Hyundai Genesis - 375HP, 4.6L, V8 engine - is there really demand for something like this anymore?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I got this in email today.

[MrsCat 6]

Ironic that they're advertising to see this monster at financial community day when paying for the gas in that thing would put one in the poor house.

Something about a Hyundai for me doesn't say badass power - even if it was fun to drive I'd buy something else - something American.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Yes, their niche' is the 100,000 mile warrenty.

[Dan J 277]

Those who can afford to buy it, can probably afford easily afford to buy gas for it.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Those who can afford to buy it, can probably afford easily afford to buy gas for it.

The reason this confuses me is because Hyundai is actually doing well in the gas-sipping economy car market.

I own an Elantra and it is a very economical, A-to-B type car. When it's time to buy my next car, I'd consider it again.

Anyway check this out from BusinessWeek:

The numbers show this isn't the time for Korea's top automaker to shed its image as a maker of small, inexpensive cars. As its bigger global rivals slumped, Hyundai on July 24 posted a quarterly revenue record of $9.03 billion in three months ending in June, up 13% from a year earlier.

...

Now Hyundai is once again trumpeting its small cars (BusinessWeek.com, 7/18/08), and it's considering building them in the U.S. starting next year (it already builds the midsize Sonata sedan and Santa Fe SUV at a plant in Montgomery, Ala.). "Just as Honda established itself with a fuel-efficient engine when the world was rocked by the first oil shock, this new era of high oil prices will serve as a similar opportunity for us," says Yoon Mong Hyun, Hyundai's managing director in charge of business strategy planning.

Early signs are encouraging. In June, as overall U.S. auto sales fell by 8%, Hyundai hit a monthly record, selling 50,000 vehicles, up 14% from a year earlier, according to selling-day-adjusted statistics from researcher Autodata. Sales of the compact Elantra jumped 51%, the subcompact Accent was up 70%, and the Sonata climbed by 12%.

[Dan J 277]

Those who can afford to buy it, can probably afford easily afford to buy gas for it.

The reason this confuses me is because Hyundai is actually doing well in the gas-sipping economy car market.

I own an Elantra and it is a very economical, A-to-B type car. When it's time to buy my next car, I'd consider it again.

Anyway check this out from BusinessWeek:

The numbers show this isn't the time for Korea's top automaker to shed its image as a maker of small, inexpensive cars. As its bigger global rivals slumped, Hyundai on July 24 posted a quarterly revenue record of $9.03 billion in three months ending in June, up 13% from a year earlier.

...

Now Hyundai is once again trumpeting its small cars (BusinessWeek.com, 7/18/08), and it's considering building them in the U.S. starting next year (it already builds the midsize Sonata sedan and Santa Fe SUV at a plant in Montgomery, Ala.). "Just as Honda established itself with a fuel-efficient engine when the world was rocked by the first oil shock, this new era of high oil prices will serve as a similar opportunity for us," says Yoon Mong Hyun, Hyundai's managing director in charge of business strategy planning.

Early signs are encouraging. In June, as overall U.S. auto sales fell by 8%, Hyundai hit a monthly record, selling 50,000 vehicles, up 14% from a year earlier, according to selling-day-adjusted statistics from researcher Autodata. Sales of the compact Elantra jumped 51%, the subcompact Accent was up 70%, and the Sonata climbed by 12%.

Just because the market for gas guzzlers is shirking, doesn't mean it will be gone. Some people will be able to still afford gas, no matter what the price is. The question is, will the market for this car be large enough for Hyundai to make enough money with this car.

[MrsCat 6]

I own an Elantra and it is a very economical, A-to-B type car. When it's time to buy my next car, I'd consider it again.

My bro owns an Elantra too - and that thing is fantastic on gas - its good for roadtrips - enough space to seat 4 comfortably and good on gas.

To me, it seems that the Genesis was probably in production 2-3 years ago and spent a lot of put it on the market. They probably had a lot of long board room hours to decide whether to introduce it into production in the past few months. While there are a few people who have no problem swallowing higher fuel bills - I doubt there are enough to make this car cost effective and a winner.

Hyundai has a lot to overcome - (1) market share for this type of vehicle, (2) likely the sticker shock for regular Hyundai purchasers, (3) fuel consumption, (4) advertising costs to make people want this car - just to name a few.

I dunno - its a good looking car, nice features, and I love a lot of power. Wouldn't see myself buying that one though

[Niels Bohr 72]

As an Engineer, I judge quality whenever I test it. I don't go by reputation.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My bro owns an Elantra too - and that thing is fantastic on gas - its good for roadtrips - enough space to seat 4 comfortably and good on gas.

Agreed!

My only complaint is its performance on snow. Kinda scary.

As an Engineer, I judge quality whenever I test it. I don't go by reputation.

Wait, you're an Engineer???

I had no idea.

[MrsCat 6]

My bro owns an Elantra too - and that thing is fantastic on gas - its good for roadtrips - enough space to seat 4 comfortably and good on gas.

Agreed!

My only complaint is its performance on snow. Kinda scary.

Get some Blizzaks - my bro swears by those for his Elantra. Personally - I go the free route with a song and a prayer.

As an Engineer, I judge quality whenever I test it. I don't go by reputation.

Well that is certainly for the educated - as an uneducated consumer I go by feeling and reputation

[Niels Bohr 72]

My bro owns an Elantra too - and that thing is fantastic on gas - its good for roadtrips - enough space to seat 4 comfortably and good on gas.

Agreed!

My only complaint is its performance on snow. Kinda scary.

As an Engineer, I judge quality whenever I test it. I don't go by reputation.

Wait, you're an Engineer???

I had no idea.

A.J.= VJ Troll?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My bro owns an Elantra too - and that thing is fantastic on gas - its good for roadtrips - enough space to seat 4 comfortably and good on gas.

Agreed!

My only complaint is its performance on snow. Kinda scary.

As an Engineer, I judge quality whenever I test it. I don't go by reputation.

Wait, you're an Engineer???

I had no idea.

A.J.= VJ Troll?

VJ Troll? Please, that weak azz b1tch azz punk ain't got nuttn on me!