Hyundai UNCENSORED: Can A Hyundai Make You Feel LAME For Buying A Mercedes-Benz?

And people wonder why Hyundai is doing so well with its sales figures, pft.

After killing its sales figures for 2009, Hyundai is still raising the bar and its respective trajectory in regards to U.S. auto sales. To be specific, last month's June sales were up 35 percent year-over-year. AND, its year-to-date sales, compared to 2009, are up 25 percent.

Can you say killing it?

Unlike Chrysler who has speculation surrounding how many of its sales are to fleets -- Chrysler had 35 percent growth YOY in June -- Hyundai's fleet sales are down 21 percent in 2010.

The cherry on top, however, is Hyundai's latest marketing effort(s).

The first video displays "consumer's" impressions while what appears to be a test drive. Whether or not these individuals are actors is beyond us. Remember, this is marketing and sales. Although we would not be surprised if this was the reaction of many first time Hyundai test drives. After all, have you recently driven a Hyundai?

The second video is another "uncensored" advertisement, which features 001's favorite line:

"I feel so lame for spending the money on my Mercedes..."

After seeing the Sonata spot that boasts the paint is better than that of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, you have to see that Hyundai really has it out for Benz.

But would YOU feel lame for spending the $$ on that Benz of yours?

Let us know in the comments below...

**Check out both advertisements below

[Source: YouTube]








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Joe_Limon - 7/13/2010 6:58:06 PM

-10 Boost

I'm confused, people who buy Mercedes don't buy them because they are the cheapest things on the road. So how is Hyundai gunning for them?

Also, you might want a more convincing argument of how well Hyundai is doing... you chose North America's "black sheep" automaker and it scored identical yoy sales gains to Hyundai all without stating exactly how Chryslers fleet sales are doing. Yoy increases should be expected the year after a huge sales crash. I guess if you wanted to show how Hyundai is growing... cite the industry as a whole and say how Hyundai is gaining market share since it has a higher yoy sales than the market in general...

Agent00R - 7/13/2010 7:30:25 PM

+2 Boost

[Sigh] Joe, when are you going to learn...

They are targeting Mercedes-Benz by repetitively mentioning them in its marketing efforts. First it was Hyundai saying the Sonata has better quality paint than a CLS. Now an "owner" is saying he feels lame for spending all of the extra $ for a Benz, when Hyundai has the Sonata.

My point with the Chrysler reference was that as one journalist put it, "...[Chrysler] it had to sell about three cars..." to do better than last year's YOY sales for June. Additionally, there is plenty of speculation about Chrysler and how many of its sales are going to fleets. Some have said approximately 50 percent of sales are going to fleets.

MEANWHILE, Hyundai is becoming LESS dependent on fleet sales as has decreased 21 percent.

And if I wanted to cite how Hyundai was doing I'd probably mention its 2009 year-end sales were in the black with two other automakers, Kia and Subaru. Everyone else was in the red.

Joe_Limon - 7/13/2010 7:38:43 PM

-5 Boost

I don't get your three cars comment, Chrysler sold overall about 10k more cars then Hyundai last month. Also where did you get 35% gains for Hyundai? I see 28%, 64,788->83,111

Also, by Hyundai wishing to associate itself with Mercedes is akin to Mini trying to associate itself with Porsche, they can market it however they want but that doesn't mean they are the same market segment.

Agent00R - 7/13/2010 7:52:21 PM

+3 Boost

@Joe

Must not be a finance guy. Look up who led year-end 2009 auto sales.

Actually, I'll help you out...

2009 YEAR END SALES: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-01-05-auto-sales_N.htm

**Note the "Chg. From 2008" column, 1)Subaru 2)Kia 3)Hyundai

CHRYSLER June 2010 sales: http://www.autospies.com/news/Chrysler-Drags-Itself-Out-Of-The-Ditch-As-Sales-Leap-Forward-35-In-June-55571/

HYUNDAI June 2010 sales: http://www.autospies.com/news/Hyundai-Continues-Strong-Growth-With-A-35-Increase-In-June-Sales-55575/

No kidding they are not in the same segment, doesn't mean they aren't trying to "gun" for them by comparing their vehicles in the same breath.

Joe_Limon - 7/13/2010 8:15:42 PM

-2 Boost

how on earth do you target a manufacturer when you just admitted they aren't in the same market segment... That's like saying "Suzuki is Gunning for Ferrari" when and if they make a new performance version of one of their vehicles. It's a totally irrelevant and baseless claim.

Also, I am starting to question sales numbers.

see these other links for the yoy sales gains

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/hyundaikia-keep-on-keepin-on-as-combined-june-sales-rise-28-percent/

http://news.autoglobe.com/2010/07/01/june-2010-us-sales-hyundai-up-28/

Agent00R - 7/13/2010 8:41:18 PM

+3 Boost

@Joe

Sometimes it is not the tool, it is the carpenter.

Of course it would be 28 percent when you COMBINE THE RESULTS. NOTE: Hyundai GROUP is not simply Hyundai. It is also Kia added in there as seen in TTAC's analysis.

Our sales figures are VANILLA Hyundai, no Kia sales numbers considered and/or combined. LOOK at the model names in the link provided above before you start questioning validity of sales figures...

RNeekChic - 7/13/2010 7:58:30 PM

+1 Boost

IMO no... Hyundai will be known for affordable luxury. Benz, BMW, Lexus, etc are not "affordable luxury" and people know that. Those brands other then luxury also have a je ne sais quoi along with it. Seriously if people that buy a Benz will feel stupid when they pull up next to a hyundai... then I'm pretty sure they will be driving a hyundai themselves because if they can afford a Benz, BMW, etc. I'm sure they can buy a hyundai. That all in itself separates Hyundai owner from Benz most of the time.

Need4Speed - 7/14/2010 10:16:29 AM

+2 Boost

+1

People seem to forget...its in there nature to stand out, to be noticed, to be looked upon as having the best and knowing what is the best. Unfortunately, that is usually limited to their fiscal potential. Car companies like MB, BMW, Porsche, etc...have long ago established their prestige and supremacy long before these Asian brands. They have earned the right to charge premium prices and people have come to recognize them as such. I hardly believe that anyone who has owned or has the potentioal to own a MB or BMW thinks that a Hyundai would be the better car to own.

kornholio - 7/13/2010 8:16:12 PM

0 Boost

OK I get the ads and they are brilliant. I would just like to know how many thousands of hidden camera videos they had to take before finding these gems that were used. I bet the majority are of people saying "What a piece of crap".

Agent001 - 7/13/2010 8:48:43 PM

+4 Boost

LOLOL!!

Yea, they are soo bad I decided to buy the 2011 Sonata for my son as his first car.

Compared to everyone and NO one came close.

+ They were 5-7k more with less options, didn't drive as well, weren't as safe and warranties were not even close...should I go on?

New Sonata is ALL that.

001

Patronus - 7/13/2010 9:04:27 PM

+2 Boost

"...weren't as safe..."

Uhh, OK folks, who would rather be in a major wreck in a Sonata instead of a Benz? Thought so.

Agent001 - 7/14/2010 12:37:19 AM

-2 Boost

I meant that the cars I considered, Camry, Malibu, Accord, Prius, Civic, Corolla, Scion, etc.

001

Agent001 - 7/14/2010 12:55:10 AM

-1 Boost

And Fusion/Milan were considered as well

001

DogLb - 7/13/2010 10:09:55 PM

0 Boost

They guy who feels lame must have bought a C280...Gen Y and younger has a positive vibe about Hyundai. I can't say the same thing when I was younger and looking at cars - Hyundai was a POS car.

Just ask Kanye West in Gold Diggers..."win a Super Bowl and drive off in a Hyundai..." - not exactly a positive endorsement

But, I will give it to them that appearance, marketing and quality have all gone to another level. So maybe the driver in question does indeed feel lame in the entry level category.

delan - 7/13/2010 10:15:17 PM

-1 Boost

Sigh, I sure as hell do not have buyers remorse when I:
1-speed from 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds
2-bolt through corners effortlessly
3-plop my ass on the plush leather heated/cooled seats
4-show up the dealer for scheduled servicing and them ushering me into posh lounge and making me whatever I want to eat
5-Immerse myself in the quiet cabin, devoid of squeaks, rattles, or wind noise.

First they targeted Lexus, now Mercedes......Really? Delusions of grandeur. They get an A for effort though.

tango - 7/13/2010 10:25:31 PM

+2 Boost

Joe Limon is at it again. Running off his mouth and missing the point by a mile. Nowhere is anybody claiming that Hyundai is in the same market segment as Mercedes, et al. What is being said is that those who cannot afford to pay for the garbage that really is Mercedes, BMW (and all the others hailing from that side of the Pond), can rest assured that they are getting better for less if they seek out a Hyundai. I would buy a Hyundai over any European car and it's not a cost issue. I just trust Hyundai's ability to build a trouble-free car over the abilities of the others. That said, I will openly admit that I have driven 2010 versions of the Genesis Coupe and the Elantra and I wasn't moved with excitement by either. But then again, I've driven BMWs and not been moved either. The differnce is that I was confident that the Hyundai wouldn't break in my hands, while in the BMW I was WAITING or it to break...

uaw_lax - 7/13/2010 11:24:32 PM

+3 Boost

Ok if you where to take a supermodel on a date which car would you pick BMW, MB or Hyundia?

Joe_Limon - 7/14/2010 1:18:17 AM

-2 Boost

lol you're funny

uaw_lax - 7/13/2010 11:25:41 PM

0 Boost

BTW those are the worst paid actors I have ever seen.

1dott8 - 7/13/2010 11:40:07 PM

0 Boost

I am a German car fanatic and i got to say, all things being equal, i would opt for the Hyundai hands down. Hyundai has come a long way and deserve the recognition BUT there is no way I would chose one over something German.

dayday - 7/14/2010 12:02:32 AM

-1 Boost

I think Hyundai is improving so rapidly! And Car fans like people on this site start to notice how good it has become lately. But in terms of general car buyers on the market, someone who usually buys Toyota/Hyundai might feel a bit lame spending that much money on a Merc, But I think an usual Merc customer will never consider buying a Hyundai, unless Hyundai makes it's own luxury brand like Toyota or Nissan etc.

FatnSassy - 7/14/2010 8:54:56 AM

+2 Boost

Its a nice car. It is no MB, BMW, etc. However if you are a person that does not appreciate the quality and handling of a MB, BMW then you should buy a Hyundai because you are not enjoying those cars for the reasons they are built. The Hyundai is to get you from A to Z as good as it can. The MB, BMW are built to do the same but with a special driving experience and the feeling that all that hard work you do allows to experience the finer things and quality products.

Need4Speed - 7/14/2010 10:04:08 AM

0 Boost

I don't think its all about driving experience or performance...those things can be reproduced rather cheaply in just about any car nowadays. The point to a German can can be put this way...My wife and I were having dinner and an older guy pulls up in front of the restaurant driving a 1970 Mercedes SL. This car was gorgeous...it was in pristine condition. I ended up having a conversation with the guy about the car and he was the original owner. I thought to myself, this is why people buy German cars. I have a 2005 330 Ci with 75,000 miles on the odometer. It looks and feels like it came out of the showroom, and other than the weekly wash and regular oil changes...I've never had a single issue with this car. I can't think of one Japanese or Asian brand that has anything that can match the 1970 SL. I've owned 5 Japanese cars before my BMW...including an ES300...and none has impressed me as much as my 330. I can't for the life of me figure out what the big deal is with owning an Asian branded car, other than price. The best thing I ever did was buy the BMW...I will always be a lifelong customer regardless of price.

Stevez - 7/14/2010 9:01:20 AM

0 Boost

Although I am a Toyota/Lexus fanboy, I have to admit, Hyundai's these days are VERY NICE! I know that most fanboys don't say these kind of things but c'mon guys...Face the truth, Hyundai is way up there in quality and nothing is stopping it form keep going, so if you can't face the truth they you shouldn't be here. Believe me I love my Lexus' Toyotas and Fords (odd mix), but I have to admit, Hyundai is starting to nice quality and expensive looking cars for less.
Stevez

Whelan - 7/14/2010 9:20:48 AM

+2 Boost

As much as I don't think that comment has any validity made in the commercial (I've seen it several times and cock my head when that part comes up). I think if these were "real" people driving Hyundai's and not actors that something so retarded could be said out loud. I like the Sonata and many of the new Benz's but to claim a Sonata is better than MB, nope. Maybe it's competition like Ford or Chevy or Toyota.

So with a grain of salt I take the comment as it could have gone one of two ways:

1) actors who were told to drive the car and give impressions, no scripting. They picked the best ones and after hearing this guy had to put it in the mercial.

2) "real" people who gave impressions and hearing this again had them giddy to toss it in the advertisement.

Either way it is the last comment made before the cut-out in the ad so you know they were just trying to jab at MB.

david999 - 7/14/2010 10:36:56 AM

+2 Boost

Unfortunately, I remember the first Hyundai in North America ( Pony) as being a true piece of garbage on wheels. They have improved over the last 10 years, but walk into one of their showrooms and I would find it hard to believe somebody would ever cross-shop it with anything German (other than VW)

als723 - 7/14/2010 11:14:43 AM

0 Boost

I'd have to drive both back to back. I buy what I like... not because of the logo. There are things that I consider before purchasing, like reliability and safety... but if I felt lame driving a car, I wouldn't drive it...

As far as Hyundai vs. Mercedes... I don't think Hyundai is quite there yet... 5 years from now, who knows... but I think the message was that you can get similar features about half the price... They are not direct competitors, but they are both cars with lots of features, and have 4 doors... Many basic consumers don't know all the different models of every manufacturer... they get what they like, and if it rides nice and they get a good deal they buy it.

Note everyone in this world is an "enthusiast"

pushrod27 - 7/14/2010 11:30:53 AM

+3 Boost

I would buy used before I would buy a Hyundai. Perhaps I am too old, but I remember the early Hyundais - little pieces of quickly rusting garbage - amd that is how I will always see them. I don't care if they bought E350s straight from Stuttgart and simply rebadged them, anything that reads 'Hyundai' on it is unacceptable to me.

Spectator - 7/14/2010 11:56:41 AM

+1 Boost

00R...are you sure your not 009 in disguise. This is exactly the type of article he/she would submit.

thstone - 7/14/2010 12:54:48 PM

+2 Boost

Lol! C'mon, Hyundai isn't really targeting MB. No real MB buyer is going to give Hyundai a look. No way, no how.

rubenkincaid - 7/14/2010 7:35:50 PM

+2 Boost

Isn't Hyundai for poor people?