Hyundai CEO: Our hybrids will be better than the Prius

Now that the 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan is out and with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe on the way next year, we’ve stopped laughing (however, we still don’t think Hyundai is at the same level of German or Japanese luxury).

Speaking about the Korean automakers upcoming range of hybrid and fuel cell cars, Dong-Jin said that his green lineup will be ‘more advanced than the Prius.’ He said that Toyota’s hybrid systems are “now quite old-tech.”

We’re not even going to bother commenting on that. However we will tell you about what Hyundai has planned for its hybrid and fuel-cell initiatives.

Hyundai’s first hybrid will be the...
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zairnaim - 5/30/2008 4:51:38 PM

+8 Boost

duh... toyota's hybrid system has dated that's why they are launching a new version of hybrid synergy drive soon. If Hyundai didn't beat them during all this time that it has been out it would be quite sad.

monkeyrun - 5/30/2008 4:53:32 PM

+3 Boost

Oh please, wheels are also very "old-tech".

When are you going to replace it, Hyundai?

silver1 - 5/30/2008 4:54:03 PM

+3 Boost

They wish. They must have forgotten that the new 2010 Prius will get 80mpg+. I am 900% sure Hyundai will not top that....

KZ258 - 5/30/2008 5:08:15 PM

+2 Boost

and im 110% sure that you are simply bullsh**ing

truckmen - 5/31/2008 2:19:21 AM

+4 Boost

Just like the current one gets 60mpg.

Htay7500 - 5/30/2008 5:55:23 PM

+3 Boost

I'm also 500% sure that silver1 is talking out of his ass.

ghosthunter - 5/30/2008 6:31:20 PM

+7 Boost

Honda Insight,10 years old, can achieve 75 mpg.
build a car that gets better mpg than prius is one thing, build a car that gets good mpg and packed with functionality/usability for the average users is another.

Peyton18 - 5/30/2008 6:41:30 PM

+1 Boost

I like Hyundai cos their ambitious. I hate Hyundai because of the name. Terrible name, terrible past reputation. A slick nameplate and logo would do wonders for them.

Agent63 - 5/30/2008 8:04:43 PM

+1 Boost

Lets just praise Hyundai for going hybrid as well. Their trying to get a share of the market and also trying to make life on earth a little greener. Nothing wrong with that. It's all healthy competition.

Some people bashed GM for implementing hybrids in their model ranges. Is this any different?

Star - 5/30/2008 10:50:40 PM

-1 Boost

To surpass Toyota in quality is not really as hard as the Toyota fanatics would like to say it is. I believe that Hyundai can easily build better hybrids than Toyota.

Agent63 - 5/30/2008 11:26:07 PM

+1 Boost

I don't know about easily but they can sure damn give it their best shot. This is the best time as ever to get into the market. They have a lot to prove and many years to keep it consistent if they are successful. Otherwise they're always going to be viewed as a DUD.

truckmen - 5/31/2008 2:29:00 AM

+1 Boost

PML made a mini cooper hybrid that blows the doors off the present prius, way more efficient with 640hp with 0-60 time of 4.5 secounds. All Hyundi has to do is work with PML and they will be the best for a long time!!! I would not even consider and current hybrid systems today because they all are too much money and they just do not perform. Soon we will be getting hybrid cars with incredible MPG and faster than gas motors if they follow plm's lead.

deepwater - 5/31/2008 3:23:42 AM

+2 Boost

I want to see the real hybrid first. Mr. Dong-Jin, let us test Hyundai hybrids and compare with Prius. Do not forget, Toyota has 12 years experience in hybrid technology from design up to recycling.
Hyundai will start everything from scatch.
Does Hyundai network prepare for repair and sales as well?
When will come out the your's hybrid?
Can you explain the features/specs deatils?
What is the pric of the car?
How much is the maintenance cost?
Can I purchase an winter tyre for the car?
What kind of lease can I take?
What is the planned residual value of your car?

Mr. Hyundai, be kind do not tell smoke, let you show your "hybrid" cards.

mpls - 5/31/2008 5:57:46 AM

+2 Boost

Hyundai, building better quality cars is not through talking but action..

Even if gthey maanaged a hybrid, the question is can it last and be reliable. Come to think of it, who will the Hyundai guys copy the technilogu from, Toyota, Honda or any others who are woring on hybrids etc..

mpls - 5/31/2008 6:04:05 AM

+1 Boost

PML, how much did it cost to develop and can it be mass produced profitably but at a reachable price to consumers.. Its no good if each car costs thousands and thousands each to make is it ?

truckmen - 6/4/2008 6:14:52 AM

+1 Boost

mpls- I think it would be safe to say that if PML mass produced a car with there superior hybrid system it would be affordable to buy, although I would hate to think at how much a one off would cost!

racinghart - 6/2/2008 4:04:30 AM

+3 Boost

Building a car that gets higher mpg than a hybrid is easy. They've been available for years already. They're called diesel's...

dodgedart - 6/2/2008 3:55:39 PM

+1 Boost

Hyundai can probably build a very good hybrid if they build on their recent successes.

They are heading in a good direction, at least they're not talking up fake "mild hybrid" technology.