2018 Kia Stinger
Most organizations, including MT, give their COTY award to the vehicles they think will make the most significant impact or contribution to the state of the auto market/auto industry. The Stinger, if nothing else, is the first serious Korean entry into the world of RWD/AWD sports-sedans (though, technically, it is a hatchback, not a sedan).
Personally, I would agree with the award myself, although the Hyundai Ioniq/Kia Niro (essentially the same car) may also be a contender as the first serious competitor to the Toyota Prius. The upcoming Opel-based Buick Regal Tour-X wagon also probably deserves some consideration as the first American-badged competitor, in quite some time, to the long-established Subaru Outback....the former Ford Freestyle was actually in a larger (full-size) class.
Personally, I would agree with the award myself, although the Hyundai Ioniq/Kia Niro (essentially the same car) may also be a contender as the first serious competitor to the Toyota Prius. The upcoming Opel-based Buick Regal Tour-X wagon also probably deserves some consideration as the first American-badged competitor, in quite some time, to the long-established Subaru Outback....the former Ford Freestyle was actually in a larger (full-size) class.
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
Likes: 261
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
That's another quirk of the Genesis system of marketing. A Genesis franchise at a Hyundai shop only allows the place to sell and service the G80 (and, presumably, the upcoming G70). Only select Genesis shops are allowed to handle the G90.
It was the same way with Hyundai and Kia franchises...only certain ones were allowed to sell or service the Hyundai Equus or Kia K900. Why?...beats me, unless factors like the quality and training-level of technicians, customer-friendly facilities, availability of loaners, etc.... like that are taken into consideration.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,574
Likes: 283
From: Illinois
I wouldn't be surprised if Hyundai/Genesis also looks at the demographics of the area in terms of income and competitive luxury brand dealerships nearby. I can see how some dealers who aren't getting a stand alone Genesis store are upset, but I think Hyundai is doing the right thing in not placing Genesis stores in areas that might not support the brand.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,300
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From: RightHere
I like the A7's back end styling better. Much more tauter styling. Kia looks nice too, but sort has that "big butt" look because of the hatchback/raised trunk look. Version 2.0 of the Kia is going to really give the Audi boys some fits, I'm sure.
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Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
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From: SG
With the huge investment Kia were willing to make on the Stinger (and possibly other high achievers not yet announced), its likely they have planned for a mid term refresh that will blow the Euro competition. Looking at Lexus' recent track record....its not likely to worry them much.The Stinger appeals to me who moved from the Germans but was ultimately disappointed by Lexus's abdication of leadership, particularly in areas of performance, efficiency, infotainment and hybrids. The brand cache didn’t matter so much, or I won’t have moved over to Lexus in the first place. And window dressing through fast looking styling can only help that much when real performance is missing.
Last edited by webra; Jan 6, 2018 at 07:23 PM. Reason: Words left out.
The pursuit of F
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,296
Likes: 303
From: Toronto, Canada
Looking at Lexus' recent track record....its not likely to worry them much.The Stinger appeals to me who moved from the Germans but was ultimately disappointed by Lexus's abdication of leadership, particularly in areas of performance, efficiency, infotainment and hybrids. The brand cache didn’t matter so much, or I won’t have moved in the first place. And window dressing through fast looking styling can only help that much.
You've mentioned this before and locally here at least, it's not true, so i'm not sure what you're basing it on.My local Hyundai dealer has plenty of g90s in stock.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...te-dealerships
Originally Posted by article
Genesis is accelerating forward plans to separate from the Hyundai dealership network. The brand, which began selling cars in August of 2016, can currently be sold in any of the 835 Hyundai dealers. That goes only for the G80 model, though, which used to be called the Hyundai Genesis. The G90, formerly the Hyundai Equus, is offered in 352 dealers, and each needs a showroom within a showroom.
https://www.genesis.com/us/en/genesi...-location.html
Here, in the D.C. area, for whatever reason, all but one of the Hyundai/Genesis shops in Virginia suburbs where I live handle both the G80 and G90.....the ones across the river in Maryland are G80 only. That's why Steve (SW15LS......I guess now SW17LS)
had to drive down to the big new Chantilly VA dealership (and that place is BIG) when he was checking out the G90.As time goes on, of course, and the brand expands, more and more shops will probably get authorization to handle all of the brand's products...I suspect that will be the case, especially, with the GV80 SUV and the demand it will likely bring. The local Fairfax, VA shop, for example, just a few miles from my place, started out as a smaller, only-G80 franchise...now it handles both.
Last edited by mmarshall; Jan 7, 2018 at 03:34 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Here......this explains it in solid numbers.
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...te-dealerships
Also, you can check it out for yourself on the Genesis Dealer Locator....you'll notice that there are two types....one for G80 only, and the other for both G80 and G90. Your local shop is (apparently) one that handles both of them.
https://www.genesis.com/us/en/genesi...-location.html
Here, in the D.C. area, for whatever reason, all but one of the Hyundai/Genesis shops in Virginia suburbs where I live handle both the G80 and G90.....the ones across the river in Maryland are G80 only. That's why Steve (SW15LS......I guess now SW17LS) had to drive down to the big new Chantilly VA dealership (and that place is BIG) when he was checking out the G90.
As time goes on, of course, and the brand expands, more and more shops will probably get authorization to handle all of the brand's products...I suspect that will be the case, especially, with the GV80 SUV and the demand it will likely bring. The local Fairfax, VA shop, for example, just a few miles from my place, started out as a smaller, only-G80 franchise...now it handles both.
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...te-dealerships
Also, you can check it out for yourself on the Genesis Dealer Locator....you'll notice that there are two types....one for G80 only, and the other for both G80 and G90. Your local shop is (apparently) one that handles both of them.
https://www.genesis.com/us/en/genesi...-location.html
Here, in the D.C. area, for whatever reason, all but one of the Hyundai/Genesis shops in Virginia suburbs where I live handle both the G80 and G90.....the ones across the river in Maryland are G80 only. That's why Steve (SW15LS......I guess now SW17LS)
had to drive down to the big new Chantilly VA dealership (and that place is BIG) when he was checking out the G90.As time goes on, of course, and the brand expands, more and more shops will probably get authorization to handle all of the brand's products...I suspect that will be the case, especially, with the GV80 SUV and the demand it will likely bring. The local Fairfax, VA shop, for example, just a few miles from my place, started out as a smaller, only-G80 franchise...now it handles both.
Going forward, Genesis is splitting to independent shops, all of which will be required to make whatever necessary measures for the full Genesis lineup, including the coming crossovers. It's actually not going to be "more and more shops" they're actively whittling the number of dealers from the 300+ G80/G90 Hyundai shops today to target close to 100 or so. They realize that dealers need significant/substantial volume to reach profitability, and limiting sales points to key areas will allow each dealership to be successful, despite seemingly lower number of accessible touch points. For example, Lexus has ~240 dealers nationwide to sell roughly 300K cars per year. Hyundai/Genesis understands the need to start from the beginning and have happy dealers. Which much lower sales volumes until they can grow, they need much fewer, but dedicated retail outlets.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 391
From: PA
I see where you're coming from, not even imho do the BMWs of the world innovate today, too expensive