Recent Comments:
Better late than never: Hyundai's new nav systems finally arrive {Autoblog}
Feb 11th 2008 9:18PM Let's not get racist here. Obviously, anyone that calls Korea a cheap country is not up to date on recent economic developments and should not be taken too seriously.
Korea is a far from a cheap country and the average Hyundai Motor manufacturing employee makes around $65k a year...not too bad for someone with only a high school degree. I know that is not as much as the $85k or so UAW workers in North America make, but it is still a heft amount. I heard Korean auto manufacturing wages are very similar to Japanese auto manufacturing wages.
Hyundai resets its sights on 500,000 units in 2008 {Autoblog}
Jan 29th 2008 1:29PM Automakers chase volume because success begets success in this industry. When people see others driving a certain vehicle, no matter how bland, they cannot help but consider the vehicle the next time around. As sad as it is, people are lemmings and tend to buy what others buy. Now to chase down the volume is the hard part, Toyota did it with quality, Honda with their reliable/tech image, etc...
Hyundai is in a good position to be a disruptive force in the automotive industry. However, no matter how much they spend on their marketing activities, they are digging themsevles out of a hole due to their negative brand equity.
In The Autoblog Garage: Lexus LS460L {Autoblog}
Jan 9th 2008 4:29PM Sales are not directly related to the quality of the product. Apple proves this over and over again as it sells the best but offers one of the poorest sound quality of any portable music player.
Lexus and Toyota are on a tear because common people believe they build superior vehicles. While that may or may not be the case, you cannot ignore the fact that consumers perception has now become reality.
Quick question...when looking to buy a MP3 player, what models do you look at? Be honest.
When looking to buy a car (midsize, small, CUV, etc..., what models do you consider? Be honest.
By Toyota/Lexus' sheer reputation, people think it is good, purchase it and tell others it is great in order to justify the purchase.
People are douches...how else can you explain the popularity of American Idol and brain-cell killing summer action movies.
Pics Aplenty: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan {Autoblog}
Jan 9th 2008 4:17PM Why do I get a weird feeling that it does not matter what Hyundai builds, they are always going to be people adamantly against the brand. Kind of reminds me of the guy at high school that everyone picks on just because everyone else seems to picks on him. I guess that is human nature, herd mentality at its finest.
The style is derivative yes, Hyundai lacks balls and is never going to be the design leader of the automotive industry...but then again who is. Low volume players seem to have a stranglehold on that title. The one obviously original part of the Genesis is the grille and people are bashing it left and right, which leads me to believe that people hate what is new and are only willing to accept what they are used to...and then turn around and hate what it is they are used to because it is now too common.
VIDEO: The Dark Knight returns, full trailer released into the wild {Autoblog}
Dec 17th 2007 1:04PM Nicholson's Joker was a joke...he was too over the top, silly and not sinister enough. Ledger's Joker is more inspired by "The Killing Joke" which would lead me to believe that he will be a real psychotic villan and way more sinister.
Not trying to deride Jack but he tends to overact and his acting style is pretty one dimesional. I remember watching The Departed and kept thinking the movie would be so much better if they had gotten someone else to play Frank Costello.
Toyota exec calls Hyundai "strong enemy" {Autoblog}
Nov 26th 2007 4:51PM Is this really true? I thought Hyundai's improvement in quality is a result of increased labor hours (more QA) rather than an improvement in process.
I remember reading a while back that it still takes Hyundai more manufacturing hours per vehicle than a comparable Toyota model.
Not that it really matters...a quality vehicle is a quality vehicle regardless of how efficiently it was made. Although I tend to believe the less human interaction, the better...or is it the other way around?
Green is for poseurs: 50% of Prius buyers want to "make a statement" {Autoblog}
Jul 5th 2007 8:09PM Boo-yaka-sha. Yo you sees I sees what you be sayin but does that mean the oil companeez are to blame? Are they not a buizness that is in it to makes a profit? How much doos you really saves by drivin a fusion vehicle?
Enough of my Ali G impersonation. If you look at it really, a hybrid vehicle was meant for congested Japanese streets, that is why their highway mileage is worse than their city mileage. That being said, the only real hybrid that is going to make a difference is the Chevrolet Volt. To have the vehicle powered by an electric engine with the gasoline engine act as a generator is pure genius. It is my understanding that this technology is currently used in certain trains so it is not just a pipe dream.
Green is for poseurs: 50% of Prius buyers want to "make a statement" {Autoblog}
Jul 5th 2007 7:51PM It is true that Honda is introducing a hybrid-only model with unique styling. Hybrid buyers want their decision to drive a hybrid be readily visible and that is one reason why the Prius is so popular.
If you really think about it, does driving a hybrid make you cool? There are plenty of other ways to show you care for the environment including, public transportation, insulating your house, etc... The more I think about, the more I feel that hybrid owners are a bunch of yuppie geeks who shop at trader joes, use Apple computers, pay $4 for a cup of coffee, etc...
Chrysler and Chery resume talks to build cheap cars in China {Autoblog}
Jul 5th 2007 7:43PM Whatever car (Dodge Hornet) Chery manufactures for Chrysler to be sold in the U.S. is going to have to pass U.S. safety regulations. That said, there is no doubt in my mind that the cars are going to be of questionable quality; they might pass crash tests but I would not bet a $1 on their QRD being adequate.
The deal states that the "premium-model" for the U.S. market will debut in mid-2009 and I am curious as to how that would turn out.
Cruel, sick joke: Bentley Continental badged as a Hyundai {Autoblog}
Jul 5th 2007 7:28PM Must be a Korean guy.
