Why did Hyundai feel they needed Kia here in the US (are they even sold anywhere else?) They sell rebadged Hyundais for slightly cheaper, and have no clear image here. Both brands are seen as building cheap and well equipped Korean cars with a 100K warranty. For most people they are interchangeable brands - I'd bet 90% of Kia buyers would buy a Hyundai instead. So why is Hyundai wasting their resources on Kia, when a premium brand seems like a better use?

 

Kia was going under, and the South Korean government forced Hyundai to buy Kia. This was so their economy would stay thriving.

 

I think they will try and eventually make Hyundai more of a Mercury/Pontiac/Buick type brand

 

Hyundai will become a more luxury company Toyota/Lexus like, while Kia becomes a more sporty, Mazda type company.

 

I needed a laugh. Thanks!

 

I can understand where you're coming from with the laughing, but think about Toyota, Honda, Datsun... These were all seen as purveyors of junk a few decades ago. Hyundai is not a company to underestimate in my estimation

 

Laugh...thats what GM did when Toyota thought they could make a "luxury" car with Lexus. 15 years ago, to tell someone that Lexus would one day not only skip right over Caddy, but head right for the pillars of luxury from Europe, I bet it would get teh same laugh.

Hyundai is showing off its new RWD, V8 powerd luxury sedan at NYIAS tomorrow...well, today. Hyundai is making leaps in image and quality ratings. Thing is, Toyota is not laughing. They are ready for serious competition from these little Korean companies. Even Daewoo is making great advancements for small cars for GM.

 

Hyundais may be different, but Kias are still piles. Don't let anyone tell you different. I know a few people who bought them because they were so stinkin' cheap....and you get what you pay for, without question.

Manual door lock posts that routinely break or get pushed and fall right down into the door so you can't unlock the door again. Windows that pop out of their track when rolling them up. These are brand new cars.

 

I don't agree. My friend bought a 2006 Sportage, and it's a fine vehicle for the money, which wasn't a whole lot. She's had it for about a year without any complaints or warranty issues. (This is better than any new F-body I have ever owned, frankly.) I think KIA has one of those really long warranties, as well. So far, she hasn't needed it.

The vehicle drives well, has adequate power with the V-6, and is very comfortable and relaxing to drive on a trip. We took it San Diego-Las Vegas a few months ago. Pretty roomy inside, the seats fold down, etc. Not a bad vehicle at all for the money. Looks good for a crossover, too. Just my $.02.

 

 

I did some testing for a company in California before the release of the current Kia Optima and Sedona minivans. We met with some folks from the Kia engineering team and provided input on the cars.

While I still hated the cars from an appearance standpoint, they were very impressive. Even in pre-production stages, I perceived the quality of materials and fit/finish to be higher than any Chevrolet product I've driven.

KMA (Kia Motors America) is hot on the heels of the sedan and minivan market, and as of recent, Hyundai is taking a nip at the heels of the luxury players. I don't see them posing immediate threat, but they are slowly wooing the same buyers that are also considering American products.

 

Isn't there a new trade agreement in place for hyundai that reduces or gets rid of tariffs on cars shipped to the states? That would sure make it a little easier for them to get a foot in the luxury market.

 

Yeah, US dropped tarfits on vehicles from S.Korea. Good news for GM as well, as Daewoo is burning up the charts, making a LOT of money recently. 800% in profit for 2006 they said?
In all honesty, purchase of Daewoo was the best thing GM has done in the past 50 years.