Hyundai Sales Slide 8.0% in July

Hyundai Motor America recorded July sales of 43,511, a decrease of eight percent over the same period last year. Vehicle sales were led by Sonata which posted July sales of 14,802, up five percent over the same period last year. The Entourage posted sales totaling 1,544, an increase of 16 percent and the all-new Veracruz reported its fourth consecutive record sales month.

“July was a challenging month industry wide. Although we are off to a slower than anticipated start going into the third quarter, we are confident the summer selling season has yet to peak and expect stronger sales in the next couple of months,” said Dave Zuchowski, vice president, National Sales, Hyundai Motor America. “With increased availability of the fuel-efficient Accent and Elantra, in addition to continued growth of the all-new premium crossover Veracruz and mid-size crossover Santa Fe, we look forward to a stronger August.”

pushrod27 - 8/1/2007 3:26:58 PM

-3 Boost

It's very funny that Hyundai is starting to target Lexus models. And the Lexus fans are actually insulted! Now they see how it feels when some chump from nowhere claims he's going to eat your lunch. Is it preposterous for Hyundai to claim Lexus as a competitor? No more so than claiming that a Lexus is the equal of proper European luxury cars.

M35MT - 8/1/2007 3:41:35 PM

+2 Boost

Do you even follow the industry trends you moron? Lexus is competing with them. Just like LG and Samsung are sticking it to Sony/Panasonic.

I dont care if you love Lexus or hate them. It is a fact that they compete.

M35MT - 8/1/2007 4:38:28 PM

0 Boost

What are you trying to say? I was referencing another industry once dominated by 2 exclusive brands that now have fierce competition. What is your question?

Yes Germany can make a luxury car. They make awesome luxury cars.

pushrod27 - 8/1/2007 4:44:37 PM

-3 Boost

You're the moron. I didn't say that Lexus doesn't compete. Read carefully before you respond. Unfortunately, your average car consumer isn't an informed enthusiast, so Lexus sells very well. From a business standpoint, they do compete. But the cars themselves are not equal. For people who really love and appreciate cars, a Lexus can't begin to satisfy the craving for a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW.

M35MT - 8/2/2007 4:12:03 PM

+2 Boost

Once again, you are the idiot. They do satisfy the needs of enthusiasts. It depends what you're in the market for. Pull your head out of your ass. I hold no bias to any brand/country. You clearly do.

1970toyotamarc - 8/1/2007 4:22:25 PM

+3 Boost

Based on these figure, I think it's safe to say that Lexus is not quaking on their boots. I doubt that even Toyota, Nissan or Honda are all too worried right now. Y'all keep with this mythology of Hyundai competing with Lexus if it allows you to sleep at night. But for now, I think Hyundai needs to take a step back from their targeted luxury domination.

pushrod27 - 8/1/2007 4:46:47 PM

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Please. Lexus has more in common with Hyundai than they do with the Europeans. In fact they are exactly the same thing: a cheaper and reasonably satisfying alternative to what you really want.

pushrod27 - 8/1/2007 9:20:24 PM

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You 'admire' something as pedestrian as a lexus? Your voice is silent to me. Lexus and Hyundai both lack the power and the glory of the heritage European marques. they are both asian, both contstantly reverse engineering products. Instead of inventing and innovating, they piggyback on proven concepts.

BMW gets an idea for a light and powerful coupe. The M3 is born. Lexus sees BMW making a killing on M3s and comes up with an IS-F to enter the market. Hyundai sees Lexus making a killing selling knock-off Benzes, and so Hyundai starts building knock-off Lexuses to capitalize on the market segment. See what i'm getting at?

Will_ - 8/1/2007 5:02:49 PM

+6 Boost

Hyundai/Kia is also targeting European brands with their new products and new marketing tactics.

What's interesting about the Hyundai arguments here is more how European fans respond rather than Japanese ones. The Euro-fanatics are gun-ho on absolutely any brand with even the slightest indication of toppling Toyota/Lexus. That's how much hate they have for them. They'll even support Daewoo if they started to come out with a similar product.

Lexus has more in common with the Euro-luxury brands than any other non-Euro brand. Just deal with it instead of trying to make yourselves believe otherwise.

Spectator - 8/1/2007 5:27:25 PM

+3 Boost

Kudos Will.

Someone else who can actually see the forrest through the trees.

It's funny ... the war between the Germans and the Japanese is so blinding that noone seemed to notice the Koreans sneaking up.

pushrod27 - 8/1/2007 5:42:52 PM

-2 Boost

I think you're smart Will. But i don't always agree with you. For me personally, a Lexus does not satisfy me. Nice cars, but just not the same thing as a Mercedes-Benz. Maybe it's an age thing. I remember when Lexus came out. So in my eyes, it will never be anything more than a fancy Toyota. Others are free to feel otherwise. I think that BMW, MB and even Cadillac are prestigious, because that's what i grew up on. Lexus means nothing to me. Hyundai, Lexus, Acura.. they are all interchangeable to me. In fact, i actually like Infiniti. I think they are the closest (not in sales, but in automotive spirit) premium Japanese maker to BMW and the others. to me, Lexus is just a contrived brand with copycat product. BMW and MB produce cars based on a motoring philosophy. Lexus creates cars based on competing with BMW and MB in market segments that have been proven profitable.

M35MT - 8/2/2007 4:24:24 PM

-1 Boost

Valid point you have regarding Infiniti, pushrod.

pushrod27 - 8/1/2007 7:23:00 PM

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A 'Hyundai' aficionado??? WTF?!? Are you serious? That's like being a dog sh*t connossieur. I'm surprised that anyone would voluntarily admit to owning a Hyundai. But you're actually proud of it. What's the world coming to? I guess i'm a dinosaur. When did Lexus go from premium to luxury? When did Hyundai go from unnacceptable to having 'aficionados?'

pushrod27 - 8/1/2007 7:26:00 PM

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... Oh, and NOTHING with a Hyundai badge on it can give you the 'appearance of high-dollar luxury.' It's just not possible.

pushrod27 - 8/1/2007 7:29:38 PM

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Maybe it's me. I would much rather buy a used car than a brand-new Hyundai. You can get a 2004 Nissan Maxima with about 30k miles on it for less than $20k. I would take that in a heartbeat before i even considered a Hyundai. Hell, I'd take an old 1994 Oldsmobile 88 Royale with 90,000 miles, fading paint, and dents in the rear doors before i would consider Hyundai. Do yourself a favor and get some class before you go car shopping again. I hope you're not a man.

Spectator - 8/2/2007 3:55:20 PM

+1 Boost

"Hell, I'd take an old 1994 Oldsmobile 88 Royale with 90,000 miles, fading paint, and dents in the rear doors before i would consider Hyundai. Do yourself a favor and get some class"

pushrod27...that could quite possibly be the funniest statment I have ever heard. To follow a rant with the statment 'get some class'.

You sir exude class.

You could quite possibly be the quintessential gentlemen's gentleman. Possessing strength of forsight and literary aptitude to rival...nay...surpass, those of the great authors Shelley, Keats and Longfellow.

Personally, I'd much rather drive up to the valet at the Grand Hyatt here in D.C., or even pick my daughter up at school, in a 2007 Azera...instead of a disheveled Oldsmobile.

chuck717 - 8/2/2007 3:35:12 PM

+2 Boost

Hyundai board doesn't sit up all night and wonder if they can compete with Lexus or Toyota and vice a versa. Their dealer strength alone makes it very unlikely and the Lexus dealers showrooms are top notch in luxury buyer awareness.Hyundai wants more then a niche mentality of course, but in the long run like Coke or Pepsi cola companies can make money world wide and that is what drives mfg like Hyundai.
They can provide a good quality car at a fair price and they can make some money they are happy. This car company has come a very long ways unlike a Chrysler that lives in the 50's and 60's and act like they know what is happening in the 21st century. Leave Hyundai alone gang, Lexus is the choice of money no object buyers, for many money is a object and this company has filled a bill?