come a long way in the quality department. So much so my future father in law, previously a domestic only guy is now a Hyundai only guy. If they keep their prices down and keep improving their car designs they could easily replace beat Toyota and Honda at the top of the pack. Kia I'm less than impressed with and Suzuki the same.

 

[CupCak3]

Chevy got the short end of the stick with the Aveo. I had a rental Aveo for 3 weeks once and it achieved about the same MPG as a 3.5L V6 Pontiac G6 rental. It really only competed with other vehicles in that class (Yaris?) in terms of initial cost.

I'm not sure if I'd say short end of the stick or just fail. I test drove one and felt like I was driving a Postman delivery truck. Luckily I've been able to dodge getting one for a work rental... I don't know if I'd be able to take spending 6 hours a day sometimes in one.

 

[Doggiedog]

I saw that "article" too and I really didn't understand it. There wasn't really a story. It seemed more like a covert ad than a legitimate article. You had these posed pictures of people in a small swimming pool, looking busy testing out engines, etc.

"Chevy got the short end of the stick with the Aveo. I had a rental Aveo for 3 weeks once and it achieved about the same MPG as a 3.5L V6 Pontiac G6 rental. It really only competed with other vehicles in that class (Yaris?) in terms of initial cost."

Does that speak well for the Pontiac or poorly for the Aveo?

 

[krunchykrome]

I'd definitely look at the Genesis sedan next time we're in the market for a car. Probably wouldn't look into the v-8; I couldn't bring myself to pay $40k+ for a Hyundai yet. But I'd consider paying $30k+ for the 3.5 version