LexBob2

I think you're correct about the Azera. I wonder if it will go away. I believe it sells only 300 per month or less in North America. It sounds like a decent car but hasn't found much of a market.

SLegacy99

It all looks the same to me.

The G Man

The Hyundai dealer where I live is enough to drive any luxury car buyers away. The salesmans are pushy and un-polite. The showroom had their doors open because it was too hot in there. There waiting area is consist of 2 10 year couch and a 32" CRT TV. People on forums talk about what a great deal they are and how they have improve over the years, but how many of you would really buy one. Hyundai has a long way to go before luxury cars buyers will really consider them as a true luxury brand.

Threxx

Then maybe you should have said there's too much overlap in their styling. What you said indicated the models as a whole overlapped too much.

That said, I really don't agree with that statement either. Sure they share some similarities in the way they look, but no more than any other brand with common design themes.

madoka

This is great news. I hope Hyundai does really well because that will put more pressure on Lexus to compete.

Personally I have some misgivings about the Equus though. Last time I priced a LS460, well equipped, it cost some $64K (MSRP around $73K). If the Equus comes too close to the low $60K range, then it will fail.

The G Man

Not only that, but I would rather buy a 1 year old LS for $60K than a new 60 thousand dollar Hyundai.

LexFather

I doubt many LS/S/7 series buyers jump to an Equus or BMW, Benz, Lexus drivers in general. I do see Lincoln, Acura, Volvo, Saab, and those other guys continuing to fight for the scraps on the table.

Though sales volume will be very very low for this car. Its still a huge slap in the face to supposed luxury brands who have NO ANSWER for this D class flagship.

We are talking about a HYUNDAI many luxury brands have NO ANSWER FOR.

Pass me the lol pie

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yeah i also know people who think all bmw and mb and lexus look similar too

btw, the equus i saw yesterday, it's so quiet when it's running

rominl

iTrader: (4)

agree. i personally don't see myself getting this car (or hyundai) yet, but what they have done and their trend, i am giving them a lot of respect

Threxx

I can see people who buy in the LS/S/7 tier jumping down to this tier to save money or to fly under the badge radar when they don't want people questioning their finances. However I do think the majority of people will be those who were shopping a class below and see that they can get a car that's a class above for similar money to what they were shopping for.

The G Man

Hyundai is just doing what Lexus did years ago, a high quality car at a low price. Except Lexus did it right, they created a new luxury division and brand new dealership. Like my wife always say, if you are going to do something, dont do it half ares.

LexFather

Yup. I give Hyundai a lot of respect here and a lot of brands lost a lot of respect. I mean imagine buying a supposed luxury brand and Hyundai has a superior/truer luxury vehicle like the Genesis and now Equus. Its just embarrassing.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i agree with the 2nd part. probably a lot of E/5/GS owners will see that for about the same money they can get "that much" more. however for S/7/LS owners, i don't really think a lot would care.

there are 2 types of owners in that case. one is people where money isn't really much of an issue, and brand reputation, loyalty are what they follow with. the other group are brand poser where they just want the brand name. for those people, they wouldn't want to run a hyundai badge over their mb or bmw

i also noticed the same, but i think toyota (back in 1989) was also larger and more financially capable than the hyundai now. creating a new brand is no joke, it's a lot of commitment and tons of advertising / promotion / management, etc... from that point of view i am not sure if it would have been a good thing for hyundai to do.

of course, how do they proceed now, that's the question to ask. with the hyundai brand they will have some resistance regardless. but i think once their cars get more exposure and reputation, maybe then is the time

lexus brand just came out in japan a few yrs ago as well and started converting cars over (soarer to sc430 as a start)

The G Man

The Hyundai name will always be associated with a ecomomy car. Thats the same reason Toyota dont make $60000 luxury sedans.

LexFather

One of the reasons for slow GS sales in Japan is the Toyota Crown has been around what 40 years and is a HUGE luxurious "name" in Japan. Loaded its 60k....



I totally agree that Hyundai will have that economy car cache to it but they are doing a great job making people forget they sell Accents!