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Is the Hyundai Genesis The Next LS400?

Agent009 submitted on 03/23/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:07 PM
from: blogs.edmunds.com

[40] user comments | category: Spy Shots

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Is the Hyundai Genesis The Next LS400?

Remember when Lexus knocked all the traditional luxury brands on their ass in 1989 with a certain luxury sedan? The LS 400 offered a V8, rear-wheel drive and enough refinement and technology to put the Germans into systemic shock -- and that was before the car's price was announced. Lexus has been gumming up Germany's mojo ever since.

Well, here's comes Hyundai with -- you guessed it -- a V8, rear-drive luxury sedan with the 5 Series and E-Class directly in its cross-hairs. Those of you who just scoffed better read that first sentence again...

Only the above sketch has been released so far, but we'll see the vehicle, dubbed the Hyundai Genesis, in New York in two weeks.

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answer - 3/23/2007 12:24:26 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

It will be really interesting to see how the interior is done.

The current Sonata seems nice enough, but the interior is just plain boring.

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bdub245 - 3/23/2007 9:06:51 PM

-1 Boost

For Hyundai to even releasing a luxury sedan is a bold move. They continue to bring good cars with excellent prices to match. This luxury sedan is going to be a door opener for their company, and it will also be one of the most affordable, innovative cars on the market. YOU HATERS JUST WATCH AND SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MOST OF YOU WHO ARE DOWNING THEM HAVENT EVEN DRIVEN ONE OF THE NEW HYUNDAIS. YOU JUST LISTEN TO WHAT YOU HEAR, AND THAT NOT GOOD!!!

kart1 - 3/23/2007 12:43:15 PM

+5 Boost

That may be true, if Hyundai builds this RWD V8 luxury car then they have surpassed Acuras division by having a true flagship car.

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VinnyP - 3/23/2007 12:35:21 PM

-2 Boost

Camry...oh wait no...its a Hyundai...my bad.

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kart1 - 3/23/2007 12:42:11 PM

+15 Boost

Uh... one major problem here guys. If Hyundai thinks that they can sway any high end luxury car buyer with their own high end luxury car they have to do one important thing: not brand the car as a Hyundai. Whatever Toyota's image was in 1989, Toyota decided to avoid it with a new luxury brand. If Hyundai launches this car as a Hyundai then they will simply compete against the Avalon, Chryslers, and Buicks. Simple to compete with the likes of the luxury companies that have been around for ages, i.e. MB, you have to have an image that can seem at least competiive to them.

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/24/2007 1:07:52 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

I agree. That's just what I've been saying.

ATrip - 3/23/2007 12:55:05 PM

+1 Boost

Seems to me Avalon would be a smart target. Its no secret what happened to VW, seems like they are heading down the same path. I think a certain person is attracted to the avalon because if offers luxury without the pretentious name attached to it. I would think Hyundia would have better luck going after that market. Bottom line, for most there is a status factor involved with spending 50k on a car. Hyundai is simply not a status brand, and no matter how great of a car it is, it wont bring it to that level over night.

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5MTenthus - 3/23/2007 1:10:20 PM

+2 Boost

I do not think the U.S. market will be receptive to such an expensive Hyundai.

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528i - 3/23/2007 1:29:46 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Neverknow what's going to happen??

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Will_ - 3/23/2007 2:28:02 PM

+8 Boost

Rebadge it without a Hyundai logo, price it just under the LS and it might would work. The problem is neither will happen. This car's main competition will be the Buick Lucerne. Remember that car? It was supposed to undercut the LS because of its size, its V8 and its lower price. But what happened come press time? They changed their tune and started claiming its main competitor was the Lexus ES...

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/24/2007 1:09:02 AMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

"Rebadge it without a Hyundai logo, price it just under the LS and it might would work."

WELL under the LS, please! This is their first luxury car! LS is already in its fourth generation, and has established itself in the class!

If this Hyundai is over $40,000, base, I will be appalled.

SupraNeverBack - 3/23/2007 3:08:17 PM

-4 Boost

When LS400 started in 1989, it was already on top of all competitions in the class except its extra low price tag, $35K.

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lexusis350 - 3/23/2007 3:12:08 PM

-4 Boost

There is only one way to describe a Hyundai: it's a "me too" car company. Is this the new LS 400? No, it's not. It doesn't compare. If you look at examples from the lower division (Toyota and Hyundai), you would see that Toyotas do better with basically everything. I don't think the game will be played any differently with their upscale cars.

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WeAreMad - 3/23/2007 4:55:19 PM

+6 Boost

Hyundai Genesis = Volkswagen Phaeton (u.s.)

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1uberaudi - 3/23/2007 5:29:42 PM

-6 Boost

This should provide good competition for the LS460.

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EL34 - 3/23/2007 5:56:59 PM

-4 Boost

This Hyundai which ryhmes with Sunday looks like it's squarely aimed at the LS460 & Lucerne.

Coule be a 3 way tie!

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/24/2007 1:10:07 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

You remind me of my insane father. He's probably senile by now.

EL34 - 3/24/2007 8:25:04 PM

-2 Boost

Like father, like son.

:(

S4cabriofoxone - 3/24/2007 10:52:50 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Not in my life!

indoctrin8ed - 3/23/2007 6:01:25 PM

+4 Boost

Hyundai will have zero chance to compete with Lexus unless they rebrand the name and line. Toyota-> Lexus, Datsun->Nissan->Infinity. Honday->Acura. Even these: GM->Cadilac. Ford->Lincon. VW->Porsche. (sorry, couldn't resist). ;-)

Reminds me of the Smirnoff ads. No matter how many awards their "Triple Distilled" vodka will win against Grey Goose or Belvedere, it's still not what you want on your top shelf.

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Lexus - 3/23/2007 6:29:36 PM

-4 Boost

I certainly hope not, because if it as good as the Lexus LS than BMW, MB and Audi will be in serious trouble. BMW, MB and Audi be afraid, be very afraid Hyundai coming after you;)

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EL34 - 3/23/2007 7:28:30 PM

+3 Boost

No doubt!!

S4cabriofoxone - 3/24/2007 1:11:32 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Are you implying that the LS is better than the A8, 7 and S?

Can't they all be superb cars?

germeezy2 - 3/23/2007 7:25:49 PM

+2 Boost

Genesis would make a great name for a Luxury brand. If fits badged as a Hyundai it will go the way of the Phaeton.

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/24/2007 1:12:09 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Genisis is too similar to Infiniti, IMO. They're at least similar conceptually.

Lexus - 3/23/2007 7:28:49 PM

-6 Boost

That the scary about it, they might pull it off, and than BMW, Audi and MB is going to be in trouble.

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david999 - 3/23/2007 8:05:23 PM

+1 Boost

It will have as much success and impact as the VW Phaeton does in North America
ie, Ziltch!

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izfuney - 3/24/2007 3:33:47 PM

+3 Boost

How dare you, my good Sir, propose such a preposterously mild title on the reading public. All of us here on AutoSpies want the tripe content to be higher so we can bawl and post our mindless remarks with gusto. So i suggest the title be ..
"Is the Hyundai Genesis Going to Solve World Hunger, Bring Diana back to life and get you a supermodel sex slave !?"

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Chronoseus - 3/25/2007 1:55:08 PM

0 Boost

"Are you implying that the LS is better than the A8, 7 and S?

Can't they all be superb cars?"

Im with cabrio here, i like the ls n gotta say ot does brigns a lot of things that the others doesnt got, but that doesnt mean the other cars arent great ones. For insatance, i happen 2 like the s class a lot even without the things the ls has. As fot the hyundai thing... u gotta admit it looked like a camry at first sight, they r mimic-ing toyota at an obvious level. They need 2 do thing that comes from their own if they want to b taken seriously, and personally if they want to throw the mimic-ed camry, it should go to the toyota/nissan/honda class, never 4 the lexus/mb/bmw/etc class cuz honestly it doesnt suit them n probably wont workk 4 em

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tecnopolis - 3/26/2007 3:35:44 AM

+1 Boost

It is an impressive first step. It will not take Hyundai to many model generations to fine tune the Genesis concept to Lexus levels of quality and refinement. Additionaly, an unfair advantge of a competetive price point will put the Genesis on buyers shopping list. There is very little technology that is exclusive to Lexus, that can not be replicated from common parts suppliers for the Genesis.

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IS3andME - 3/26/2007 6:42:49 AM

+1 Boost

No, Hydundai is and always will be a bargain basement econocar company. This will go the way of the VW Phaeton, same marketing and product flaw.
People want to be looked up to in a status car, not down, and Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Audi are all status cars, a Hyundai is your first car----in high school, a car one drives because one must, not because one wants to.

markusck - 3/26/2007 12:57:00 PM

+2 Boost

If all they have to do is rebadge it and call it something luxury sounding, don't you think this says something about the people they are trying to market to? I mean, do you think the public is that oblivious and won't see through all the marketing smoke and mirrors? For Hyundai to compete with the likes of Mercedes, BMW and Audi they need more than a fancy name and a few good placements in primetime TV...or do they? Does it matter to you if underneath it all, its still a Hyundai?

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iamdabest1 - 3/26/2007 11:35:08 PM

+2 Boost

i dont think any CEO or pimp or wanabe big shot business man will think he can impress someone with a hyundai.
i dont care if this car has 1,000 horsepower or 0-60 in 3 seconds. most people will never consider a hyundai when looking for luxury car unless they really dont have money.
if you want luxury its saab and volvo at the minimum.
then comes lincoln,caddy,acura,infiniti,lexus,jaguar,audi,bmw,benz,maserati,bentley,maybach, rolls.
for 30,000 u have to be crazy not to get an avalon over a hyundai.

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Chronoseus - 5/11/2007 11:59:45 AM

+1 Boost

"i dont think any CEO or pimp or wanabe big shot business man will think he can impress someone with a hyundai.
i dont care if this car has 1,000 horsepower or 0-60 in 3 seconds. most people will never consider a hyundai when looking for luxury car unless they really dont have money."
Now that was funny, but as funny as it is, its also true. They wont win any preference on any of those types of people, they hve to chose the pleople they r marketing with this carefully

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jmh1956 - 6/19/2007 5:59:58 PM

+1 Boost

Times are changing.

Premium brand names don’t mean what they used to. Buying a lower price luxury car is considered smart.

I was in the market a year ago for a new car, I was looking at the Avalon and willing to go to the Lexus if need be. This may not apply to the people that have more money than sense, but I work hard for my money, I don’t care whats on the name badge, I care about the amenities and how much those amenities cost.

I ended up buying a Hyundai Azera. It is as nice and nicer in many ways than the Avalon, and as for the Lexus, the small advantage in amenities are not justified by the price difference.

I know some will say…..what about resale? Well, the way I see it, I will pocket my savings and if the Genesis materializes in 08……I will trade my Azera. Hyundai has an excellent trade program for past owners. By the time I need to trade the Genesis, I will bet Hyundai’s resale stats will be on the upswing, as they already are.

The price of luxo cars are UNBELIVEABLE, the average person cannot afford one, so I will bet that there are more than a few people out there like me that just wants a nice car at a reasonable price…if Hyundai is willing to supply that need, I will take it.

Buy the car you want.

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