"Wanna bet VW secretly buys one of those Hyundais to take a closer look?"
Carmakers have been dissecting competitors' cars for years. I remember a part of Arthur Haley's "Wheels" novel (not bad as far as its description of carmakers in the early 70s) that went into some detail on GM's building where they kept the VW parts.
I like the idea behind this thing, it is discreet, doesn't have the weird jacked up with cheap bodykit look that current conversions are cursed with.
For those of us who are aware, I'd hardly call it discreet. Sort of like an Element an an FJ Cruiser had a baby - a really big baby. This thing is 202" long.
The reasons for that look are because the converted minivans have their rear suspension modified to be able to carry the load of the ramp and the bodykit it to hide that they lowered the floor to meet and ADA angle requirements of the ramp
The MV-1 is starts at about $49K. Buying and converting a standard mini-van would cost more.
BTW, it's body on frame using a Ford 4.6L V8 and being built in an AM General facility.
I don't think Samsung phones are perfect - for example, cheapo build quality no matter what is inside. I had a Samsung and it was fine, but I've had really good luck with HTC products that feel much nicer in my hand. Spend a dollar more on a case and it feels like it is worth 10x as much...someone understands this.
But it looks natural as to what it is, not something that has been (poorly) modified. I think that's worth a lot in visual terms. Just yesterday I saw a Freestar conversion, and it was hideous, rear end jacked up like some old 70s drag car.
I think all vehicles these days have parts from some surprising locations, even the home bases of competitors. No doubt some Korean cars even do this, even if their pride (that we are somehow forbidden) would oppose it.
Who can say this steering adjustment function started at Hyunkia to begin with? VW will make their own which functions the same, but has 3x the moving parts :shades:
Having made many trips of easy driving on I-70 to and from Columbus in the past year, I get to watch the other cars. I keep noticing more and more Subarus.
But what has been more important, is that their style and overall appearance are attractive. I notice Legacys and Outbacks especially as they pass me. Their appearance doesn't yell "foreign" or anything like some of the others. In fact, they have a very pleasing appearance. They fit the idea that a car looks like a car and not a jukebox or something with an oddity to it. Don't let ateixeira know that I kind of like them. I'll never hear the end.
That must be a highlight of living in that region - weird car sightings. Every similarly plated car I see like that here tends to be a boring lowline entry lux car.
That's what you get when you offer one powertrain choice, and it's the most boring one. Then some worthless overpaid exec can scream "nobody wants wagons!" and they'll make another useless SUV for spoiled irresponsible stay at home types to amble around in :sick:
Is there any clearinghouse site for other makers? I am curious about the Koreans and Nissan.
On topic, I saw this thing on the road this morning, I assume it was the same car, can't be too many around yet
Yeah, no manual and no V6 for the TSX wagon, which is heavier and needs one of those (or both!).
Google "prnewswire [make] sept 2011 sales" and you'll find all of them on the first page of hits.
Here's the minivan race:
85,830 GCs 83,188 Swagger Wagons 76,021 Odys
Kia Sedona is under 20k, told ya they need the KV7 concept in production ASAP. Nissan is not even a player, under 10k sales so far this year, the Quest misses the mark.
Cool thanks, very handy stuff. How the hell did Hyundai sell 817 Veracruz? 10 Borrego sold...lol. MB showing 4 B-class sold, weird. I assume these aren't entirely retail numbers.
Borrego was dropped a while ago, so those are a few oddball leftovers.
Veracruz aren't bad - sit in one next car show you attend, it'll surprise you. They're actually comfy. They just don't stand out in any way - too small for the segment, sorta pricey, old tech engine, too close to the Santa Fe, which costs a bunch less and got a better powertrain.
That segment is just way too crowded for a so-so effort.
I saw the Azera on there too. I can't imagine people opening their wallets in 2011 for a new Borrego or a new Azera. Regarding Veracruz...well, it's a vehicle, I don't know how much of an effort it is. Looks like the old Hyundai to me. Lots of cars are comfy, but I can do better for my money.
Yeah, not sure when dealers will have the new Azera in stock. IMHO it's too close in price to a Genesis, you'd have to be crazy or cheap to not step up to the rear-driver.
As far as the Veracruz, I wonder even *IF* they will replace it, at all. The Santa Fe is overdue, they should focus on that. At least it got a sweet V6 upgrade. Time for a full re-do for both.
I bet it will be an old timer Korean choice, and a fleet darling, the old Azera was well known in some fleets and V6 Genesis are in some now too. As you say, why buy the bland car when the better car will be virtually the same money.
Sounds like the H wants to go all German in its soft roaders, they now need one for below the Tucson, one above the Veracruz, and one inbetween the Tucson and Santa Fe :shades:
Frankly I wouldn't be surprised if Azera got dropped. Hyundai is pretty sedan-heavy, with having the Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Azera, Genesis, and Equus in the lineup.
For those who complain about the Genesis being RWD in the snow belt, an AWD Genesis would mean there'd be little reason for the Azera to exist. And AWD is slated for the Genesis in 2014.
They've got a new Grandeur already, so I'm sure we'll see another Azera here.
For me, though, a base Genesis overlaps a little with a loaded Sonata. I'm all over the Genesis for even close to the same money. RWD, 333hp, 8 speeds, 29mpg highway?
The Azera will squeeze in to a pretty tight price niche.
different strokes for different folks. We even have a few here (like TJC).
I know a guy that works for Hyundai corporate, and he usually had new stuff about 6 months before release (he deals with service training). So, I saw the Genny in person well before they hit dealers. I remember at the time him being impressed by how fast it was, but he said that he preferred the Azera he normally drove because it was better for cruising (he did a lot of highway driving with them).
so I expect a new one so they can keep competing for the Avalon/ES330 crowd.
I wonder if H will have the cojones to offer the "Grandeur" (now there's a name for an invisible FWD blandboat) in Europe at the same price as an E or 5er like the previous one :shades:
Europeans as a general rule only like European higher line cars or large cars. A few others may trickle in as freakshows, but even the old Optima and Sonata were very hard sells there, and they were priced normally.
Genesis without a diesel wouldn't sell there, and IMO the market would be very in tune to it being kind of an E60 knockoff - especially if priced above the Grandeur (aka firmly into legit 5er territory). In Europe, they do sell a fair amount of smaller vehicles, although I suspect not because of steering column operation.
Trying to sell a Hyundai for the price of a 5-Series in Europe? Maybe they should call it the "Delusions of Grandeur." You'd have to be schizophrenic to believe a Hyundai is on par with a legitimate European luxury brand.
Comments
Carmakers have been dissecting competitors' cars for years. I remember a part of Arthur Haley's "Wheels" novel (not bad as far as its description of carmakers in the early 70s) that went into some detail on GM's building where they kept the VW parts.
Blow it up a hundred times and you'll be able to make out the split hairs.
For those of us who are aware, I'd hardly call it discreet. Sort of like an Element an an FJ Cruiser had a baby - a really big baby. This thing is 202" long.
The reasons for that look are because the converted minivans have their rear suspension modified to be able to carry the load of the ramp and the bodykit it to hide that they lowered the floor to meet and ADA angle requirements of the ramp
The MV-1 is starts at about $49K. Buying and converting a standard mini-van would cost more.
BTW, it's body on frame using a Ford 4.6L V8 and being built in an AM General facility.
Agreed.
What's new is that Germans are now doing it to Korean cars.
Yes, I think the Germans are amazed that the Koreans can copy so well, second only to the Chinese. :P
Apple is more like MS than some want to admit.
So, so true.
The tsunami in Japan caused a shortage of Ford Super Duty models. Go figure.
Subaru is using Korean suppliers in the short-term due to a shortage of lighting products. Hyundai, as a matter of fact.
When VW acquires a Korean style steering assembly
Would they ever admit it?
Who can say this steering adjustment function started at Hyunkia to begin with? VW will make their own which functions the same, but has 3x the moving parts :shades:
You may have forgotten the Mitsubishi Precis but it was basically an Excel clone that Mitsu got as payback.
Joke's on them.
That would compete with the Nissan Juke here, so it may not be pretty but next to the Juke it's a Victoria's Secret model.
Such an aweful name.
But what has been more important, is that their style and overall appearance are attractive. I notice Legacys and Outbacks especially as they pass me. Their appearance doesn't yell "foreign" or anything like some of the others. In fact, they have a very pleasing appearance. They fit the idea that a car looks like a car and not a jukebox or something with an oddity to it. Don't let ateixeira know that I kind of like them. I'll never hear the end.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Never mind.
LOL
Outback crushes Crosstour and Venza. Acura sold 87 ZDXs last month, nation-wide.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acura-announces-september-2011-sales-res- ults-130992908.html
A lot of papers pick up that feed so you'll see the same article run by several media outlets.
I go straight to the source because then you bypass whatever "spin" The Detroit News or whoever tried to put on it.
Only 261 TSX wagons, a shame. That's arguably the most attractive Acura in the lineup.
Then I saw a Peugoet 107! Talk about rare, it may be the only one in the country. It was bright yellow just like this one:
http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/75823,8919/2006-Peugeot-107_photo.aspx
Looks about Scion iQ-sized, a little bigger than the Smart ForTwo, but still not a "real" car, LOL.
Then a blue Tucson. Then the Tucson owner started talking to me (I had the top down), and funny enough, it's a co-worker of mine, another IT guy.
Turns out he loves it, but his wife just got an Optima and they like that even more.
I'll have to ask him what he drove before, out of curiosity.
'98 Civic.
Told ya the Koreans were picking up that slack.
Is there any clearinghouse site for other makers? I am curious about the Koreans and Nissan.
On topic, I saw this thing on the road this morning, I assume it was the same car, can't be too many around yet
Google "prnewswire [make] sept 2011 sales" and you'll find all of them on the first page of hits.
Here's the minivan race:
85,830 GCs
83,188 Swagger Wagons
76,021 Odys
Kia Sedona is under 20k, told ya they need the KV7 concept in production ASAP. Nissan is not even a player, under 10k sales so far this year, the Quest misses the mark.
Quest has been a weirdo since 04, just too odd.
Veracruz aren't bad - sit in one next car show you attend, it'll surprise you. They're actually comfy. They just don't stand out in any way - too small for the segment, sorta pricey, old tech engine, too close to the Santa Fe, which costs a bunch less and got a better powertrain.
That segment is just way too crowded for a so-so effort.
As far as the Veracruz, I wonder even *IF* they will replace it, at all. The Santa Fe is overdue, they should focus on that. At least it got a sweet V6 upgrade. Time for a full re-do for both.
Sounds like the H wants to go all German in its soft roaders, they now need one for below the Tucson, one above the Veracruz, and one inbetween the Tucson and Santa Fe :shades:
2013 Model Year.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/hyundai-santa-fe-2013.html
Funny thing is the Santa Fe is selling briskly. I think that new engine helps, as does increased showroom traffic from other, newer models.
For those who complain about the Genesis being RWD in the snow belt, an AWD Genesis would mean there'd be little reason for the Azera to exist. And AWD is slated for the Genesis in 2014.
Was oping for the turbo 4. Actually, the NA option will probably be fine. But what the heck, extra power with about the same MPG? Might as well!
and it said to expect a more upscale 5 passenger, which is what I want.
Hope it is roomy enough. and of course, not crazy expensive.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
For me, though, a base Genesis overlaps a little with a loaded Sonata. I'm all over the Genesis for even close to the same money. RWD, 333hp, 8 speeds, 29mpg highway?
The Azera will squeeze in to a pretty tight price niche.
I know a guy that works for Hyundai corporate, and he usually had new stuff about 6 months before release (he deals with service training). So, I saw the Genny in person well before they hit dealers. I remember at the time him being impressed by how fast it was, but he said that he preferred the Azera he normally drove because it was better for cruising (he did a lot of highway driving with them).
so I expect a new one so they can keep competing for the Avalon/ES330 crowd.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
They should offer the Genesis as their only big sedan. Even the Sonata only if they have a decent diesel for it.
I think the i20 and i30 are better suited for European consumption. The VW CEO thinks so, at least.
Genesis without a diesel wouldn't sell there, and IMO the market would be very in tune to it being kind of an E60 knockoff - especially if priced above the Grandeur (aka firmly into legit 5er territory). In Europe, they do sell a fair amount of smaller vehicles, although I suspect not because of steering column operation.