Report: Hyundai Not Expected to Create Luxury Brand

[AF News Desk]

According to an article from Automotive News, Hyundai has quelled any speculation of the company turning their luxury platforms - the Genesis and Equus - into a brand similar to Lexus and Infiniti.

Originally Posted by Hans Greimel, Automotive News - 4/1/11

SEOUL, South Korea -- Hyundai Motor Co. has ruled out spinning off the Genesis or Equus nameplates to create an independent premium brand along the lines of Lexus or Infiniti, partly because of the enormous cost involved and possible image damage to sibling nameplates.

"There are no plans for Hyundai to make a separate brand," Vice Chairman Shin Jong-Woon said in an interview today at the carmaker's headquarters here.

Shin didn't elaborate on Hyundai's decision to keep the top-tier Genesis and Equus nameplates in the Hyundai family. But his comments counter speculation in recent months that South Korea's biggest automaker would follow Japanese rivals in creating an upscale line.

Hyundai considered such a move but ultimately decided against it, spokesman Frank Ahrens said. Executives worried it would cost too much and undermine the image of other models at a time when Hyundai is trying to position the entire lineup as "modern premium."

"It's expensive. Dealerships, marketing, all those things. You don't just spin it off at no cost," Ahrens said.

"Secondly, you've heard us talk a great deal about trying to raise the brand perception. And that's perception for all the vehicles. So how would it help the brands if we were to cut off our top level? We are hoping they will help lift the whole brand."

Hyundai has made rapid advances in quality in recent years. But executives say there is a big gap between their vehicles' actual and perceived quality. Lifting the perception is a top priority.

A more realistic -- and cost-effective -- alternative to building a new brand would be simply fleshing out Hyundai's upper range with additional models and variants, Ahrens said.

Shin declined to say whether Hyundai might resurrect the idea of a new brand in the future.

Carving out luxury lines from existing brands has met mixed success.

Toyota Motor Corp. scored big by rolling out the Lexus brand in 1989. It is now the best-selling premium brand in the United States, outpacing both Mercedes and BMW. But Honda's Acura brand, the first of the Japanese spinoffs in the United States, has had trouble gaining traction.

Sales of the Korea-built Genesis were up 23 percent to 4,224 units in the year through February. The Equus, Hyundai's highest priced entry, was launched last fall in the United States.

It sold 487 units in the first two months.

You can reach Hans Greimel at [email protected].

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...#ixzz1IIMg9JiU

What do you all think? Do you think branching out would be a positive decision for the company or do you agree that keeping the Hyundai name as it is will be the most beneficial to the company?

[speediva]

Well, I can see both sides of the coin. A whole new brand and image might be more desirable to the typical luxury owner (couldn't DREAM of having a HYUNDAI in the 3-car garage!). But it could be helpful to have some top-of-the-line models to take the stigma out of the Hyundai name. I haven't yet seen an Equus, but I've heard it's quite awe-inspiring. I also heard it has a different badge than the rest of the Hyundai lineup - so what's the deal with that?

[curtis73]

They really came close to the mark with the Genesis in my opinion, but its like the rookie boxer getting a KO in his first title fight. The scrutiny will be on Hyundai for a decade and maybe its a playground fight they don't want to start. Could be a smart move... stay under the radar so they aren't under the microscope.

[jon@af]

I'd have to agree with Curtis on this one. I think Hyundai has been doing a great job in recent years of building their brand recognition to the point where it may soon be just as popular a choice as many of the other manufacturers. They obviously want to compete, but I think at this point doing so would put them in a light that might get too hot too soon.