Food For Thought

[The Critic]

Quote:

It’s strange: When you talk to the big manufacturers in Japan, then they are worried by benchmarking Volkswagen and Hyundai. GM never comes up. When you talk to Bob Lutz, who has been re-hired as a part-time consultant to GM executives, then he is worried by benchmarking Volkswagen and Hyundai. Toyota never comes up. Bob Lutz thinks the Japanese have lost it. Germany’s Manager Magazin disturbed Lutz’s Swiss vacation with an interview, and Lutz, always good for explosive quotes, did not disappoint:

“A while ago, many experts thought, the race for the top position in the auto business would be a dead heat between GM, Toyota, and Honda. This has changed. The Big Three are now GM, Volkswagen, and Hyundai. Toyota is in decline. The Japanese lost their bullet-proof quality image. Their cars aren’t especially pretty. Their driving dynamics is below the level of the best European and American cars.

GM on the other hand has improved its engineering, payroll and healthcare are way down after the bankruptcy. When it comes to platform sharing amongst brands, GM always has been absolutely competitive. Trust me: GM will give Volkswagen and Hyundai a tough fight.”

With Maximum Bob’s, and Martin Winterkorn’s endorsement, I guess it’s safe to buy a Hyundai.


http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/09/maximum-bob-the-big-three-are-gm-volkswagen-and-hyundai/

Discuss.

 

[mechanicx]

Sounds like media putting a positive spin on Hyundai. A lot of people have been saying Japanese cars main selling point-perception of greater reliabilty-is disapearing and the styling and driving dymanics are not leading but they never really were. Hyundai is selling cars and that's the threat. No one quoted actually said Hyundais drove good or were particularly reliable. I personally think VW and European cars driving dynamics are overrated as is Japanese reliabilty and GM and domestics are underrated.

 

[Smokescreen]

It would be interesting if we could get whomever is a consultant to the Ford executives. Would he say that Ford, VW and Hyundai are at the lead of the pack...Hmmmmm??.....Of course the guy consulting GM is going to lump GM with the other 'benchmarks'...he's not going to bite the hand that's feeding him!

That aside, Hyundai has really stepped up their game and if they keep it up they will continue to climb. Indeed, Hyundai looks like a safe bet.

 

[The_Jeff]

^ +1 if I were GM I'd worry about ford and laugh at chrysler.

When is Hyundai coming out with a pickup truck? They aren't a full line maker...

 

[OtisBlkR1]

intresting, in my neck of the woods VW is not a factor, not even a local dealership.. but we do have the others.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
^ +1 if I were GM I'd worry about ford and laugh at chrysler.

When is Hyundai coming out with a pickup truck? They aren't a full line maker...


Why would Hyundai want to bring their H100 over when they're doing so well with their current car lineup?

Hyndai does have a pickup, they just choose not to build it to our specifications or import it to our shores, since it's not an "American" style pickup.

 

[zyxelenator]

Hyundai got much better than they used to be. My next car could be their, seriously. I really like Veloster. But if I get one--it will be turbo with stick(toxic green on big rims with body matching inserts ) which is coming out soon.

 

[NateDN10]

Hyundai definitely seems to be the up-and-coming car manufacturer. Their styling is top-notch, their warranty is impressive, their fuel economy is very good.

Volkswagen still seems like more of a niche player to me. I know they're doing their best to become mainstream, but IMHO, they've got farther to go than does Hyundai.

I also think that GM would do well to consider Ford as a very serious competitor. Now, Ford's luxury lineup is seriously lacking, while GM is looking very good in that space. But their bread-and-butter lineup is very competitive.

I do agree that Toyota and Honda need to step up their game to remain competitive. Their conservative plays lately might be good for business in the short term, but they had better have some more innovative designs and technology in the works for the future, or they'll be edged out.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: NateDN10

Volkswagen still seems like more of a niche player to me. I know they're doing their best to become mainstream, but IMHO, they've got farther to go than does Hyundai.


IDK, when people wanted small, simple, and easy to work on they had the air cooled stuff. When they wanted MPG they had the Rabbit, Dasher. When they wanted pseudo-luxury euro feel/image they had that. Now they want decontented, cheap cars and VW makes those... like the new Jetta with a Cutlass Ciera style rear axle.

VWs batting average has been better than most. Yet I don't get the sense of hunger Hyundai has. Maybe it's the VW dealers/ VWofNA and their attitudes.

 

[Norm Olt]

Originally Posted By: NateDN10
Hyundai definitely seems to be the up-and-coming car manufacturer. Their styling is top-notch, their warranty is impressive, their fuel economy is very good.



As for their service and customer service...? I'll let others comment.

Cheers!

p.s. I'd still be willing to take a flier on a used Genesis V8 at the right price, though! Maybe even a 4 cylinder coupe, as well?

 

[mechanicx]

This isn't directed at anyone in particular but in general I don't get why so many and the media are seemingly rooting for Hyundai like they are the home team or something. It's as if something isn't American or European brand then it's, "you can do it, we support you". That's all any brand needs to exceed.

I can't imagine in Korea and Japan they are saying, "come on GM, you are getting better than the rest, I'm going to buy one". Especially when US automakers are mostly locked out of their markets. I don't get all the enthusiasm for products and brands from Asia

. But then again I don't get a lot of things promoted in the media.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
This is directed at anyone in particular but in general I don't get why so many and the media are seemingly rooting for Hyundai like they are the home team or something. It's as if something isn't American or European brand then it's, "you can do it, we support you". That's all any brand needs to exceed.

I can't imagine in Korea and Japan they are saying, "come on GM, you are getting better than the rest, I'm going to buy one". Especially when US automakers are mostly locked out of their markets. I don't get all the enthusiasm for products and brands from Asia

. But then again I don't get a lot of things promoted in the media.

Everyone loves an underdog story.

 

[mechanicx]

I guess but GM would be an underdog now with all it has gone through. There still seems to be a bias against American and to a lessor extent European brands or least more wide support for brands from Asia. Seems like all you read any where is, "get you a Hyundai", "get Korean or Chinese tires they're the best" "LG and Samsung are the best!". Korean this chinese that. They're not the best so why do we keeping hearing how they are? Am I crazy to believe it is because the same people who control the media are investing in those brands and countries or what?

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I guess but GM would be an underdog now with all it has gone through. There still seems to be a bias against American and to a lessor extent European brands or least more wide support for brands from Asia. Seems like all you read any where is, "get you a Hyundai", "get Korean or Chinese tires they're the best" "LG and Samsung are the best!". Korean this chinese that. They're not the best so why do we keeping hearing how they are? Am I crazy to believe it is because the same people who control the media are investing in those brands and countries or what?


I have never heard "Get Chinese, they're the best" or Chinese this Chinese that. Putting Korea technology in the same bracket as the Chinese is like putting America in the same bracket as the Mexicans or the Japanese with the Russians.

Furthermore, the reason why people are talking about Hyundai the most is because they are criticized the most and people still can't believe they are making a huge comeback after their image failure in the 1980's. More people are buying Hyundai's and some people still can't believe they are a legit car company and a powerhouse. People still have the "cheap" stuck in their heads. Yes, they're a little less inexpensive because of currency advantage but Korean products have been receiving good ratings for almost all of their products Deal with it , People!

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I guess but GM would be an underdog now with all it has gone through. There still seems to be a bias against American and to a lessor extent European brands or least more wide support for brands from Asia. Seems like all you read any where is, "get you a Hyundai", "get Korean or Chinese tires they're the best" "LG and Samsung are the best!". Korean this chinese that. They're not the best so why do we keeping hearing how they are? Am I crazy to believe it is because the same people who control the media are investing in those brands and countries or what?


I'm with you. The truth with electronics is all of that manufacturing left years ago. LG got stuck with all of Zenith's debt when they went bankrupt, GE sold RCA and GE off to over seas investors, and Magnavox went to Philips. None of those companies could compete with China and Taiwan laborers making $1/day.

I am still puzzled by Americans who won't buy an American car or even consider one. Maybe I am too young to remember the unreliable American cars of the 70's and early 80's. Every American car I owned was after the feedback carb fiascos and they ran just fine.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I guess but GM would be an underdog now with all it has gone through. There still seems to be a bias against American and to a lessor extent European brands or least more wide support for brands from Asia. Seems like all you read any where is, "get you a Hyundai", "get Korean or Chinese tires they're the best" "LG and Samsung are the best!". Korean this chinese that. They're not the best so why do we keeping hearing how they are? Am I crazy to believe it is because the same people who control the media are investing in those brands and countries or what?


I have never heard "Get Chinese, they're the best" or Chinese this Chinese that. Putting Korea technology in the same bracket as the Chinese is like putting America in the same bracket as the Mexicans or the Japanese with the Russians.

Furthermore, the reason why people are talking about Hyundai the most is because they are criticized the most and people still can't believe they are making a huge comeback after their image failure in the 1980's. More people are buying Hyundai's and some people still can't believe they are a legit car company and a powerhouse. People still have the "cheap" stuck in their heads. Yes, they're a little less inexpensive because of currency advantage but Korean products have been receiving good ratings for almost all of their products Deal with it , People!


I don't agree with your explaination. I have seen a lot of promoting of Hankook tires, and as long as the brand isn't china, promoting of the "quality" china manufactured goods, but I never said China products or brands are being hyped that much...yet. I'm saying you see a lot of hyping and rooting for Korean and Japanese brands. But you act like it's just the opposite and Americans aren't supportive enough of Korea as they should be lol. I understand your partiality to Korean brands and industry. But ask yourself this, if I were to move to Korea would I see any kind of rooting for say GM or Goodyear there? I'm sticking with my hypothesis that the media promotes where they invest.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
I am still puzzled by Americans who won't buy an American car or even consider one. Maybe I am too young to remember the unreliable American cars of the 70's and early 80's. Every American car I owned was after the feedback carb fiascos and they ran just fine.


I remember some of the late 70's and early 80's GM vehicles and even owned some of them and I don't remember them being all that relatively unreliable either. I remember all cars foreign or domestic needing more maintenance and repairs back then, but parts were cheaper and the repairs were usually simpler to do and less expensive.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Maybe I am too young to remember the unreliable American cars of the 70's and early 80's. Every American car I owned was after the feedback carb fiascos and they ran just fine.


You're also too young (as are most of the somewhat older than you, 'buy Asian/Nippon nameplates ONLY' consumer generation) to remember the Japanese 'rolling rust buckets' of the mid sixites to at least early seventies.
They may otherwise have been relatively "reliable", but were certainly NOT the "epitomes of perfection" that sooo many have made them out to be then, or since then.

 

[Torino]

I am personally pushing the media to encourage bringing back the Studebaker. Thats a cause we all should be behind. John--Las Vegas.

 

[Cutehumor]

I grew up in the late 80's and 90's. so my perception of quality is way different than the baby boomers.