Azera attracting highest ever transaction price for a Hyundai
Hyundai is gradually
climbing the street cred ladder with its 2006 Azera, which went for a whopping (at least by Hyundai standards) $27,500
average transaction price in March; the highest of any Hyundai ever and higher than the XG350 the Azera replaces. While
Hyundai still fights the perception that real car buyers don't buy its wares, the company is already selling twice as
many Azeras as it did XG350s.
One thing the company says is working is its Hyundai Challenge, which encourages
drivers to try out the Hyundai Sonata and compare it to other imports in its class, including the Honda Accord and
Toyota Camry. Inside Line quotes a Hyundai spokesperson as saying the company won't pit the vehicle against
its domestic rivals because "we want consumers to know we are competitive against the imports [rather than] brands
losing market share." Ouch, that kind of rhetoric must sting in Detroit.
[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Bonster 10:29PM (6/10/2008)
I'm sorry to say this but are you all out of your mind? Especially the ones who are considering in BUYING a hyundai car! Haven't you notice the past few articles were about how Hyundai is such a jerk to their workers and committed crimes? The Chairman of Hyundai just gave money to the charity and boom, he is out of his trouble.. no need to go to prison when he has to.
Like are you people serious? Buying Hyundai car is a CRIME!
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Bonster 10:32PM (6/10/2008)
Buying a Hyundai car is a crime.
Read the previous articles...
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RossL 3:16PM (4/27/2006)
Good on them. Personally, though, I don't ever see myself buying a Hyundai. The memory of Alex Baldwin's brilliant monologue in "Glengarry Glen Ross" would haunt me forever.
http://ynucc.yeungnam.ac.kr/~bwlee/esc/baldwin.htm
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Swat Lax 3:30PM (4/27/2006)
"Azera attracting highest ever transaction price for a Hyundai" - Duh!?!?! They are asking for more than any other Hyundai.
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Jason 3:34PM (4/27/2006)
People used to make fun of Toyota too, Ross. Might as well get over it, that's an old movie now.
I'm seriously looking at a Sonata as my next vehicle.
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Corey W. 3:38PM (4/27/2006)
"75 percent of Americans won't even consider a Hyundai."
There's a reason for that!! A little quick to be trying to hang with Toyota and Honda, especially in price, which is going to get you nothing but hurt feelings.
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Chris J 3:40PM (4/27/2006)
This is just as dumb as the Volkswagen Phaeton, overpriced for the brand. Stepping into territory it shouldnt.
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Kowell 3:41PM (4/27/2006)
I tryed it out and it'S really a nice car.. I was quite impressed.... transmission is a little slow to pass the gears when slowing down but appart from that it'S nice for the price
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sveroboy1 3:43PM (4/27/2006)
"We want consumers to know we are competitive against the imports [rather than] brands losing market share." Watch how quick this snide remark comes back to bite Hyundai right in their smug ass.
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Gunnar Heinrich 3:45PM (4/27/2006)
I've seen the new Azera up close. Every bit as nice looking and feeling as what would be some its main competitors - the Buick Lacrosse and Toyota Avalon.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Ryan S. 3:45PM (4/27/2006)
"Inside Line quotes a Hyundai spokesperson as saying the company won't pit the vehicle against its domestic rivals because "we want consumers to know we are competitive against the imports [rather than] brands losing market share." Ouch"
-Loving it!!! Hyundai has officially grown a set.
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Brian 3:54PM (4/27/2006)
Even with higher prices, Hyundai's cars are still undervalued, which means more value for the Hyundai consumer.
And what is the reason for that Corey? Because of what happened 20 years ago? I find it sad that people remember the pony instead of considering Hyundai's cars for their merits. Hyundai vehicles have been winning awards and recognition left and right, and now, have nothing to do with the cars who damaged their reputation so long ago.
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VL 4:04PM (4/27/2006)
"a Hyundai spokesperson as saying the company won't pit the vehicle against its domestic rivals because "we want consumers to know we are competitive against the imports [rather than] brands losing market share."
This is the same attitude the "domestic rivals" had. Look where it got them.
I took a close look at the much-hyped Sonata, and am still not convinced about the great Hyundai quality turnaround. They are still leagues behind Toyota and Honda, and should not compare themselves to such.
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Poe 4:10PM (4/27/2006)
RossL: Sorry, but that is a ridiculous comment. Besides the fact that I wouldn't pattern a single facet of my life after anything Alec Baldwin ever said, "Glengarry Glen Ross" came out in 1992 - that's nearly 15 years ago. I think it's safe to say that Hyundai has come a LONG way since then - much farther than most people give them credit for in fact. The word is getting out though. I think they can give the Japanese (nevermind the domestics) a serious run for their money RIGHT NOW - and they will only get better. The fact that they put their money where their mouth is with that awesome warranty is just icing on the cake.
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Bob Miller 4:17PM (4/27/2006)
Those "brands losing market share" still have a much higher fan base and what I'll refer to as a "desire to own" than Hyundai. Sorry Hyundai, you're good, but I wouldn't get that smug quite yet.
I'd still rather have a Chevy Impala, Ford 500 or a Dodge Charger than a Hyundai Sonata or Azera. The domestics all look nicer, have better histories attached to their respective nameplates, and will probably be worth more when I want to trade one of them in. Also, the domestics don't have interiors that look like wanta-be Japanese cars like the Hyundai does.
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Ryan S. 4:21PM (4/27/2006)
"I took a close look at the much-hyped Sonata, and am still not convinced about the great Hyundai quality turnaround."
-No ya didn't
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Ryan S. 4:22PM (4/27/2006)
If the EXCEL didn't kill Hyundai, then nothin will.
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Corey W. 4:23PM (4/27/2006)
Brian,
In the past, I have considered a Hyundai and have even recommended the Santa Fe to a family member. But like I said, it's a little early for them to say their domestic rivals are beneath them, and that they should be comparable to Honda and Toyota.
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Ryan S. 4:28PM (4/27/2006)
"Also, the domestics don't have interiors that look like wanta-be Japanese cars like the Hyundai does."
That's probably why domestics are losing market share.
Plus Hyundai's hold a pretty strong resale, here my story:
2002 Elantra purchased new $12,450 (stick shift)
2004-Traded in Elantra with 47k miles (only two years old w/47k) and got $8,200 trade in. Only owed 7,500 so actually got $700.00 to put toward my Mazda 3 from the Hyundai, it did great for me.
How much can you get a 2005 used Neon for? Isn't it like $4,999 and Bob's fine used cars?!
An Impala is a horrible case to argue in resale value, there in the trendy "under 10,000" lots all the time. (what are they new for a decent one like 24-26k?)
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Bob Miller 4:29PM (4/27/2006)
Perhaps I should say also that at least Hyundai knows who their prospective buyers are. May as well shoot for the cars that are selling in huge numbers (i.e., Camry, Accord, Civic, etc...). They just happen to be Japanese. If I were in marketing for Hyundai, I'd be chasing down the Camry and Accord buyers too. The Sonata is more similar in vein to the other Asian cars than say, a Dodge Charger or Chevy Impala. So I can see what they're doing.
I don't know, I'd rather leaf through photo albums as an old man of road trips and see my Dodge or Chevy in front of the Grand Canyon, or Wrigley Field instead of my Hyundai. hahahahaha.
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