Hyundai a future threat to Acura?

i don't think so.

— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 2:04:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

i do

— indifferent (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 2:04:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

^^Good Arguments^^

— justbrown (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 2:37:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

depends how good the genesis is

— jt716 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 2:38:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Hyundai may have hit a home run with the Genesis. 90% of a RL, E Type, S Type, etc at 60% (or less) of the cost...that is a winning formula.
A lot of people could care less about the brand especially if the car performs well at a very reasonable price.

— BMW995 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 2:55:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I really think Acura is in a slump. The TL is OK, but the styling is too forced. The RL is OK too, but lacks something to make it special (It's also a little too small). TSX is just boring.

Acura's SUVs are their only good thing at the moment. And it seems like the NSX is always on the backburner with Acura only mentioning it occasionaly when interest is all but gone.

Hyundai has their work cut out for them, but Acura's seeming dis-interest in themselves would make Hyundai's job easier.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 3:05:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Acura has no reason to feel threatened. Sure, Hyundai is building good products, but Acura builds exceptional products.

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 3:23:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Guaranteed if an Agent had posted this story, "Lexus" would have appeared in the headline where "Acura" currently is. (Hey, I'm not complaining ;))

I don't even think Acura has anything to be worried about. Hyundai building a more expensive car and saying it competes with Lexus and Mercedes doesn't just make it so. Why would anyone just take their word for it? From everything I've seen and heard about this car, it's main competitors will be the Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon.

— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 3:52:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Bentley, move it on over!

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 4:11:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I don't think Acura has to feel threatened by the Genesis, although this car will probably sell very well, especially in light of the pricing. The fact is, sales of the Genesis will come out of many cars's hides...US, German, Swedish, and Japanese. For goodness sakes, less than $30K base for the V6 is going to hurt a lot of manufacturers....Hell, I may be interested!

— BMW995 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 4:11:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

This piece of crap is not going to compete with lexus or Acura just cuz Hyundai says it does. Don't forget, Hyundai is BELOW Saturn and Ford and WAY below Toyota and Honda. This thing will just go against the likes of the Chrysler 300C and Pontiac G8. RWD plus V8 plus Large car doesn't automatically equate LUXURY. That's like Mazda making a V8 RWD large sedan and saying it rivals the 7Series. Bull. Acura has nothing to worry about. It's customers won't stoop that low just to get a V8 and RWD. And the suspension will probably be mush with no performance at all. blehh. All talk to no refined product.

— aznstuart (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 4:42:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Honda goes its own way. They can, but don't/won't make a V8. The NSX/S2000 are RWD.

They even move styling the opposite way, from Civic to Accord, RDX to MDX.

The only thing Hyundai won't get credit for is the styling, as its anything but original.

The $13,500 Accent probably won't do any wonders for Hyundai's image either if it plans to compete directly with Acura. Acura's cheapest car now is $30,000.

Then again, since Hyundai is the self-proclaimed most European Asian automaker, making cheap cars is just part of the role I guess.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 4:58:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

In my mind I don't think Acura is trying to do what Lexus has been trying ever since their release. That is to take on the world's luxury brands. Lexus has found the best marketers to boost their image and it's worked wonders. Acura I believe can do the same with proper marketing and they can compete.

One thing that needs to be changed is to revampe their entire lineup. New Models need to be made and some models perhaps need to be discontinued. They can't upmarket that fast so they have to do it gradually with a steady progression.

Honda makes good cars and Honda helps Acura make even better cars. I just wished they had RWD car and a V8 in their lineup to compete with the Infiniti's and Lexus. At least be a force representing the Japanese Market and hopefully the USDM will as well.

I think Acura is way under rated. They never had the the image of being expensive high end luxury saloons, only entry level. They are capable of reaching the higher market.

I don't see them taking out Lexus in sales but I do see them taking out Infiniti.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 5:10:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

HELL NO!

— TL4KEL (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2007 3:50:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I thought this Hyundai was trying to take on Maybach.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 6:28:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Hyundai really needs to set its sights on the Bugatti Veyron. That's much more in its league.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 6:28:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Maybe, but not anytime in the near future. This is more likely to threaten the Avalon. Hyundai wants Lexus status, not Acura status. Will they get it? We won’t know for AT LEAST another 5-6 years. I’ll give Hyundai kudos for some serious progress , and this car looks good in pictures and paper so far; but so do many Hyundai vehicles, and they have yet to seriously threaten even Honda or Toyota. The Genesis just gets Hyundai one step closer to being a viable Toyota competitor. Acura has a solid reputation for sporty (read:race inspired), reliable, and brilliantly engineered vehicles with a loyal customer base. I really doubt Hyundai is going to match that anytime soon.

As far as Acura goes, their cars do need a refresh, some of their concepts are downright frightening, and frankly, they’re latest SUVs are a hair away from a total flop; but unlike Hyundai who needs the press, Acura is notoriously quiet about their new model releases. We know a brand new TSX is due this year followed by a new TL next year. If history repeats itself, they will both make this Hyundai effort forgettable. Regardless, keep going Hyundai. The more competition, the better.

— webguy (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 6:30:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Yes we know that Hyundai is trying to make a luxury brand to take on everyone. They will compete with Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, BMW, Audi and MB.

I really doubted if any BMW, Lexus, Audi, Infiniti, Acura or even an MB would trade their car in for a Hyundai. That would not happen because it would be a downgrade, not upgrade.

It take time to become successful, Hyundai has not been in the market long. My advise for Hyundai is to improve their "REALIBILITY" and quality of their vechicles first.

What next? Hyundai making a Lambo and Ferrari killer, yeah right.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 6:32:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

That the exact problem with Acura they need to get their act together. If not, I fear in the near future Hyundai will overshadow them if they don't make a true luxury car with a V8. Off that only if Hyundai improve their realibility and the quality of their vechicles. I hate to say it but it the true.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 7:33:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

All Acura has to do is release an NSX that isn't hideous, and that'll put them leagues ahead of Hyundai. The S2000 already distinguishes Honda from Hyundai.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 8:14:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

A 4.6 V8, for a moment I thought I was reading about the LS460. The tail lights, resembling the IS's design, but still not bad at all for Hyundai.

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 9:54:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I've heard somewhere that the V8 version of this car will be around $30,000. If that's true, that just shows you how cheaply built this car is. Think about it, a luxury car with a lot of luxury features plus the V8 for $30,000. It sounds to good to be true and you know how the saying goes: "If it's too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true." I think that rule applies to this.

— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2007 10:35:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i think the notion of acura not being taken seriously without a v8 in their lineup is overblown. though i do think it would HELP to have a v8 available.

i think the FAR bigger issue is no rwd models.

the vast majority of lexus, infiniti, bmw, mercedes, and audis in this world are not powered by v8 engines. the 6 cylinder is still the bread and butter engine for these vehicles. and acura makes a solid 6 cylinder.

why is it so hard to see that the biggest difference between acura and the rest is rwd rather than the v8?

nobody would compare this hyundai to more elite cars if it were fwd w/ v8. but it would still garner attention if it were rwd with a v6. but rwd and v8 together definitely is appealing

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 12:34:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Move over Rolls Royce, here comes Hyundai!

This is the same argument as before, with the Hyundai luxury car. Get this straight, Hyundai is a threat to no luxury car maker and they won't be. No person who can by a S, LS, or 7 will consider buying a Hyundai. And again a new brand is needed. But to say that Hyundai is a threat to Acura is a little too much. Let Hyundai beat other bargain car makers before it takes on a big nameplate like Honda. Just because they are going to have a V8 and RWD doesn't mean that this car will be liked. I don't want to say that Hyundai doesn't have a chance, but Hyundai doesn't need a luxury division right now. What they need to do is take away sales from Toyota and Honda.

— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 12:43:35 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think it's more about money more than satisfying us readers about Acura not making a competitive luxury car to counter Lexus and the world's more higher end brands. If a company is making profit with what they have then why mess with a good thing? It's always about money and less about moving higher market. Why do it if it's a big enough risk to set the # of sales down. It wouldn't be worth it.

Although I think they should make RWD sedans with V8's they make think otherwise. Financially they may not feel the need to. I think Acura's under-rated and understated and perhaps that's what their about.

Hyundai is not a threat to Acura at all. The only big deal about this whole story is the price their selling the so called luxury car for in comparison to Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti. The Acura, Infiniti, & Lexus brands are in a different tier than Hyundai. Much like how in a world wide scale (NOT JUST THE UNITED STATES) IMO MB, BMW, & Audi are in a different tier from Acura, Infiniti, & Lexus.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 6:16:04 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

This is funny.... Remember when lexus 1st appeared like 18 years ago? The exact same thing was said about it from the german fans at that time. Now Lexus fans are doing the same to the new comer... hyundai. Who knows, maybe history is repeating itself.

Acura has great SUVs, but they sedans fall short behind the competition IMO. Honda needs to build a V8 to at least help acura's case and make people think about acura seriously. I really have no idea how acura is marketed, its somewhere between luxury and mass production cars. We dont get acura here, but from what people are saying and from what I have seen, their cars are not bad..... But RWD is a must for them, because FWD gives a cheap image to the brand. We will see what will happen soon..... Can hyundai do it?

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 7:32:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Hyundai is not yet an apparent threat to either Honda or Toyota. They will be simply because they WANT to be. I remember in one of the honors classes, my moderator Dr. Pang, who is a very recognized figure in the world of IPE and who is Korean, spoke about Hyundai and South Korea in General. Dr. Pang is a very interesting man, with many interesting friends, including some who run these corporations. The Koreans don’t tell reporters certain things that they tell their friends. Hyundai and the Koreans in general desire to do one thing: supplant the Japanese as primary. This is actually a national imperative and a national right from their point of view. It should also be remembered that in these countries there is government support for national crown corporations [I don’t remember the exact terminology, but it was similar] such as Toyota and Hyundai. Neither of these truly acts independent of the government.

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 12:00:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Grave mistake. Now the secret's out of the bag: this is no BMW/Lexus competitor.

— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 1:04:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

There's lots of Camry and Accord drivers who won't consider Hyundai because it has a low-income image.

This problem gets magnified when dealing with owners of luxury cars. Some don't care that much about prestige, but most do. I think Hyundai would need to create a seperate luxury brand to effectively compete at the $30K+ price points.

— sold2early (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 1:52:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Hyundai is nothing like Acura!! thinkin of Hyundai jus waste of ma life time

— printhan (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 9:54:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Honda (more rightly so than Acura) brands itself as racing inspired and fuel efficient. No centre drive-shaft saves what, 80lbs maybe? They probably know most of their customers don't care for RWD as long as the car still performs.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 10:13:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

cdoke,
S.Korea should change their national colour to green then. Green for envy, not money.

Maybe they'd only save 30-50lbs w/o a drive shaft. That's like 1/2 a tank of gasoline.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/28/2007 10:22:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I don't think the Genesis will do too well. Hyundai is still a company that is trying to make a name for themselves and besides, it's too big of a jump to be going into luxury department for them. They still have yet a long ways to go before they can compete with BMW and Lexus in terms of quality. (Interior quality has a long ways to go for Hyundai as well)

— soopakrn (View Profile)

Posted on 3/30/2007 2:16:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Whats with these titles? First its "hyundai a threat for toyota...then lexus...etc..now acura....

— louisvuittondon (View Profile)

Posted on 3/30/2007 4:28:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

As a previous Honda owner for many years and currently an Acura owner; there is no freaking way I'd spend my hard-earned money for a Hyundai. ESPECIALLY A $30,000 ONE. They are cheap; they're interiors especially shout it out at you. Curiousity had me at the Motor Trend Auto Show and I sat in several of them and IMO - they're quite simply put: cheap! I don't care how many bells and whistles you throw in, including an Infinity stereo (which is supposed to be in the Genesis). Even if someone gave me a Hyundai; I wouldn't keep it.

Ever since they came to the U.S. my thoughts have always been the same (and yes I know that Hyundai has been around in Korea for a long time)... They remind me too much of "Wanna-be's". They're auto symbol alone shouts "I'd rather be a Honda" with it's tilted H. LOL.

— TL4KEL (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2007 4:12:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1