South Korean politics shows that Hyundai-Kia will not be able to keep low costs per unit for long. Most likely korean labor organizations will eventually win out, but unlike American unions Korean labor is very noble. Labor had to start from scratch and dig themselves out of brutal working conditions. One of SK's most contreversial movies is based on that labor struggle.
Hyundai climbed to #4 for the month of July in Australia (up a staggering 65% compared to July 2008) although they remain 5th for the year to date (up by about 15% on 2008 overall): that's behind Toyota, Holden (GM), Ford and Mazda in that order. It looks to me like a lot of fleet buying is shifting over to Hyundai.
Seems to be predominantly on the back of the Getz, i30 and their SUVs, the only manufacturer to see an increase in SUV sales here for 2009. I guess some people want cheaper cars but just can't bring themselves to give up the SUV.
At least the i30 is reportedly a reasonable car, but the massive numbers of the Getz and Santa Fe that will be clogging up the roads is a bit depressing.
I wonder if its just a coincidence that 6 of the top 10 automakers are controlled by their multigenerational founding families?
(Hyundai-Kia, Peugeot-Citroen, Ford, Suzuki, Toyota, VW to an extent)- bring it to 7 out of 10 if you include the Honda family's sizeable shareholding, though none hold management roles.
Is it that firms with family backing take a longer-range view of things than simply the next quarter's results, or is it just seeing a pattern that isn't there?
I really hope GM catches Toyota and we get a decent return on our "tax-payer investment".
The Equinox is a good example of where GM's going, a small SUV with a regular four cylinder getting 32 MPG is good. I really like how the Equinox beats out the hybrid Escape, Toyota Rav4, and the Honda CRV for mileage.
GM, continue to build the Volt to keep the pundits happy, but at the same come up with better gas engines. Turbo/direct injection, high compression gas engines are a great solution. I have my Solstice tuned for 320 horsepower and 35MPGS. A V6 running twin turbos for 2 bars, direct fuel injection, methanol/water injection, and a 12:1 compression ratio would be an excellent 500 horse replacement for the Duramax/LS7. On the lower end, the 40MPG Cruz with a DI 1.4L turbo is perfect with no additional costs for Hybrid or diesel.
@bradyb: Interesting setup on your Solstice. Do you get that mileage as a combined figure, or is it a highway number, and what does driving aggressively do to the mileage? Turbo lag and durability could also be issues. GM would also be interested in minimizing its production and warranty costs, so additional hardware and higher quality pieces have their downsides.
My turbo four can get mid thirties on the highway at legal speeds, in a larger (but probably no heavier) car. But the mileage really drops if I drive aggressively or in stop and go conditions.
Does Ford ever include Mazda in their figures? Also, they had Jag for some part of last year, correct? And did Hyundai not exist in 2008? What's up with that?
Way to go GM and your 230 mpg. I hate Toyota for they are bland and smug. Abandoned factories in Detroit. GM increasing production due to success of Cash for Clunkers. Kill the man who Clunkered his C4 Corvette. Corvettes rule the GTR. Blown Nissan-Renault Trannies....
[Brain fries due to Jalopnik stereotype overload, buys Hyundai]
I'm surprised that Renault-Nissan isn't listed as 1, which would make them #4. I think it's funny that #10 Renault barely made more cars (in an off year) than Ford made F-150s (in a good year).
Hell yeah! The official title of "World's Largest Automaker Mispronounced by Majority of People." That's a pretty big feat for a company that's done so much for so little recognition by the general public.
@vwminispeedster, pronounded Si-trow-in: We decided it was "Hoondai" here once. I forget why. But yeah, official word here is "Hunday", it's s'posed to be "hi-un-di" or something.
@FP - Funny how it seems quiet around here, eh?: I use all those variations. I first hear hi-yoon-dai on old WRC coverage and Hoondai here on the Jalop. They are all acceptable in the vwminispeedster household.
Over the last 30 years, I've owned 4 F-150s. I lived in the northwest and owned property. Great trucks, worked hard, took a beating. My last truck was a Crew Cab Lariat. Every single option. It was amazing. I moved to Las Vegas and now have no use for the truck. I sold it and bought a hard top convertible. No use for a big truck. Dammit all to hell!! Now Ford comes out with this and I have to have one. Good bye Lexus. Hello Ford. I've missed you. Mine will be a 6.2 though
08/19/09
08/18/09
Seems to be predominantly on the back of the Getz, i30 and their SUVs, the only manufacturer to see an increase in SUV sales here for 2009. I guess some people want cheaper cars but just can't bring themselves to give up the SUV.
At least the i30 is reportedly a reasonable car, but the massive numbers of the Getz and Santa Fe that will be clogging up the roads is a bit depressing.
08/18/09
(Hyundai-Kia, Peugeot-Citroen, Ford, Suzuki, Toyota, VW to an extent)- bring it to 7 out of 10 if you include the Honda family's sizeable shareholding, though none hold management roles.
Is it that firms with family backing take a longer-range view of things than simply the next quarter's results, or is it just seeing a pattern that isn't there?
08/18/09
And they are the largest producers of diesels sold in the USA. With manual or DSG in almost all the cars they sell.
Koinki-Dink? I Think Knot.
08/18/09
Hosers.
08/18/09
08/18/09
08/18/09
.:R baby!
Xoom...
08/18/09
The Equinox is a good example of where GM's going, a small SUV with a regular four cylinder getting 32 MPG is good. I really like how the Equinox beats out the hybrid Escape, Toyota Rav4, and the Honda CRV for mileage.
GM, continue to build the Volt to keep the pundits happy, but at the same come up with better gas engines. Turbo/direct injection, high compression gas engines are a great solution. I have my Solstice tuned for 320 horsepower and 35MPGS. A V6 running twin turbos for 2 bars, direct fuel injection, methanol/water injection, and a 12:1 compression ratio would be an excellent 500 horse replacement for the Duramax/LS7. On the lower end, the 40MPG Cruz with a DI 1.4L turbo is perfect with no additional costs for Hybrid or diesel.
08/19/09
My turbo four can get mid thirties on the highway at legal speeds, in a larger (but probably no heavier) car. But the mileage really drops if I drive aggressively or in stop and go conditions.
08/18/09
08/18/09
LALALALALA NOT LISTENING
08/18/09
[Brain fries due to Jalopnik stereotype overload, buys Hyundai]
08/18/09
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08/18/09
But I think Ford will win the next round.
08/18/09
One thing is for sure, it won't be GM.
08/13/09