Is There Room in the Luxury Market for Hyundai?

13536384041142

Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thanks to joe also, for repeating the link.

    I see a major red flag, though.

    40% of those buying Genesis have traded in vehicles LIKE Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche.

    My emphasis.

    That is an important detail. What that means is trades from all luxury brands, most likely.

    Still meaningful and important news, but it's not the same as saying 40% of buyers came from those 4 brands.

    40% had owned a car from a luxury make, and that would probably include Infiniti, Acura, and Audi as well. Maybe even Cadillac and Lincoln.

    That's a much bigger group than just the 4 he mentioned.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    Have you been reading what I said? Did I say it was all Cayenne owners? It was probably the base model owners, and that's where I made the connection in my estimation.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    The reason he only mentioned those were probably because they are tier 1 luxury makers; by the time you name them all, you'd probably need a second cup of water.

    I don't see it as a major red flag, however. I think the point to take away from this article is the fact Hyundai is getting owners from other brands, and both the 90% and 40% figures are pretty significant in any way looking at it.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Agreed, but leaving out the word "like" sure made it sound a lot better.

    As did throwing in the Porsche name.

    It's an impressive feat - 40% came from luxury makes. No need to spin.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    2009 Chicago Auto Show: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe (Straightline)

    Well, if a Porsche SUV does, I suppose so.

    image
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    that "swoopy" H on the Coupe's grille ruins the whole car!

    Are people listening to their selves when they make statements like that? Or is it just too irresistible to make dumb statements when you're jealous inside?

    That is a nice red-orange on that thing, BTW. :D

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    Who is jealous? My old tech E55 would still beat that one on the track no doubt, and it doesn't have the weird dip after the B-pillar.

    I wonder if the H will be a regular production item.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    but it's not the same as saying 40% of buyers came from those 4 brands.
    It sure is important sometimes to sift thru the BS otherwise known as press releases etc.. A statement that could be easily construed to mean that 40% of Hyundai buyers came from the 'luxo' big 4, bought Genesis' - and that is not what that says. As you note 'like' could very easily include makes like Cadillac, Lincoln etc. and not quite the same as saying specifically that 40% of those sales were trade-ins (or whatever) of BMWs/MBs/Lexus' etc. I bet if you would survey those sales at a BMW dealer, a whole lot more than a lousy 40% of those sales come from previous owners of those same four marques. Simply because luxury buyers WANT to shop at luxury dealers, and Hyundai is still quite a bit shy in that department.
    The day that the Hyundai dealer lot becomes a good place to find a deal on a used BMW (or MB, Lexus etc) is about the same day that Hyundai has found a real place in the 'luxury' market
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Not a fair comparison - what did that E55 cost new in today's dollars? 6 figures?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    It's fair when criticism is dismissed by labeling one "jealous" ;)
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The day that the Hyundai dealer lot becomes a good place to find a deal on a used BMW (or MB, Lexus etc) is about the same day that Hyundai has found a real place in the 'luxury' market

    Or, that's the day the Hyundai dealer's used car buyer has found some good cars at the auctions.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    Not sure how you would conclude 40% as a lousy number, since the majority of a model's sales comes from repeat buyers. 40% is actually really good. Oh, by the way, Hyundai registered 90% of buyers from outside of the brand.

    Instead of focusing on the figures, from a big picture persepective, Hyundai is getting new buyers, that's a good thing; Hyundai is getting luxury owners, that's also a good thing. Feel free to continue term the Genesis as a non-luxury car, especially since this may be the first non-luxury car (your term) to acheive such a high % of conquest sales from luxury brands ;)
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    Joe - a question of perspective, for sure. I said that 40% would be a 'lousy' number at a BMW dealer, not a Hyundai dealer. Meaning, of course, that folks that are shopping that particular brand of vehicles are much more likely to have been previous BMW/MB/Lexus owners etc. 40% might be darn good for Hyundai, even if they were mostly Caddy and Lincoln owners previously, the point is that it is a really bad number if we are comparing it to what the buyer we would find at a BMW/Lexus/MB lot who likely buys nothing if it isn't another BMW, a MB, or a Lexus. So I'll turn your question around then, if 90% (my guess) of those that are out buying a Lexus are former Lexus/BMW/MB owners, how is it then that Hyundai's 40% is 'actually really good'.
    Some rose-colored glasses with a 'H' logo on them, perhaps?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Meaning, of course, that folks that are shopping that particular brand of vehicles are much more likely to have been previous BMW/MB/Lexus owners etc.

    There have been requests--actually more like demands--for evidence backing up numbers like this when they apply to Hyundai. So I think it's fair to ask for evidence for your numbers. And of course, as we have already been told, a quote by an executive from BMW, MB etc. regarding their conquest numbers is not sufficient evidence for this discussion. ;)

    So I'll turn your question around then, if 90% (my guess) of those that are out buying a Lexus are former Lexus/BMW/MB owners, how is it then that Hyundai's 40% is 'actually really good'.

    The main difference here is that the 90% figure is your guess. The 40% figure was based on actual sales data, as explained to the press from someone in a position to know.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    the day the Hyundai dealer's used car buyer has found some good cars at the auctions
    by this you mean auctionable BMWs/MBs/Lexii? Not likely. Largely because of the fact that these true luxo cars are so initially expensive, they do tend to be leased as this is the only way they can be affordable. A used BMW/MB more likely low mileage 'program' cars in excellent condition ((as lease cars tend to be) , auction cars tend to be high mileage cheapos, therefore more likely a Korean brand than a German one.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    you really think that folks that are out touring the German cars dealers are former Chevy owners? Yes, my contention is certainly that most (much more than 40%) of the folks that buy those true luxury brands have owned probably even several of them previously. This is only logical - if it doesn't make sense to you, so be it.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Been shopping for a used Bimmer lately (as I was last fall)? All sorts of vehicles off auctions, at all kinds of dealerships--Chevy, Mercury, Hyundai (gasp), and... oh yes, BMW. Then when I went to trade my BMW (a one-owner, low-miles coupe purchased from a BMW dealer) a few months later, the common refrain was, "All we can give you is $XXXX because we can pick up cars like this all day at auctions."
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Yes, I think many buyers of their first BMW, MB, Infiniti, Lexus etc. are coming from non-luxury brands such as GM, Ford/Mercury, Toyota, Nissan, VW etc.

    If you have the data to prove otherwise, I would love to see it.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    So I'll turn your question around then, if 90% (my guess) of those that are out buying a Lexus are former Lexus/BMW/MB owners, how is it then that Hyundai's 40% is 'actually really good'.

    It seems you are still confused by what the 40% represents. The 40% from the Genesis is a subset of the total 90% conquest Hyundai exec. mentioned in the interview.

    You can't add both the % of repeated buyers and conquest sales together if you are trying to make a valid comparison.

    Hyundai's 40% or 90% doesn't include sales from its current owners, the criteria you used does.
  • cobrazeracobrazera Member Posts: 352
    Unless your E55 is an AMG - dream on.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good point made above about many of the previously owned cars coming off leases.

    I think if people do trade in cars you'd see a lot of Avalons, 300s, Taurus/Five Hundreds, and other large sedans in the Hyundai used car lot.

    90% is a high number of conquest sales, because you'd expect a lot of them would be upgrading from an Azera or Sonata.

    Actually, the fact that only 10% came from within Hyundai could be seen as a bad thing - they may have a problem with customer retention.

    Of course loyalty ain't what it used to be. You don't see a lot of dyed-in-the-wool fans of the brand like fintail very often any more. ;)
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Actually, the fact that only 10% came from within Hyundai could be seen as a bad thing - they may have a problem with customer retention.

    Agreed. If there is any way to put a negative spin on any aspect of Hyundai's success to date with the Genesis, I am sure someone will do that. :)

    10% coming from Hyundai could mean many other things, e.g. many Hyundai owners have cars like Accents, Elantras, and Sonatas, and might not be ready for a jump to a luxury sedan. Another reason for it could be that most Hyundai owners ARE satisfied with their cars, many of them are still probably under warranty, so these owners aren't in the market for a new car now.

    Since one of Hyundai's main objectives (and perhaps THE main objective) with the Genesis was to uplift the brand and draw more buyers (and NEW buyers heretofore untapped) to Hyundai, I would say that the 90% conquest figure is very positive.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    If JD Power is anything to go by, Hyundai's retention rate has been around 50% the last few years, slightly higher than industry norm.

    It seems the trend in recent times, as buyers are moving down largely due to the sign of times, and not up.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I should have added the Veracruz also.

    Perhaps it's too new, though, to have customers ready to trade for a newer Hyundai. It's only been out for a couple of years, right?

    I wasn't trying to spin, just saying I'm surprised only 10% came from prior Hyundais.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    I think a better indication would be down the road, to see if the current Genesis owners trade in for another one.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, let's see if they remain loyal.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I think a problem with the Veracruz is that it isn't different enough from the Santa Fe, a made-in-the-USA mid-sized SUV with seating for 7 and good power on the 3.3L V6, and with an established name. The other problem, of course, is that sales of anything big aren't great right now.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, and that segment is very crowded, too.

    I really like the interior. The leather is ultra-soft and the cabin definitely has an upscale feel that you don't get in the Santa Fe.

    SF prices are so low, though, and most people aren't willing to spend the extra dough for a still-a-V6 Veracruz.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    Uhhh what other kind is there?

    Sorry, being glib backfired again.
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    As part of our ongoing efforts to improve Edmunds.com, we are asking members such as yourself to help us better organize the navigation of the site to ensure the information and resources you need are always easy to find.

    If you have a few minutes, we would greatly appreciate your participation in a quick (and fun) exercise on how best to organize our site information.

    http://edmunds.optimalsort.com/ersm/
  • cobrazeracobrazera Member Posts: 352
    Uhhh what other kind is there? The latest E55, introduced in 2006 as the E550, was quicker than the previous E55 AMG. The car is now called E55, but is basically unchanged from 2006. It is slightly quicker than the Genesis Coupe will be, but on a track, the Genesis Coupe will destroy it.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    It's OT, but really, study cars more in-depth before making such statements.

    E550 was not a replacement for the E55. E55 was the AMG tuned W210/211, E550 is simply the largest engined standard W211, replacing the E500. The engines are related only via manufacturer. E55 was 24 valve, dual spark - E550 is 32 valve single spark. Suspension and gearing in both cars are very different. The "latest" E55 is the E63, no car bearing the "E55" badge has been made for nearly 3 years. The E550 is tied with the older tech E55 in acceleration to maybe 100 where the old car will doubtless gain ground, while the kompressor knocks a clean second off a 0-60 time and will do the equivalent to other numbers.

    Tell me when you've bought or tracked that Genesis ;)
  • cobrazeracobrazera Member Posts: 352
    My apologies on getting some of the facts wrong - you obviously know your MBs. My info as far as accel is the Nov '06 issue of C/D wherein they state E550 " sprints " are better than 1st gen E55AMG ( and I concede will also be slightly quicker than Gen Coupe ).
    Racetracks are comprised of more than straightaways, however, and braking, cornering, and transitions are all aided by less weight - so I'm still not convinced your heavier E55 AMG sedan could better the Genesis Coupe on a track. Just my opinion, of course. Seems as if everyone here has one of those, and that's attested by the nearly two thousand opinions in this blog on the luxury market and Hyundai, which has still arrived at no concensus.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Just my opinion, of course. Seems as if everyone here has one of those, and that's attested by the nearly two thousand opinions in this blog on the luxury market and Hyundai, which has still arrived at no concensus.

    In order to arrive at a concensus, we would have to either (a) Precisely define "luxury car", or (b) Collect and tally opinions from Genesis owners that have owned cars that are widely accepted as luxury cars. "A" just isn't happening.

    Even if Genesis sales numbers are excellent, and most of their owners believe they bought a luxury car, there will be people who reject them as a luxury car. It's not like defining beauty, which is 80% subjective and 20% objective. Cars have measurables that can be objectively compared quite easily. Again, I suggest reading the 84 Genesis reviews to the right of this page. They are eye openers.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    You know how it is...you might win on a curve now and then, but you'll be dusted on a straight ;) ...the old E55 was named one of the most fun cars under 25K, so it shouldn't be a limp performer

    Speaking of Hyundai and luxury...has the Genesis been sold to any fleets? I suspect the Azera gets that treatment, which impacts resale and makes them a used bargain. But it would be an unquestionably bad idea to do the same to the Genesis, IMO.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Agree about the difficulty in defining luxury, and I'll add that a lot of cars from luxury makes are not luxury cars:

    * Acura RSX, TSX
    * BMW 1 series
    * M-B A and B class, even low-end Cs
    * Audi A3

    etc.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    Speaking of Hyundai and luxury...has the Genesis been sold to any fleets?
    you know that's funny that you mention it - I live in the 4th largest city in the country and spend a lot of time driving and in traffic - and have yet to see any flavor of Genesis on the road. If the Genesis is selling I haven't figured out where. But on a recent trip, to SoCal saw my first V8 Genesis, a taxi cab working out of Bob Hope Airport in Burbank. Looked really really superior when compared to all those CVs and TCs.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    I've been thinking along those lines. I live in a decent sized area and higher line import cars are embraced here...and I have seen 3 Genesis total. They don't seem to be selling here anyway.

    A taxi? That's a pricey cab...I wonder if it was a wrecked and rebuilt car or something. Who'd buy a top of the line car and make it a taxi? There's a market Hyundai could try to compete in, the large and utilitarian/heavy duty segment. Probably not the highest profit margins, and the cars will not be viable outside of NA...so I don't imagine they'd do it.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    I've been thinking along those lines. I live in a decent sized area and higher line import cars are embraced here...and I have seen 3 Genesis total. They don't seem to be selling here anyway.

    The MB's aren't selling here.

    In some parts of the world where they can be bought dirt cheap, the clunky, Iron Curtain-style MB's are used as taxi's. ;)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    I bet MBs are selling at a higher level there than Genesis, even with the dead economy and sickly leasing environment :P

    MBs used as taxis were made with spec levels mostly never seen here - smallest engines, basic interiors, no creature comforts. Remember, it was not always a "luxury" brand, that's essentially a creation of American marketers.
  • captain2captain2 Member Posts: 3,971
    Who'd buy a top of the line car and make it a taxi?
    The black Genesis 4.6 sitting in a line that also included black Town Cars and the traditional 'yellow cab' Crown Vics. Cost wise - don't imagine a whole lot of price difference OTD between the Genesis and the Town Car. Cabs do seem to be getting a bit more upscale and do remember that MBs seemed to be the cab of choice in Hong Kong.
    Noticing how 'well' that Ford has screwed up the' Lincoln' badge, however, is there anybody out there under the age of 40 or so that thinks of Lincoln as a 'luxury' car? Cadillac, still yes, because it does offer some significant models that you can't get from anybody else at GM (CTS, STS), Lincoln OTH a champean rebadger and proof IMO that the term 'luxury car' is about more than simply an options list and/or some nice leather.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Remember, it was not always a "luxury" brand, that's essentially a creation of American marketers.

    Thank you! In fact, it's ALL created by marketing, and fanciful owners that think luxury isn't measurable.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    I suspect those TCs go to fleets at massive discounts and probably cheaper than a V8 Genesis. I can't imagine private buyers have really even bought more than a few of them in the past 5 years or so. I'd take a Genesis over one any and every day of the week. I think a highline genesis would be too nice to destroy in taxi duty.

    The Lincoln note is interesting. Now that the brand equity has been so injured and the new models aren't getting the hype of Caddy, maybe the Genesis will take from that demographic too. It's a pretty conservative car, which was a key for the old Lincoln buyer.

    Those MB cabs you see everywhere in Europe and even in Asia are pleather or cloth interiored cars with no gadgetry and lowline engines. They are bought on the old MB ideal of durability, no luxury to be found. Locals see them as ordinary cars.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...a Lincoln Town Car, but it's a special order. Heck, I wouldn't mind one as a replacement for my old 1988 Buick Park Ave. Technologically, they're pretty much at the same level. Sad to think that the Town Car was once the 1990 Motor Trend COTY. Ford just allowed it to become so outdated it became a laughable anachronism.

    Don't know what to make of the MKS. It looks like Lincoln made the same mistake as Acura did with the RL with no available V-8. The MKS just doesn't have the stately presence of a Town Car despite the Town Car being a big ol' dinosaur.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Are you sure that Genesis was not in the Limo line? ;)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    My source tells me all Genesis units sold so far have pretty much gone retail.

    With my own eyes, I've seen a good number of Genesis driving around town here, all privately owned.

    I would think the chances of spotting a car increase with the higher % of vehicles sold to fleet.

    PS: Genesis takes home another Car of the Year award; this time the Canadian Car of the Year.

    PS2: This week the Genesis coupe actually took the spotlight from the sedan - having released an attractive pricing range at the Chicago Auto Show, including the very affordable and tunable turbo4 R-Spec. At least one automaker is listening to the enthusiasts.
  • sandy25sandy25 Member Posts: 65
    It shouldn't be surprising that you see so few (if any) Genesis' on the road. I read somewhere, there are about 125,000,000 cars on the road in the US. Among those are some 5000 Genesis. .
  • sandy25sandy25 Member Posts: 65
    If you asked people from different socio-economic groups/ages/occupations etc,to compile a list of what they considered to be "luxury" cars, I think you would be surprised at the answers. Everyone doesn't think like Edmunds posters.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    I've driven behind an Enzo in evening commute traffic for a few miles and seen several Audi R8s on the road since I last saw a Genesis :shades:
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    I've driven behind an Enzo in evening commute traffic for a few miles and seen several Audi R8s on the road since I last saw a Genesis :shades:

    How many R-8's and Enzo's were sold in 2008-09?

    Take the shades off and you'll see a lot more Genesisisisiszz. :P
Sign In or Register to comment.

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.