[Equus]

Did you guys see the ads in the news papers about the Embera being offered at 2L less? Plus the usual heavy discounts too! I think its a great car and Hyundai are diluting its brand value here

Probably they will launch the diesel at about 14L and this would be the pricing for the petrol going forward?? I think this is just plain wrong. They should rather market it better. Oh well -- Hyundai are way too bad with Mktg strategies as well..

[goldie_malhotra]

From the huge ads in the papers, magazines, I think they have already tried to market it a lot.

But a Hyundai priced at level with an Accord simply does not sell. The earlier Sonata sold mainly coz it looked bling and was around 1-2L cheaper than the sorrier looking old Accord.

Hyundai should try to price their premium cars at a more VFM price, to compete with the likes of Honda/Toyota.

[typeOnegative]

Agree with goldie. The Embera is a kick-arse car. But in India, maybe worldwide too I cant see people stomaching a price that puts it in the league of the Accords and Camrys. Nahi chalega types. It can take on the Civic pretty well though.

[tsk1979]

Its actually 12.45L - 90K gift and 20K exchange bonus, taking total price to little above 11L ex showroom
http://www.hyundai.co.in/presspop.as...ason%20Bonanza

[adarsh76]

Yes, Sonata doesnt have a brand image that of Accord. But again one more point. Although the car will look luxurious from exterior its interior is a disappointment. The interiors of Sonata doesnt have a luxury feel as well as less features such as controls in the steering wheel, rear reading lamps etc. The car has to get more appeal in the interior.

The Sonata CRDi due to be launched by year end may boost its sales.

[goldie_malhotra]

Originally Posted by adarsh76

The Sonata CRDi due to be launched by year end may boost its sales.

Lets hope they price this one well - more in the range of the Octy's and they might be able to take that share away from Skoda.

[speedzak]

The Sonata embera is a sad story!
The last generation Soantas sold well (That too was limited to a small period only) due to the bells and whistles which it had a lot in a cheap imitated form.

The Embera for sure is a far better car than the last Sonata. But it wont do here well due to obvious reasons. They've priced the car way too high in the same Accord price category without possessing any of it's brand strengths. A Hyundai doesn't possess the sheer image of a Honda. Everybody knows it. And even Indians are aware of it.

So, what Hyundai should is the same they do in other countries. They should make their cars a VFM option amongst the Big brand cars. Yes, they price their cars way less than Hondas and Toyotas. upto such an extent that even they have to cut their prices due to Hyundai.

Here, they always had to do this in a later stage for their upper segment cars. They did this first in old Sonata. Then with Elantra. And now having the same experience with Embera.
Why dont they just price their worth in the launch itself. Once the car doesn't sell, it's brand image takes a nose dive. And once it's done, even truck loads of price cuts will make the Janta ignore it. And that's what exactly happening now to these upper sement cars of Hyundai.

[Equus]

Originally Posted by speedzak

The Sonata embera is a sad story!
The last generation Soantas sold well (That too was limited to a small period only) due to the bells and whistles which it had a lot in a cheap imitated form.

The Embera for sure is a far better car than the last Sonata. But it wont do here well due to obvious reasons. They've priced the car way too high in the same Accord price category without possessing any of it's brand strengths. A Hyundai doesn't possess the sheer image of a Honda. Everybody knows it. And even Indians are aware of it.

So, what Hyundai should is the same they do in other countries. They should make their cars a VFM option amongst the Big brand cars. Yes, they price their cars way less than Hondas and Toyotas. upto such an extent that even they have to cut their prices due to Hyundai.

Here, they always had to do this in a later stage for their upper segment cars. They did this first in old Sonata. Then with Elantra. And now having the same experience with Embera.
Why dont they just price their worth in the launch itself. Once the car doesn't sell, it's brand image takes a nose dive. And once it's done, even truck loads of price cuts will make the Janta ignore it. And that's what exactly happening now to these upper sement cars of Hyundai.

Hmm, what happens when Verna sales dip?

[elf]

In the States, Hyundai always had a Value for Money (VFM) angle to their marketing.

The first US generation Sonata was pitched against the Honda Accord & Toyota Camry, but it offered a 3.0L V6, leather, a 6-disc CD player & loads of other goodies, against 2.4L I4 engines, fabric upholstery, & a generally lower state of trim & options from the competition. It was also priced about US$1500 - 3000 lower.

It didn't do fantastically - Accords & Camrys still went by the bucketloads, but it sold in reasonably decent numbers.

Hyundai's main problem globally is it's lack of image, poor styling & often shaky build quality - which they try to make up with fancy gee-gaws & pricing.

In India, price pitching the Sonata against the Accord is just plain stupid.

[vikrantw1]

Agree with Speedzak. Hyundai should follow strategies same as it does in USA - a segment higher car for the same price as the one lower - like the sonata viz a viz the civic etc.(After huge discounts - though priced similarly in terms of sticker price) And to counter the american cars - which are priced low as well have a brand like Kia - which actually is the only one I think that has a sub 10K $ car in the US market - in a market where the corolla starts around 13K and the chevy aveo is around 11.5K.

Of course where they also win out is in 0% financing ( something that we are just seeing this season by Mitsubishi and Toyota) - while Honda and Toyota follow the low rate financing but not 0%

[normally_crazy]

In August , in Mumbai the offer was -

2 Lacs off
1 Plasma TV 42 " - free
1 LCD TV - free

[hyper-VTEC]

I was wondering that even if they are selling the Sonata for a bit over 11L doesnt buying the Civic makes more sense. I would definitely like to own a H badge, a Honda not a Hyundai.

[elf]

Guess they're finally getting their marketing strategy right - pitching the Sonata against the Civic. At that price & competition, it would probably be a great buy.

[bugatti]

Hyundais' in the US are very nicely equipped compared to hondas and toyotas. But after the hyundai quality in fiasco in 95 or 96? hyundai initiated the 10 year powertrain warranty. That blew the competition and convinced many people to consider this car. Even porsche offers only 6 years on the powertrain. Hyundai is working quite hard to be considered a good competitor to honda and toyota. It also recently launched its first luxury vehicle in the US. Maybe it should sell it under a different badge.

Originally Posted by elf

In the States, Hyundai always had a Value for Money (VFM) angle to their marketing.

The first US generation Sonata was pitched against the Honda Accord & Toyota Camry, but it offered a 3.0L V6, leather, a 6-disc CD player & loads of other goodies, against 2.4L I4 engines, fabric upholstery, & a generally lower state of trim & options from the competition. It was also priced about US$1500 - 3000 lower.

It didn't do fantastically - Accords & Camrys still went by the bucketloads, but it sold in reasonably decent numbers.

Hyundai's main problem globally is it's lack of image, poor styling & often shaky build quality - which they try to make up with fancy gee-gaws & pricing.

In India, price pitching the Sonata against the Accord is just plain stupid.