Hyundai and Kia planning to move upmarket in the US

Hyundai and Kia planning to move upmarket in the US

Apart from increasing market share in recent years, Hyundai and Kia are planning to release more prestige-class offerings in the US, reports Automotive News.

Kia will launch the Cadenza (K7 in Korea), a premium front-wheel-drive sedan next summer in the US, and there is speculation that its rear-wheel-drive flagship (K9 in Korea and also called Quoris in other markets) has been approved for Stateside sales.

The report further reveals that Hyundai is updating its Genesis and Equus (pictured) luxury sedans, both of which are due to go on sale there within the next couple of years. A rear-wheel-drive 3 Series rival, said to be based on the Genesis Coupe‘s platform, is also rumoured to be in the pipeline.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Hyundai De la Junk on Aug 16, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    OMG ! MB S Class Ripped Off.

    So all korean fandog need to do is buy a MB logo & stick it not many would see the difference LOL..

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    • Looks like Maybach mix with S class ! that kind of money,i rather go for the BMW,Audi or Mercedes…

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      • No worries,they will only sell this to developed North Americans….they wont be selling to non developed countries like us due to our mentality ; )

        So u can just keep to your current brand

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    • 1Malaysia on Aug 17, 2012 at 12:15 am

      korean passionless crap…

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  • Leo Gallante on Aug 16, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    If I can get into a Gnesis coupe in Malaysia, I WILL DIE FOR HAPPINESS :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Enhanced Vehicle on Aug 16, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    When you have reached certain market share, you need to explore market where you can yield higher margin…

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  • Santosh Rajkumar on Aug 16, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    This made me smile. Stuff about this manufacturer always makes me do that. An yong, Hyundai! Respect.

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  • ss427 on Aug 16, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    To those who still believes Korean cars are junk, well please take note that even Mercedes Benz top executives, GM and VW top executives all stated that Hyundai/Kia is a worthy adversary and it’s only a matter of time that the Koreans will offer the same kind of products for just a fraction of the cost.

    So Proton, when are you going to upmarket?? Oh wait, you mean you could? haha :D

    I wanna see Proton coming up with something that’s even remotely comparable to Toyota and Honda 1st la…

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    • HyundaiKiaForeverJunk on Aug 16, 2012 at 5:34 pm

      Not enough bashing Toyota & Honda then you want to bash Proton too?? Korean dog..

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  • Bello on Aug 16, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    Halo Proton… Hyundai & Kia are moving forward, why are you still left behind? Still producing low end car? Korean are already upgrading to premium class vehicle! What a shame on our national car maker. Hooray for Korean brand!

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    • ss427 on Aug 17, 2012 at 9:28 am

      Exactly. The fact that Hyundai/Kia are now concentrating their efforts on the premium Euro and American brands instead of grouping themselves against the Japs speaks volume.

      I mean come on, the Korean top brass already knew they’ve all but completely overwhelmed the Japs in their bread and butter cars, and so long Hyundai/Kia keeps up their continuing effort to DRAMATICALLY improve their products with each successive generation (Japs tends to do the opposite these days), their lead over the Japs will surely get wider all the time.

      This is a business stretegy that can be interpreted as an ongoing war as well. In a battle, when you’ve secured your enemy’s frontline, your next obvious step is to charge towards their HQ, where their top brass are residing. You can only win the war when you’ve secured ALL your enemy’s fronts…

      I look forward to that day ya.:) FYI, the Equus you see above is already on the market for a few yrs already. Hyundai is getting a replacement model for it. The current Equus is certainly not the model to do battle with the S Class or 7 series, but it’s a great start. The next generation model would surely be the one to look out for :)

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  • droll on Aug 16, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    this is good for the consumer – more competition, more choice!

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  • To be honest, the picture above does look like a Merc S-Class. Just saying.

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  • Julian Lee on Aug 16, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    Don’t makes me laugh. Korea car like china car where can comparing to BMW qualities

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  • 1Malaysia on Aug 17, 2012 at 12:19 am

    test driven one back in states..
    haha; what a ride..
    floats all over..
    in terms of comfy; so so slight better then camry and still far behind of lexus..
    steering lack of feel; infact no feel actually..

    its only a BIG car and some rip off gadgets..
    nothing to be proud off..

    frankly still far behind of Audi A8.. Merc S.. BMW 7..

    hurm….

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  • At least the Koreans dare to thread into uncharted waters and challenge the big boys, unlike Proton, who doesnt dare to produce anything beyond 1.6cc engine, and rebadge Mitsu 1.8 and 2.0cc engines instead, giving all kinda of excuses eg not big enough market to justify

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  • kusochon on Aug 17, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    hahaha now they copy mercedes pulak

    kimchi quality there

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  • Just me on Aug 17, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    Malaysia has Toyota K9, any of you seen this before? It is Police Toyota Hilux with printed K9 UNIT on it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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