Just as Costco and WalMart are doing relatively well in difficult times, the Wall Street Journal reports that while Hyundai USA’s sales are down, their market share is increasing. Industry wide sales in September were reportedly down 27% while Hyundai was “only” down 25%. Technically that does add up to a miniscule market share increase, but hardly anything to write home about. Hyundai has also just released the Genesis Coupe in Korea, taking aim at the likes of the Infiniti G37. Considering how much Sajeev liked the sedan, we are looking forward to the March 2009 US availability of the coupe. (Though Berkowitz not nearly as much). In their heydey the Thunderbird, Toronado, Eldorado and Mark VII were cars everyone aspired to; lately, not so much. But, with everything old suddenly new again perhaps there will be a revival of the luxurious coupe. With a starting price under $25,000 the Genesis Coupe might just be onto something. Or not.
I have a feeling Infiniti dealers Stateside may have a hard time sleeping at night once thing hits.
The trend not to look like you’re doing well during hard times and all.
I think the Infiniti dealers will be fine. There’s no comparison between the two when it comes to the buying experience and after purchase support. I speak from experience.
And the G has the VQ motor which has proven itself for decades. What track records do the Genesis engines have?
@ factotum:
One would expect a significantly better buying and service experience for 40% higher price tag, no?
Question really will be whether the G Coupe is 40% better.
VQ has been around for decades??
This car looks great on paper but I don’t see why Hyundai felt the need to make it so ugly
Ha. I just bought a GTI. After being in a Miata for years. I love the car, but I gotta say, there is something about RWD that I miss. Its not like I’m out rippin on the track, but I just love how RWD just squats and goes when you step on the gas. No funny stuff through the wheel.
After reading how freakin reasonable the Camaro is gonna be priced, and now this thing, I am getting a slight hint of buyer’s remorse. On the other hand, the Miata was gettin close to needing a lot of work, I needed the car now, I love the GTI and got a great deal, so I should be happy.
Gotta say though, I am already looking forward to driving the proper wheels for my next purchase….hopefully :)
I think Hyundai will do well with this one. Obviously a drive will be required, but the Genesis sedan is getting very strong reviews, and I’ve been quite impressed with the Sonata and Santa Fe’s I’ve driven.
It’s obvious that the interior of the coupe is not nearly as nice as the sedan. The gauges especially look rather ordinary, they could be seen in the Accent. It’s definitely a big step down from the interior of the G37 as well.
While the Genesis sedan was a big step for Hyundai, the coupe only seems a step forward mechanically, while the interior could be the next Tiburon.
To my eyes, this Hyundai will have to have truly exceptional performance to make up for the styling. Is it so hard to pen an attractive coupe? Aston Martin worked out the proper proportions decades ago, why does every Asian manufacturer insist on making their cars look weird?
On the contrary, I don’t think Infiniti dealers have anything to worry about. I doubt anyone is honestly going to cross-shop this thing with a G coupe.
This is really a terrible looking car whose big draw was going to be bargain pricing. Now that we know the 304hp V6 Camaro is going to start at $22,000 it further pokes holes in this Hyundai’s chances. And the Camaro looks damn good and has name recognition and heritage to back it up.
Good luck on this one Hyundai. The high school/college Asian character tattoo, big wing, coffee can exhaust crowd will probably be your best hope.
Hyundai is coming dangerously close to getting the styling “right” but also definitively “Korean.” The front end looks sleek from certain views, but too sleek–like a squashed cat–from others. But if Nissan gets a pass on the tortured new Maxima (Z??) headlamps, why not here?
The Infiniti and Hyundai dealers here are side by side (same dealership actually, they just have different buildings) so should be really easy to cross shop. Nissan dealership is right there too.
Not nearly as unusual as our combined Acura/Pontiac dealer. Same building! Imagine going into a Pontiac dealer to buy an Acura, so much for the “dealership experience.”
TriShield :
October 13th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Good luck on this one Hyundai. The high school/college Asian character tattoo, big wing, coffee can exhaust crowd will probably be your best hope.
LOL!
It is always interesting to look at cars and wonder what made the driver buy the car? You nailed this one.
I find that most modern cars & trucks have an excessive amount of electronics for my taste. I like simple mechanical buttons and gauges. Judging by the interior pictures, this might almost be simple enough for my tastes. Until then… I’m sticking with Mercedes engineered in the 1980s.
SunnyvaleCA: Until then… I’m sticking with Mercedes engineered in the 1980s.
So you have a Chrysler 300?
No Justin, I had a 1986 300E stick shift and now a 1998 C43 (designed in the very late 1980s through early 1990s). The W220 is, sadly, too modern for my tastes and way too big and no stick shift in the USA.
From profile and rear angles, it looks like it wants to be a G37 coupe and it’s passable in an inoffensive way. But, man, that face is something only a convicted Korean executive could love.
Come to think of it, anyone else get that “angry samurai silk painting” vibe from the coupe’s face?
I don’t think that this car is particularly ugly at all. I think the colors that Hyundai has decided to use in the launch photos are a mistake. I think the car will look amazing in bright white, and black. Just my two-cents…
The overall body shape (narrow wedge nose, bustle rear-end), is not unlike a Pontiac G6; the double character lines on the side are trying to say something (mangled “H”?), just don’t know.
It may be one of those cars that looks better in person. Still, its design is aerodynamic enough, and it’s weight is low enough that it would make a more economical daily driver than the Camaro.
I dunno — it really depends on the price of gas as to whether the turbo-4 vs. V6 war will end.
Seeing the Camaro’s interior “in the flesh” could drive people back to the Hyundai dealership for the V6 version.