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Comments
My "cheap shots" are directed toward:
1. Hyundai marketing...total failure in positioning a great automotive value in the US.
2. Hyundai dealers...(those that I have personal experience with). The lack of product knowledge in the sales and service departments is deplorable.
My dealer's knowledge of the Azera was/is pathetic. The sales staff knew nothing about the car other than what they had read in the brochure. This might be understandable if I had bought my car the day it first hit the market but I bought my Azera in May 2006 - plenty of time for the sales staff to get up to speed on Hyundai's flagship vehicle.
Service has been even worse. My contempt for the profession of service manager is well-known in this forum. More than anything else this is why the dealer charges such high prices for its work - to pay the outrageous salaries of these middlemen who add no value to the service process. And don't even get me started about the Service Manager. At my Hyundai dealer these people are completely clueless. During my most recent service the car had been out for well over a year and these people still didn't know basic details about the car.
That would be the case with a lot of Hyundai models, unfortunately, espeically the new ones, like the Azera. Models such as the Sonata, Elantra, Santa Fe, has more backing on them, since those name equities are better recongized, relatively speaking.
FWIW, Azera marketing has been there with various media outlets. Could, and should there be more (or less)? I don't know, I guess only Hyundai can answer that, since little is known (at least to the pubilc) what the impact the marketing has made.
"Hyundai is currently running a series of "DUH" ad campaigns, including:
Two Santa Fe stand-alone
One Sonata stand-alone
Tuscon, Santa Fe, Veracruz with Tucson details/offers at end
Elantra, Sonata, Azera with Azera details/offers at end"
Come to think, actually, with some exceptions, large sedans generally do not get much allocation of ad budget. When was the last time Toyota campaigned the Avalon, especially over the airwaves on network TV? Probably only when it first came out to get the word out; there have been plenty of Camry ads in between, for comparison. Hyundai has been putting a lot into the Sonata and Santa Fe, and understandably so, but it has consistently promoted the Azera (relatively speaking) throughout its existence here in the US.
If navigation is available, what type will it be and what features will be available?
Will the Azzy be Bluetooth enabled?
Will the audio system have Ipod input with visable display?
Will "smart key" be included?
Will lazar guided cruise control be offered?
HID headlights?
Back-up sensors?
Tilt in reverse side view mirrors?
Anything else other than sat. radio that is already included on the new 07's?
From what I read, the only change is the addition of the LG navigation system, which apparently does not even include Ipod input and Bluetooth.
As they mention"improved suspension system", hopefully they have determined a cure for the many complaints that current owners now have. I wonder if this "system" will be available for 06 and 07 models.
By not adding many features that are appearing on most new models, even Hyundai products, they are, in my opinion eliminating MANY potential buyers of higher end cars.
As for IPOD and Bluetooth, I think we may have to wait to see exactly what the new NAV option brings to the table AND what it costs.
Dont know about others, but I am finally beginning to see Azera's besides mine on the street. I like the Blue version better than I thought I would seeing it driving.
I believe that I have read posts from 07 Azera owners who have expressed problems with the suspension.
The LG nav system, according to the press release, does not incorporate Ipod input nor Bluetooth.
Still no smart key, tilt in reverse mirrors, back up sensors, lazar cruise control etc.
My only wish would have been for mine to have the XM. I also don't want to see the price increase all that much on the Azera.
XM radio is an easy and relatively inexpensive aftermarket installation.
If you'd asked me for two upgrades, I'd have said more XM availability and a firmer suspension. They've done that and more. Now I'd like to see variable displacement next -- the 3.3 offers almost no fuel savings at all in exchange for the performance sacrifice.
Almost every automobile manufacturer is offering satellite radio today, even in their entry level models.XM is willing to provide them with the equipment at no, or low cost to sell the subscription service.
With regard to the navigation system, I believe that most, if not all, in dash nav systems offer touch screen and voice commands.
I guess that we have different feelings about what "near luxury" refers to.
In '07 the GLS was the stripper model, the SE was the mid-tier model.
It appears that Hyundai plans to put most of its apples in the Genesis, or whatever other name, cart.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Azera and have no regrets. But the new toys don't impress me - I want better handling and better gas mileage.
I wonder why the Hyubdai press release pertaining to the 08 Azera does not share this information.
I can only recall it mentioning navigation as an added feature to the current 07 features.
Yes, but not with a flotilla of airbags, every imaginable power convenience and a time of 6.5 seconds to 60. Heavy, economical and fast: pick any two.
What has nothing to do with the 08 Azera?
AZERA GLS
Do the 06 and 07 Azera's not have stabilizer bars?
Don
I do too.
Therefore the change in the 08 suspension probably amounts to new shocks, which ,if they are truly better, will benefit 06 and 07 Azera owners should they desire to change them.
Time to speak with Service Manager again.
The Azera press release that I referring to is the link that you posted on Aug. 22, 2007 Post number 63.
This release refers specifically to the 08 Azera
Similar to the arab system and the mozen MTS250 system. Must have been based on it. Uses a touch screen, audio prompts, visual prompts, 8 GB Compact Flash Card for map data, and all the usual nav features except bluetooth. Will come in multiple colors to match the interior. Same system but will be used in the azera. No CD changer with it.
I can't understand why they haven't included Bluetooth, as more and more US states now require "hand's free" use of mobile phones in moving vehicles.
The technology to add feature this is so simple and inexpensive and provides audio muting while phone is in use, and better sound quality of phone conversations.
Okay, the convo started with rv65 posting:
It's going to have some cool toys. MMI like Navi, XM NavTraffic, Bluetooth, HDRadio, Laser cruise control, Electric Handbrake and so on.
Referring to the BH
To which you replied:
RE: 78
I wonder why the Hyubdai press release pertaining to the 08 Azera does not share this information.
I can only recall it mentioning navigation as an added feature to the current 07 features.
And I chimed in with the info is related to the BH and has nothing to do with the Azera, in any model years.
I have made no comments about the BH, my only comments and concerns relate to the 08 Azera. I was not responding at all about comments pertaining to the BH
.
The link that you supplied refers to the 08 Arera only.
No mention is made about the BH
Exactly, you asked why these stuff (quoted below) are not shared in the 08 Azera press kit:
It's going to have some cool toys. MMI like Navi, XM NavTraffic, Bluetooth, HDRadio, Laser cruise control, Electric Handbrake and so on.
I think we are on the same page. Let's move on.
The navi used in that veracruz pic will come in different colors to match the dash for the azera. I like the fact that the map data is stored on an 8 GB CF card. That will make it easier to update. Just swap out the card or get the updates online. Maybe the cd player is dvd enabled for the map updates. Either way its still good.
2008 Azera pics
2008 Azera pics
tenpin288 -
I'm not sure all, or any, of those pics are of a 2008 model. The pics of the steering wheel clearly show the 2006 audio controls.
Although you are correct about the steering wheel audio control, note that the computer display is mounted in the center of the instrument display, unlike the 06 Azera
Bob -
Yep, I saw that. I guess it must be one of those Azera "hybrids."
I have a question for anyone out there. In post #98, there is a link to the pictures Bob & I are talking about. In the middle column of pictures, the 4th picture down from the top shows a skeleton of the Azera body. Below where the gas cap will be and to the right, there is a cut-out in the panel. It looks like it's an access panel. Does anyone know what goes in there or what the access is for?
Don