Hyundai CEO says early Genesis Coupe sales numbers are "simply smoking"
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe - Click above for high-res gallery
"Simply smoking." Those are the exact words that John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai USA, used to describe early sales of the automaker's new Genesis Coupe during a recent interview with Motor Trend. The highly-anticipated two-door is selling better than the Genesis Sedan, which arrived on the market last year, even though Hyundai has focused more advertising dollars on the larger luxury sedan.
Still a newcomer, the Genesis Coupe is offered in turbocharged 2.0-liter and normally-aspirated 3.8-liter trim. The bulk of the cars on dealer lots have been the V6 models, with the late-to-arrive four-cylinder variants (including the Track model and next year's R-Spec model) yet to make a significant impact on sales. Seemingly undeterred by its $27,500 sticker price, Krafcik says that more than 50 percent of the 3.8-liter buyers are driving home in the loaded Grand Touring model (the entry-level 2.0T starts at just $22,000).
Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
[Source: Motortrend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
hyundai Car salesman 11:33AM (3/16/2009)
but, but but..the 0-60 time sucks! How could these people be duped into buying such a car with a horrible 60 time as so many armchair car ANALysts (aka posters) on Autoblog point out. These buyers are stupid. They should be spending more time reading the opinions of autobloggers to make informed decisions before wasting their money on such a car!
Reply
Gary 11:09AM (3/16/2009)
"Whee!!! I follow hype!"
John 11:10AM (3/16/2009)
Rofl. Sarcasm win.
Vincenzo 11:21AM (3/16/2009)
This car is butt ugly
Serge 11:30AM (3/16/2009)
While I applaud that you learned how to use sarcasm... it doesn't change the fact that this is supposedly a "world beating" sports car in the $27,000 to $37,000 range. The fact that it is ridiculously slower than it's closest competition is much funnier than your sarcasm. A 2010 Mustang GT is not only much faster in a straight line, but has better skid-pad performance without an IRS... not to mention is way better looking and has a rich history behind it.
Jason 11:35AM (3/16/2009)
My concern centers on not the 0-60 time, but the weird engine power cutting that happens if you shift too close to redline? And the tach that lags which makes it hard to avoid doing so.
hyundai Car salesman 11:38AM (3/16/2009)
Serge,
Then you can wait patiently at your local street light in your Camaro for the that guy who bought his Genesis so you can smoke him. Not only do you get to smoke some guy in a Hyundai with your rad camaro but better yet your name is Serge.I envy you.
ConceptVBS 11:42AM (3/16/2009)
@Jason
Hyundai has fixed that issue. They are issuing a reflash for the ECU to all the dealers and are doing the same to all their cars at the ports.
extinctdoughnut 11:43AM (3/16/2009)
Actually I think the correct terminology is "bitchin' Camaro".
hyundai Car salesman 12:07PM (3/16/2009)
Extinctdoughnut,
Thank you for correcting me. His Bitchin Camero. I wonder if he'll have "SERGE" written on the doors in flames out letters?
Serge 11:59AM (3/16/2009)
@hyundai Car salesman
You should envy me... you sell and drive Hyundais.
hyundai Car salesman 12:14PM (3/16/2009)
Yes Serge,
I do sell Hyundais. I started with nothing and now I make 6 figures and helped the dealership grow to where we employ many and have many happy clients who come back to repurchase new cars. Times have been tough and we've all sacrificed to make sure we have no lay offs. So while I'll let you feel smug while you post how cool you are in your Camaro while ripping on a company that has more going for it than GM right now, I hope you are doing your part to provide jobs for people like I am.
larry a 12:47PM (3/16/2009)
Serge = owned
jsjs 1:32AM (3/18/2009)
Serge -
In that case, the G37 must really be a POS for being $10K more than the GenCoupe and yet only 2/10ths of a second quicker.
And looks are subjective - the Mustang has a decent front fascia, but the side and rear are fugly (the Genesis, otoh, has a better side and rear, but the wrong-size and shape of the grille mars the front).
Anyway, as pony cars go, the Challenger trumps both the Mustang and Camaro.
As for skidpad performance, yes - the Mustang GT w/ Track Pack puts up impressive nos. - but the nos. don't tell the entire story.
The Mustang has more body roll and the suspension gets jumpy on uneven pavement (the GT w/o the Track Pack has even more body roll and other issues).
Anyway, the people looking to buy a proper 2+2 coupe (esp. one that is tuner friendly) is a diff. market from that of muscle car enthusiasts).
MikeofLA 11:09AM (3/16/2009)
I sat in this car on Saturday, and I must admit, it was amazing, Very high quality. I like the brown leather interior. The only thing that really sucks is the rear head room, anyone taller then 5'8" won't fit back there, but I guess most coupes suffer from that problem.
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Red 11:19AM (3/16/2009)
Then something pretty drastic changed since I last saw them. I sat in two at two different shows and the interiors were terrible compared to vehicles in the price range. They weren't HORRIBLE, as you'd expect I suppose of a Hyundai/Kia product (stereotype, I know), but they weren't what everyone was raving about. You can clearly see where costs were cut to get the price low.
The seats were supportive though, which was nice.
Parkerman 11:35AM (3/16/2009)
I agree with Mike..
I sat in one and its interior was very nice.
Frank 11:57AM (3/16/2009)
"The only thing that really sucks is the rear head room, anyone taller then 5'8" won't fit back there, but I guess most coupes suffer from that problem. "
Well, that will be enough for Consumer Reports to not reccomend it, 'cause they know we all buy two door sport coupes for the rear seat headroom.
Rob 12:10PM (3/16/2009)
@ Frank: I love when they test the sporty version of a car, then say it sucks because the "ride is firmer". WTF. What a stupid magazine.
Ligor 12:23PM (3/16/2009)
I got to agree with Red
I sat in one and the interior was nowhere near the Genesis Sedan levels of luxury
the 2010 Mustang's interior is better than the one in the Genesis
you might wanna just drive and sit in some other cars, like the 3-series, G37, CTS and then you can be sure how great this Hyundai interior is, or just sit in the Genesis sedan once.