Toyota Fearing Hyundai?

1313234363741

Comments

  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    My aunt just bought a Sonata after driving her daughter's 2007 Camry. You will be seeing more losses to Hyundai as they are able to add capacity.

    That sucking noise you hear is your loss of sales as the buying public wises up.


    I know you didn't just put Hyundai and a sucking noise in the same sentence. Oh no you didn't! :sick:

    How could you let her daughter buy a Camry? Didn't you tell her about the dozens of people who would get one over a Camry? :P

    Couldn't sell her daughter either, huh? Well, who could blame ya..... :blush:

    You have conveniently glossed over the fact that Toyota dumped the Cressida in favor of the ES250 that was not even close to the Cressida. They hoped the LS400 would carry the fancy Camry rebadge ES250.

    Yeah, Lexus totally botched that. They went right down the tubes! What was that all about? :confuse:

    You should work for Lexus, and get their game straight.

    DrFill
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    I am confused - what point were you trying to make?

    Let me understand this clearly, what you are saying, Hyundai owners keep their cars too long, so their sales are lagging. Wow, that makes so much sense.


    This is your camp's train of thought I've been forced to follow for too long now. You were trying to make a point and got lost, and I tried to crystallize it, but probably also fell into your Twilight Zone. :confuse:

    I just regurgitated what I'm hearing.

    Garbage in, garbage out. Makes we want to....regurgitate. :sick:

    DrFill
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    You could string it out until you get equal value for both cars, by driving the Toyota 15 years and the Hyundai 10 years.

    15 years ain't happenin' with Toyotas! The warranty is only 5 years!
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    CEO of Toyota Japan, right?

    My man Jim wouldn't say that
    .

    Better not let the CEO of Toyota hear that, or your man Jim will be looking for a job.

    Give Toyota some credit. There are some very smart people running that organization.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    How could you let her daughter buy a Camry? Didn't you tell her about the dozens of people who would get one over a Camry?

    I will respond even though most of your posts are unintelligible. My aunt was going to trade her Cressida in on a new Camry. When she drove the Camry she could not believe how much Toyota had gone down hill in the last 16 years. She loves her new Sonata. Not going to be an uncommon occurance. :sick:
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    As a 3-time Toyota owner (very nearly 4, had Toyota not taken too long to build the Prius I ordered), I have no problem buying Toyotas if they fit my needs. The difference between me and some other people is that I don't see Toyota as some "magic" brand for which every vehicle is automatically the best in class and should be purchased without looking at the competition--competition such as Hyundai. I research my vehicle purchases carefully and buy whatever best fits my needs at the time, for the lowest possible cost. If a Toyota happens to do that next time I buy a car, I'll buy a Toyota. But I might also buy a Hyundai, and I have no qualms about doing that after having two pleasant ownership experiences with Hyundai over the past seven years.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    But it's up to Hyundai how long it will take, and how long it will take to catch up.

    I thought that was up to you. You laid out a plan for Hyundai's success in an earlier post. ;)

    Hey Fill, do you remember why Toyota made a spinoff brand name? I don't know all the reasons, but the widely accepted perception was that Toyota's name wouldn't be accepted on expensive near-luxury models. People would say "I ain't spending that much money on a TOYOTA, for goshsakes". I think Hyundai will need a lot fewer years to shake their brand stigma than Toyota.

    Do not misread me. This is not Toyota bashing. They have a great company, and make wonderful cars. You just need to accept the reality that not everything about the company and the cars are perfect. You need to accept the reality that other, less expensive cars can equal or better Toyota at some things. Not in 25 years, but today.

    If I said Hyundai cars were better in every way then Toyota cars, my credibility would drop to zero, and deservedly so. How about you? Maybe a little introspection is in order. ;)
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    This is your camp's train of thought I've been forced to follow for too long now. You were trying to make a point and got lost, and I tried to crystallize it, but probably also fell into your Twilight Zone.

    I just regurgitated what I'm hearing.

    Garbage in, garbage out. Makes we want to....regurgitate.


    When someone's asking for clarification, they are not trying to make a point but rather the person is (I was) only looking to gain an understanding and clarify what you were trying to say. Let's not get defensive and start personal attacks here.

    To recap, you said,

    I guess that's why Hyundai sales don't go up. Owners are waiting 15 years to get their value.

    And I asked,

    Sales are lagging b/c owners keep their cars too long? I just wanted to put the logic together, that was all :)
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    What knowledge did you want us to seek?

    RE: V6 family comparison. I assume you read the entire review and the second opinion from the editors, right? I am also assuming you read the comparison earlier to this between the Accord, Camry, and Sonata, right?

    http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=109710/pageNumber=6

    RE: Hyundai May sales - ??? I am just as confused as the comparison links the reasons you posted.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    He Dr Fill did you happen to read this?

    Bottom line? I'll take the $25,000 Hyundai with its more-than-adequate content and gets-the-job-done performance. Pile on its 100,000-mile powertrain and five-year roadside assistance warranties, and it's probably the smartest buy of the bunch.

    Its on page 6.

    A little hint, if you are going to reference an article to promote Toyota make sure it doesn't say that the Sonata is the smartest buy in the bunch.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    rats you beat me to it. :cry:

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    To find the knucklehead in the bunch, and pass him of as Jesus.

    It's as if your punches get weaker, and weaker......

    Maybe next week you will be more challenging. :blush:

    Not holding my breath of anything.....

    DrFill
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    I guess there is no answer for Sonata's sales plummet (down 30%), while Camry surges almost 10% (10% of a whole lot is a lot). Not that this is unusual, as Toyota has consistently risen about the same all decade.

    Maybe you guys need more friends.....

    To convince.

    Still only need 5....10 years? Right. ;)

    DrFill
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Knucklehead? I don't see a knucklehead. Oh, wait, of course I do. :P

    Have a nice weekend!
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Clever. :surprise:

    DrFill
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    I thought the Sonata was better than the Camry. Is that not the case?

    Edmunds can't wait to disagree.

    As good as the last Camry, maybe.

    I was hoping to have a better leap frog partner. :(

    Toyota will have to slow down a little bit.

    Or a lotta bit. :blush:

    Or choose a better partner (Honda?).

    DrFill
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I thought the Sonata was better than the Camry. Is that not the case?

    Edmunds can't wait to disagree


    Again let me repeat what edmunds said:

    "Bottom line? I'll take the $25,000 Hyundai with its more-than-adequate content and gets-the-job-done performance. Pile on its 100,000-mile powertrain and five-year roadside assistance warranties, and it's probably the smartest buy of the bunch."

    There right in black and white Sonata being the smartest buy in the bunch. Sounds like Edmunds agrees with me at least and not with you.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    There right in black and white Sonata being the smartest buy in the bunch.

    Maybe a smart buy for the few that are buying them.

    Hyundai's gotta be disappointed with those sales numbers.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Oh I don't know considering their capacity to build and their past sales numbers I wouldn't be disappointed if I were them.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    I guess there is no answer

    You post a random link and expect someone to know from your confusing post in the first place what you were trying to say...geesh...did you even take the time to do a little research before posting?

    See the following post for the Sonata; as for the Camry, for a new car, and a new variant - hybrid, and increased fleet sales, I would be surprised if the raw number lost traction vs. last year's.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    Hyundai's gotta be disappointed with those sales numbers.

    Actually I'd have to throw you a big no on that speculation. Based on my meetings with people within Hyundai, they are quite satisfied with the way the Sonata has performed so far. You could argue the Sonata is the car which put Hyundai on the map; the Sonata is driving perspective buyers into the showroom, which also gives them a chance to preview other products as well. FWIW, Sonata's sale has improved quite a bit over the previous generation.

    This so called sales dip is going to last throughout this year when compared to last year (YOY), as expected. Explained previously, Hyundai ran a purposeful program to get "as many butts into the Sonata as possible", in other words, to gain presence in the heavily contested mid-size class, as well as promote its brand name. The comparison between this year and last year is quite skewed but as said, the Sonata pitches more than just sales success over past generation, but also gaining traction for the brand.

    Believe it or not, the major increase of the Santa Fe actually puts Hyundai at a better position. Hyundai is offering I4s and V6s across the Sonata trims for the 2008 model year, among other changes, which gives more choices for the consumers.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Pull my finger. LOL! :P

    Let me be they first to toast Hyundai's success (ding)! :shades:

    Don't you hear that rumbling noise? Is that an earthquake? No! It's a stampede! To see the Hyundai Sonata!

    Not to buy it, just to see it. Oh yeah, I was there, man!

    I think I read that in a Ford Sales press release somewhere. Now THAT is marketing at it's best. ;)

    Not that Hyundai would use a domestic sales pitch or anything.

    No. :blush:



    DrFill
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    Thank you for arguing against the truth. Come again soon!
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    "I think of the 3 the Sonata is far and away better looking than the Camry or Altima. I hate that fat rear end on the Altima. It improved over the last iteration. Still needs more help."

    I'm sorta with you on the Altima back end(well the 07 anyway) its kinda weird looking. I actally do like the 02-06 exterior look better than than the 07 model. The 02-06 Altima was a looker while the new one(07 Altima) just doesn;t do anything for me in terms of looks.

    "Last generation Camry was not a beauty, though it was not ugly. The last generation Camry had better rear headroom also."

    Last generation Canry was boring looking, the new one is alot better looking although the front grille look could use some work. I acttually do like the new generation amount of headroom: its a perfect amount of interior room for me overall.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    IIRC, the headroom of the current generation Camry, both front and rear are smaller than the previous generation.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    "You keep mentioning the car that put Toyota into the big leagues, the Cressida."

    Your right the Cressida did have alot of brand equity brand name wise.

    "Dropping that to build the ES250 was the beginning of a long down hill slide."

    I agree sort of because the Es250 wasn't exactly a big seller. However with that being said when Toyota renamed the the ES250 the ES300 and the ES 300*(or the ES Series as a whole) did sell well for the Lexus banner so Toyota just learned their mistakes that they made with the ES250 and thus thats why the ES 300(Well now ES350) became a good selling car.

    "As that reputation is eroded by cheap interiors, rattles, squeaks and failing transmissions, what is left?"

    Your talking about the 07 Canry quality well why would somebody buy a first year car of a new bodystyle because a a generation of car(5-6 year modelcyle) for the most part is going to have more problems in its first year of bodystyle than any other year of its model cycle.

    "A company that looks a lot like GM did a few years ago."

    GM was a discount automaker that sold cars at heavy
    discounts a few years ago, Toyota is not that right now. However GM looks to becoming back a bit with their Saturn Line in paricular: the Aura is a good product even though styling is not for me, the the Saturn Outlook looks to follow in the Aura's suit in being a being a solid product.

    "If Hyundai keeps their nose to the grindstone and does not get too carried away with numbers as Toyota has, they will be in a good position to pick up disgruntled ToyLex customers".

    Tue, If people don;t have a good experience with a Toyota(or any other automaker for that matter) a customer most of the time will switch car brands.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    "You are probably right about comparing GM to Toyota. That is giving Toyota way too much credit."

    I do think Toyota has been a much better run company than GM since at least the late 80's. However, I do think GM;s management has wiseend up since 2002-2003 and especially in the last couple of years particularly.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    "See the following post for the Sonata; as for the Camry, for a new car, and a new variant - hybrid, and increased fleet sales,"

    I agree with you that the Camry is new car(in it being redesigned) and the Camry having a hybrid variant has led to led robust sales for the Camry in the past year but do you have any proof of Toyota increasing fleet sales of rthe Camry from say like 2 years ago? I mean the new Camry was only out for 3 months time last year in it being released n March 2006 I think so Toyota couldn't have dumped that many 07 Camry's to fleets last year so of course the Camry has been on the market for awhile now so of course fleet sales would be increased from last years period.

    I do agree though I wouldn;t be surprised for the Camrys sales to lose traction pretty soon due to the fact the 07 Camry was a brand new car last year and the new car novelty will wear off eventually especially with a new Accord and new Mazda 6 coming out pretty soon.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I have to agree with you GM is definitely turning around. The only problem is that it takes a long time to turn something that big around. But they should do it.

    I think Ford is wiseing up now too.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    Not sure who you are, where you can speak as Hyundai's ambassador or something, but I'll bet you Hyundai wants you to buy the Sonata, not just use it as a lure into the showroom. That's silly.

    The increase in sales? From weak (4500 cars)to disappointing (11,000 cars)? And that's satisfying?

    You're obviously not in a sales position now. With those kind of results you'd be long gone - bumped for the next guy that doesn't have excuses, just results.

    The car business isn't about building traction.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    The car business isn't about building traction.

    Depends on what you mean by "traction". If it means to build nice cars with outstanding price, quality, warranty, and a top-notch ad campaign, then I disagree. That's the way to get your product noticed. Even Toyota's massive feeding frenzy started with a nibble.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    They are on track to sell upwards of 470k. The new Altima has not hurt sales. A new Accord can.

    I expect sales to come back down to a more normal 425-435k for the rest of the generation, starting next year.

    The '09 Corolla may also have an effect.

    DrFill
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    chasefranklin, "Crossover SUV Comparison" #1992, 23 Jun 2007 11:22 pm

    The response (1995) is telling. No telling if the feeling will be the same in 1 year or 3 or 5 years....
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    I disagree 100% with your position about 12K/month being disappointing. Maybe where you are coming from, I guess if you were looking for the Sonata to be on the same level sales wise as the Accord/Camry.

    I have no ties with any automaker. I work for a PR firm with a good number of our clients in the auto industry. If you've followed the auto industry long enough, you would not necessarily have to be in certain (sales) position to know sales are not the sole indication of success. Yes sales are important, but a lot goes into the success of a product, of a company. Having raw sales figures, even at gains, do not tell the whole story - there are more areas than one to consider here. But, what do I know, I've only been in marketing positions pretty much all of my life...

    The car business isn't about building traction? Right, success to you are granted overnight, right?
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    Steve, that's keen observation on your part. I'm with you, as I've been seeing (and hearing) more and more first-hand accounts of such occurrence. Like I said, most products are really good now, from most automakers, and the gap is certainly narrowed.

    Sidenote: the Veracruz is one sweet CUV. Never have been a CUV/SUV fan but the likes of the GM Lambda triplets and Veracruz has got me looking around...
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    A friend of mine who works for Polk told me it has edged up. I will see if I can get some data for you. I know they are not generally released on a monthly basis so I will see what he has and can give me...
  • eagle007eagle007 Member Posts: 3
    Toyota fearing Hyundai? No way dude. Toyota sales dominate the market. Their eyes are on Nissan and Honda. Not suckdai or kiacrap.

    Toyota, Nissan, and Honda continue to build high-quality cars. US car makers just don't get it. They think they can keep selling the same pos for years and suckers will go for it. Wonder why Mercedes is dropping Chrysler? Mercedes has made the move to go far away from Chrysler? Why, Mercedes sells good stuff and Chrysler sells crap.

    I read a post in this topic about how GM has turned things around? Really? Like turned things around 360 degrees? GM is losing market share to Toyota. The only good thing GM has going for it is the company is diversified in other holdings such as broadcasting, lending & other financial services, etc.

    GM hasn't turned things around. The Camry is killing them. Go look at GM's financials in their auto division for the past 10 years.

    Now that Toyota is allowed by the US govt to produce trucks with the same engine size as the US makers, then Toyota will serious headway into the truck market.

    Yes, you heard me right. Back in the 80's and 90's Toyota was prohibited of selling trucks in the US that exceeded certain horsepower and cargo capacity. Back then Chevy and Ford kept making fun of Toyota in their commercials. But at that time Toyota had no choice in the matter.

    Now they do. Now we'll see if Chevy, Ford, and Dodge will actually step up to the plate and build some decent quality into their vehicles. My take is they won't cuz they never have.

    Which vehicle would you rather take all the way around the world?

    2005 Dodge Caravan with 30,000 miles
    2002 Ford Wrangler with 50,000 miles
    2007 Hyundai with 1,000 miles
    1990 Toyota 4Runner with 150,000 miles

    I'll take the Toyota.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    "You have conveniently glossed over the fact that Toyota dumped the Cressida in favor of the ES250 that was not even close to the Cressida"

    Ummm, they sold the Cressida in the U.S. well into the 90s, and as you know the ES250 was one of the first two models Lexus launched with in 1990.

    Don't let the Doc get your dander up, he's just cheerleading in the hopes of making more sales! ;-)

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • poncho167poncho167 Member Posts: 1,178
    "GM hasn't turned things around. The Camry is killing them. Go look at GM's financials in their auto division for the past 10 years."

    Sorry, I don't know where you have been, but GM has turned things around with their very nice line up and way of doing business. They have several class leading models and the build quality actually has been there for several years if not since at least the mid-1990's. Have you ever heard of North American truck and car of the year honors? This was in 2007! They have been voted North America's most efficient assembly plant more times in the last 7 years than I can recall for any auto company. So many awards and now they are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Toyota fearing Hyundai? No way dude.

    You haven't read all the posts have you? Toyotas head honcho has public ally stated that position.

    Toyota, Nissan, and Honda continue to build high-quality cars.

    So does just about every other car manufacturer around. The difference between the highest quality and the lowest is practically null.

    GM is losing market share to Toyota.

    Remember market share is not a determination of who is best.

    Which vehicle would you rather take all the way around the world?

    Personally I wouldn't try that in any vehicle with 150k miles. I would take the 2007 Hyundai, they are much better built than a 1990 Toyota.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • poncho167poncho167 Member Posts: 1,178
    "Now that Toyota is allowed by the US govt to produce trucks with the same engine size as the US makers, then Toyota will serious headway into the truck market."

    What are you talking about. The U.S. government preventing Toyota from producing an engine? That's crazy. Toyota is lucky and privaledged to be able to produce auto's in the U.S. The reverse is more of the truth. If there was a market for U.S. cars in Japan, the U.S. auto manufactures could not build over there because there are tremendous obstacles for American companies in Japan. Japan doesn't take to kindly to foreign investment especially American companies. Remember we bombed them several times.

    "Yes, you heard me right. Back in the 80's and 90's Toyota was prohibited of selling trucks in the US that exceeded certain horsepower and cargo capacity. Back then Chevy and Ford kept making fun of Toyota in their commercials. But at that time Toyota had no choice in the matter."

    The only thing that was going on at that time were import tariffs that made it cost prohibited for certain vehicles. That is why they started building here.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Hello Eagle. Sounds like we've met a devout Toyota enthusiast that just woke up from a 5 year nap. :)

    Seriously Eagle, in today's competitive market, there isn't much separating the best from the worst. The new Sonata, Veracruz, Azera, and Santa Fe are not the worst. Nobody's bashing Toyota here. Some of their current models may indeed be the best buy, but not by a large margin. It's not wise to think any make is the best there ever was and the best there ever will be. In today's competitive situation, the lead can change so fast, buyers that aren't paying attention can get left behind.

    Which vehicle would you rather take all the way around the world?

    2005 Dodge Caravan with 30,000 miles
    2002 Ford Wrangler with 50,000 miles
    2007 Hyundai with 1,000 miles
    1990 Toyota 4Runner with 150,000 miles


    Which Hyundai model? Since you didn't specify, here's 1 that can haul a fleet of Toyota's around the world:

    click for pic :P
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Hyundai came to the US around 1986. I believe they already had a presence in Canada. Toyota came to the US in 1957, left in 1959, and came back in 1961.
  • chetjchetj Member Posts: 324
    i think youre turning japanese..i really think so
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Here is the true story from Fleet Central

    MY 2007 Auto Fleet Sales
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    You know what jumped out at me?

    Dodge Avenger at close to 80%. That's a brand-new model.
  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    Great post.

    Why is the Sonata listed as a compact car? Also - 28% of its sales are to fleet? Ew.

    And the Azera 23% fleet? Another Ew.

    Fleet sales damage resale value.

    I keep cars about 4 years max. Resale value is big to me. This pay less up front reasoning doesn't wash with me. I think you still get hammered in the end even if you did pay less up front.

    I've got my eye on the upcoming Genesis and am wary of taking a big hit 3-4 years down the road. Lease? Maybe.
  • musadomusado Member Posts: 3
    Toyota fearing Hyundai is an overstatement, I think.
    But it is true that Toyota is aware of Hyundai's recent success in addressing quality issues and increase of sale.
    So much so that Toyota's CEO publicly praised Hyundai for its great quality, which Hyundai established in such a short period of time. I used to own 1986 Hyundai Excel. It was a junk. But ever since mid-1990s, I have not seen or heard anyone I know who owned Hyundai complain about reliability issue. Hyundai stilled looked and drove cheap. But at least it did not require repair. Now Hyundai came out with line up that look premium and drive premium with industry's near top quality and best warranty. Toyota is aware, I think, very much so. Especially, when Hyundai's target is mostly Toyota.
    It is the situation that benefits us, customers.
    Toyota will make better vehicle to increase the quality gap between them and Hyundai. (I said Hyundai, because this forum is about Hyundai)
    Hyundai will try to match Toyota in terms of quality, design and refinement and undercut Toyota in price.
    Very good news to us. :shades:
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Hey, a Vapors fan. We were singing that in the polka car coming back from a ski train trip one time. What a hangover. :shades:
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.