Hot and Bothered - Hyundai’s RWD V8 Flagship Caught Testing!

hemidakota July 27th, 2006 10:44 AM Link

Nice….

jeffhenderson July 27th, 2006 11:53 AM Link

It simply amazes me that while Hyundai can follow the path carved out by Toyota and Honda that GM and Ford cannot (I leave Chrysler out as they are on a different course set by Dr. Z. and seem to be executing an actual plan).

Toyota/Honda had the formula to introduce small, efficient sedans and coupes that while initially underpowered had good build quality and allowed them to establish themselves and grow their “install” base by becoming competitive a segment at a time (small sedan to mid sedan to mid/large-luxury sedan to new luxury lineup…Corolla to Camry to Avalon to Lexus OR Civic to Accord to Acura OR Sentra to Altima to Maxima to Infiniti). Hyundai’s path is Accent/Elantra to Sonata to Azera to Equus to ).

As reported in the Detroit News recently Foreign Cars (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai primarily) have passed the Big 3 by in terms of US retail sales.
Hyundai has been following the Toyota/Honda model for some time now and we see the results before our eyes in the growth and maturity of their Elantra/Sonata products and their introduction of the Azera to the US market. Meanwhile, back in Motor City, GM and Ford are being run by accountants focused on things like pension and union issues while their watered-down, unfocused product lines continue to languish and sales continue to shift to Toyota, Honda, and crew.
It blows my mind how GM and Ford can just continue to happily “circle the bowl” while they watch others execute on a proven model for success, one that they could embark on even being as bloated and grotesque as they are now. Let’s look at Ford as an example:
1. Tier 1: small sedan/coupe. Focus vs Civic/Corolla/Elantra/Sentra. This car needs a complete refresh to deal with the re-tooled Corolla and Civic. How many old Civics and Corollas to you see on the road? Ask the same of the Focus. Ford needs to make their best new product their entry level product and build a foundation.
2. Tier 2: midsize sedan. Fusion/Milan/Zephyr vs. Accord/Camry/Sonata/Altima. One question: Does Toyota build multiple variations of the Camry, which seems like an expensive endeavor? Ford needs to lose Mercury and make Lincoln their Lexus which means the Zephyr is gone from Lincoln’s lineup. Make the Fusion a great car…don’t make 3 versions.
3. Tier 3: mid/large luxury sedan. 500/Montego/Town Car/Crown Vic vs. Avalon/TL/Maxima/Azera. I think if you look at these vehicles you’ll say Ford has brought a knife to a gunfight. This is what happens when you don’t execute on Tiers 1 and 2…you can’t on Tier 3.
4. Tier 4: luxury. Lincoln LS vs. Lexus ES/GS vs. Acura RL vs. Equus vs. Infiniti G/M. Further proof that when you don’t execute at the lower levels you can’t execute at the highest levels. With no foundational cars at Tiers 1-3 Ford can’t play at all on Tier 4 (no, the LS isn’t a bad car, but given the competition let’s be real).

Mustang. Ford GT. Lincoln Navigator. Great vehicles all, but are they foundational vehicles for Ford to build on? I say no, but this is where they seem to invest. And lest GM should escape unscathed here (I usually just give them my opinion via the FastLane blog), they are every bit as bad as Ford. Are they busy responding to Toyota, to Honda, to Hyundai right now, working vigorously on a high-quality, desireable mid-sized sedan? No…they roll out Solstice and continue to wave their arms and talk Camaro. Are those foundational vehicles? You know the answer.

Peace out…Jeff

Cap'n Rarrington July 27th, 2006 1:30 PM Link

Jeff,

I work for Ford, but must say that it is hard to argue your logic. Ford and Mercury are basically the same car, only minor aesthetic differences and badging. It makes absolutely no sense to have two virtually similar brands…can someone say cannibalism?!?

My heart is with Ford. For many years they have been on the cutting edge of innovation, but I whole-heartedly agree some major changes need to be made. Your idea of working from the ground up makes complete sense, Jeff. The Focus needs a serious revamping. Fortunately, the “new blood” in Ford has the desire and skill to make those changes.

Ford got too comfortable in the last couple of decades drinking and getting fat. As global competition enters the marketplace, there is NO ROOM for anyone to get comfortable. It is important for Ford to realize that if a turnaround occurs, they can never rest on their laurels. Constant innovation, product improvement, and re-assessment of the competition is absolutely necessary.

Spy Shots: 2008 Hyundai Equus -- Auto Insider News July 29th, 2006 11:07 AM Link

[…] ## Source: Winding Road ## […]

need4speed August 4th, 2006 12:05 AM Link

A V8 in a Hyundai? That’s a little avantgarde. But, I’m not saying I don’t like the idea. And the car’s styling isn’t bad either.

William Raun August 8th, 2006 4:22 PM Link

I am a current Hyundai salesperson and I believe that Hyundai is already up to if not over par when it comes to competiors. The Eqqus would be a welcome addition to our line up. The Azera, and the new Sonata have already jumped in slaes to where Hyundai is on everyones look list. The Eqqus is what we need to to push us over the top.

Winding Road » Archive » Hyundai Equus Caught In Detroit December 30th, 2006 4:51 PM Link

[…] Seen testing in warmer climes earlier this year, Hyundai’s flagship Equus rear-wheel drive sedan is out and about in Detroit. We caught this white prototype yesterday on M-14 West and I-275 North, traveling in a pack with two other family vehicles — a Kia Sorento and Hyundai Azera. […]

Rob December 30th, 2006 10:19 PM Link

Very nice work by Hyundai they seem to have a solid business model. The thing is ford has awsome cars, even the focus is incredible OVERSEAS. If Ford would bring over the beloved Focus RS chassis they’d have a better chance of compeating with Corollas and Civics. I mean in terms of even HP the edge goes to the Euro Focus over the Civic Si. It’s sad to see the domestic car makers miss like that. That being said Dodge seems to do well with thier cars (in my opinion). And the SRT’s get great reviews usually.